In Cormac McCarthy's "The Crossing," a character shares a haunting experience of dreaming about a devastating fire on a dry lake. This unsettling vision recurs, leaving him to reflect on its significance. It’s implied that the dream may represent deeper fears or unresolved emotions, as the dry lake, typically devoid of combustibles, becomes a site of destruction where people are caught in the flames.

The conversation hints at a disconnect between the dreamer and those around him, as another character tries to rationalize the recurring dream with the notion of shared experiences or influences, suggesting that it might stem from a common meal. However, the dreamer believes the dream's weight cannot be easily dismissed, indicating a profound internal struggle or haunting premonition connected to the fire.