KNIGHT AS SOON AS I closed my eyes to sleep, I found myself back in the forest I knew well. I pressed forward through the thick foliage, an unshakable drive pushing me to know what was on the other side of the dense vegetation. Despite the familiarity of the dream and my staunch certainty that nothing good would come from proceeding, I continued to push forward. In an odd way, it was a relief when I came to the beautiful red flowers. They were there, just as they should be—deep crimson petals inviting nature to partake in its sweet nectar. The moment I stopped to admire their perfect design, the vines began to advance. Like a whip cast around a tree branch, the vining tendrils clasped around my ankles. I reassured myself it was only a dream. Even when the vine snaked itself around my neck,
