Vedant, a 14-year-old boy, stood with his parents at a Brazilian airport. He was of average build, with skin that was neither particularly fair nor dark, and was on the shorter side. His family was wealthy, which was why this trip was even possible. They were here for his summer break, but it was also a business trip—a research project for his school. He was scheduled to give a presentation on the Amazon rainforest, its unique flora, and its diverse fauna. Since his parents also needed a vacation, the journey was a win-win for everyone.
"It's beautiful here, isn't it?" Vedant said, taking in the sights.
His mother looked at him, her expression tired but hopeful. "I just wanted to get away from the house and take a break from our daily routine," she replied.
"Who cares? Let's just enjoy it!" his sister chimed in.
The Amazon was different from what Vedant had imagined. At least in this part of the world, it wasn't a stereotypical tropical rainforest. There were many mysteries yet to be unraveled. As their car approached the edge of the city where the forest began, Vedant spoke again.
"It's pretty big, isn't it?" he asked his sister.
"Are there monsters inside?" she replied with a playful smirk.
"No, and if there are, I'd defeat them anyway," he said with confidence, trying to impress her. His parents just smiled, enjoying the moment.
They had reserved a hotel deep inside the forest, about a ten-minute drive from the edge. "A hotel in here? Something's not right," Vedant thought to himself. "But who cares as long as the service is good?"
Suddenly, the car hit something. They all got out to see what it was and found a dead deer lying on the road. "That's pretty common out here, you know," Vedant said to reassure them. They quickly got back in the car and continued their journey.
"The roads inside the forest aren't very well-maintained or accurate," his father said, navigating carefully.
Finally, they reached their destination—a four-star hotel in the middle of nowhere. The receptionist greeted them warmly and showed them to their rooms. They were one of only five groups of guests. After putting their luggage away and having a meal, they fell asleep, expecting a peaceful night in the forest.
OR SO THEY THOUGHT