8. The Path

"Huh. Maybe I'm supposed to go there and confront my own nightmares? I have plenty of those."

"Do, um," the Tree asked, "do you see yourself as a hero then?"
"Heh. Hardly. Why?"
"You seem set on finding some sort of epic quest to fulfill, that's all."
"Nah. I just want this dream to be over so that I can get back to my apartment where it's safe, and I can relax. That's how dreams work, right?"
"If you say so."
"Right. So which direction is this 'Valley of Nightmares'?"
"Just follow the path," it pointed to the path on which he was standing with a branch, "and keep to the left. You'll find it easy enough."
"Thank you," William said, "but no warnings about staying on the path, or where not to go because I'll get eaten by ravenous hedgehogs or something?"
"Uh, no," it said confusedly; "Just follow the path and keep to the left."
"Okay. Well thank you for the information and the directions." William waved as he turned and started down the dirt path that disappeared into the trees.
"Oh dear," the tree thought aloud, watching William disappear into the woods, "I wonder if I should have warned him about the mushrooms...?"