1815: midnight, deep in the amazon

The young man dashed through the rain forest. He was completely naked save for the gold medal that bounced against his chest. He did not pause, not even when a cloud obscured the light of the moon. When he tripped, the sharp cutty grass and branches slashed his bare skin. With the memory of his companion’s screams fresh in his mind, he scrambled to his feet and plunged on. His pale white skin shone like a beacon in the dark.

This was their home; pursuing him would be like an afternoon stroll through an English garden.

They were gaining on him. Straight flight was futile; evasion was his only hope. If he could hide until dawn he might find the river, then escape.

He thought he heard whispering somewhere in the darkness. He froze and listened. Nothing. But then, close now, strange words sighed in the night. Ignoring the danger, he climbed. He knew deadly predators lived in the trees, but he had no choice.

He wedged his naked body into a gap between two large limbs. Far below, the man could clearly hear voices on the forest floor. He lay still, barely breathing. He clutched the medallion and prayed he was invisible behind the limb.

But other beasts prowled the Amazon.

Searing pain suddenly gripped the man’s scrotum. Feeling as though he’d been shot, he doubled over in agony. He bit his lip until it bled but was unable to stifle a moan.

A bullet ant.

His trembling fingers located the mandibles of the stinging insect, still embedded in his swollen genitals. Assaulted by waves of fiery pain, it was impossible to control his shuddering limbs.

He wedged his body in tighter, hoping against hope that he could remain undiscovered. The medallion weighed heavy against his chest, dragging him down.

He did not feel the prick of the darts, but his pain vanished and he grew dizzy. His vision faded. Hearing ceased. Chest tightening, his limbs slowly grew numb as he struggled to draw breath.

But he no longer cared. From a distant warm place, a familiar voice called.

And then, darkness.