Page 5 of In Darkness and Dank

“The source of the bacteria in the Solimões may very well be this tributary,” Browning said earnestly. “According to Paiva, there is a large lagoon in that area of the forest that the local Achuar people tell stories of. We cannot find it on any of our maps either, but it’s said to be still as glass. If it’s connected to the tributary, it could be the source of the bacteria we have been chasing.”

“You’re saying it could be a blackwater lagoon?” Kittisak ventured.

“Yes!” Hutte exclaimed. “A very still pool of highly acidic water. It’s the perfect environment for the bacteria, one we could try to recreate in a laboratory once we’ve taken samples.”

“Provided that any bacteria present do exhibit a faster metabolism rate,” Browning added.

“So.” Kittisak snorted at the bug again. “We’re going to go up that tiny ass river that’s not on any of our maps to maybe possibly hopefully find this mysterious lagoon that’s also not on any of the maps and find the bacteria there in a magically perfect environment?”

“Oh, yes!” Browning’s bushy brows furrowed. “Oh, but also no. It’s too small for the boat, so we’ll have to go on foot.”

Kittisak wanted to puke.

Maybe this was hell after all.

* * *

They packed up camp and then set off on their new adventure following the tributary upstream. Denninger took the lead, with Bissell and Zimm in the rear, and Kittisak followed with the others in the middle. Hours went by, and they paused only to take water samples and dip pH sticks. Hutte and Browning were getting excited as the acidity level was slowly climbing the farther they went, but there was still no sign of the supposed lagoon.

By late afternoon, they’d only come across a damn puddle.

Okay, so the puddle was more of a small pool, only ankle deep and a few yards across, but it was definitely connected to the tributary. Kittisak waded down into it to collect a sample, and he was surprised when Browning came to join him.

Kittisak had just opened his mouth to tell Browning that he didn’t need him when Browning suddenly pitched forward and went face-first into the water.

“Professor!” Kittisak ran over to help Browning up. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Oh! For heaven’s sake!” Browning seemed more embarrassed than hurt, not to mention completely soaked now, though he winced as Kittisak helped him into a sitting position. “Thank you, my boy.”

“Browning!” Hutte called out worriedly. “Are you all right?”

“I’m right as the rain.” Browning sighed. “I tripped over a tree root or something.”

“You’re lucky your old ass didn’t break a hip,” Zimm remarked from the shore.

“Your concern is palpable, Mr. Zimm,” Browning muttered. He touched his face. “Oh, my glasses!” He felt around the shallow water, cursing under his breath. “Where in the world could they be?”

Kittisak could see a spot of blood seeping through Browning’s pants at his left knee. “Let’s get you out of here and try to dry you off, huh? I’ll find your glasses.”

“Oh, you’re such a dear boy.” Browning grunted as he got to his feet with Kittisak’s assistance. “Thank you.”

Hutte and Paiva had made it down into the pool, and they each took one of Browning’s arms to help guide him out.

“We should keep moving,” Denninger said flatly. He hadn’t shown the tiniest inkling of regard for Browning’s tumble. “We still have a few more hours of daylight left. We should try to find the lagoon before night falls.”

“No,” Hutte argued. “Browning’s hurt. We need to stop.”

“I’m fine!” Browning protested as he shooed Kittisak away. “Please. I’d like to keep going.”

“Come on, Prof.” Kittisak shook his head. “A tree root took you out. You’ve been pushing too hard.”

“That’s hardly fair!”

Kittisak was already wet so he went ahead and crouched down, cringing as his rear dipped into the water. He carefully felt for the glasses, and he tried not to think about what might be slithering around here. He paused when he found something thin and hard and possibly glasses-like, and he pulled it up to see what it was.

It was a bone.

Kittisak had no idea what possessed him to keep pulling, but pull he did, revealing that the bone was part of an arm with a hand still attached. It was rotted away except for some residual skin and rubbery decayed flesh keeping it together, but no, wait…

---