THE DEATH OF VALDEZ
After the tragic death of his friend in the year 1911, Archie Westbrook resumed the search for the survivors of an English family, abandoned in a remote region of the Amazon rainforest ... almost two years earlier.
Chartering the only shallow-draft steamer available, captained by a womanising drunk, their search took them along tributaries previously unknown to the captain until, reaching an area that had been devastated by the raging floodwater a year earlier, their search finally ended.
Standing alone amid the remains of a once habitable compound, there is one remaining cabin, undamaged, and isolated on higher ground.
Inside the creaking structure, there are signs of recent habitation. On the veranda is a beautifully carved crib, damaged by recent floodwater, and tragically empty. Placed inside... is a solitary, fresh flower.
With no sound of anyone approaching, they are confronted by a battle-scarred savage, a native spear balanced effortlessly in a mutilated hand, poised and ready to kill without mercy.
Crouched and snarling at his side, is an equally scarred animal, waiting only for the command to attack... and ultimately kill.