The room is stark white and circular in shape. There are no windows and the walls are seamless with the exception of a silver metal door. The floor is smooth, white, and cold to the touch. The only furnishing is the twin bed in which I slept. The bed's linens are also white. The climate of the room is perfect, neither too warm nor too cold. I am alone, but I have the sense that I am being observed.
The forest is beautiful and serene. The sunlight is streaming through the tall evergreens. And the light morning mist that lingers near the base of the trees creates an almost magical scene. The forest floor is covered in a layer of pine needles. I can hear chickadees singing their name high above. I breathe deeply, inhaling the crisp woodland air.
The path on which I travel is wide. It is clearly laid out and easy to follow because the pine needles have made the path their home. The path meanders through the wood. I am unable to see where it leads. I am alone, but I am not afraid. I take comfort in the nature around me and enjoy the solitude. It is peaceful.
The path ends and I am facing a swift-moving river. It isn't very wide. If I pick up a pebble, I can easily throw it to the other bank. There are no rapids, just the water rolling effortlessly over the river rocks, and I see a leaf being pulled downstream by the current. The sound of the moving water fills my ears. It is all I can hear and its effect is hypnotic.
The drinking vessel is neither a cup nor a flask. It appears to be a hollowed out gourd of some sort. It has a short bottle-type neck and a squat bowl-shaped bottom. It is a deep chestnut brown and has been polished to a high shine on its exterior.
The key is very old in appearance. It is a skeleton key. I am sure once it was a bright, shiny silver. But sitting in the middle of this forest path, it is pitted and rusted. It is about three inches in length and very heavy in the hand. I can't imagine what it would be doing in the middle of the forest. I am truly puzzled by its discovery, and my mind wanders to pirate's treasures and secret trap doors.