"Good [i]suggestion,[/i] Number Two," Marla said, turning to communicate to Hugo and Marco that they'd continue for a bit before stopping. 

"So, you never finished telling me what your new research topic is. I know you're here helping me on my research, but no reason I can't try to help with yours while I'm here, so have at it. What is it?"

The discussion went on and on, with Marla asking questions and giving observations before they lapsed into theoreticals and picking apart minor details, and it went on until Hugo alerted them that they were docking soon.

"Right, sample collecting time," Marla said with a grin. 

Using an oar to push the boat against the bottom of the river edge, Marco steered the boat towards the shore until it beached itself with a thunk. As before, Marco would anchor the boat to some tree or shrub by the shore and wait by it, ensuring that the four had a way back as Hugo led the two researchers into the forest. Now was no different, and Hugo slipped on a bag as he gave some final instructions to his son before joining Han and Marla on land.

"Let's head in, say, five hundred meters before we stop for samples," Carla said.

Hugo nodded, and the trio set off into the green. The last traces of mist gave way to the damp understories of the rainforest where moisture was everywhere, thin layers on foliage that gathered into drops to soak into the decay underfoot. Around them were the sounds of the forest: birds, insects, leaves, and wind, all combining into a steady song that easily drowned out the river. Soon, it became difficult to tell forwards from backwards by sight, and Marla was thankful for Hugo and his compass.

The trio continued into the forest, stopping in intervals of five hundred meters. When they got deep enough, Hugo retrieved a knife from his bag and started hacking down the dense shrubbery ahead, forging a path through the green. Though the din of the forest remained constant and unchanging, Marla couldn't help but feel like they were being watched, like the forest was alive around them, lying in wait for something specific.

A sharp sound echoed through the air, momentarily silencing the forest. Marla froze in the middle of packing up her newest sample, frowning as another bang broke the air.

"Is that... a gun?"

She looked to Hugo, repeating her statement in Spanish only for the man to shush her midway as another bang sounded. His knuckles were white around the knife hilt, and Marla quickly packed up her sample, righting her bag on her back. 

"Should we head back?"

[@Scrivener]