The Red Lure

Johnny Thompson, a veteran of icy trails and mountain passes, finds himself far from the familiar snow‑capped peaks, stalking the black waters of a jungle river at dusk. A sudden flash of white on the river’s surface spurs him into a frantic dive, only to surface breathless and wary of the alligator’s silent swirl nearby. As night settles, he wrestles with the uncanny feeling that something—or someone—has been watching him from the tangled brush.

Stumbling over a gleaming machete left on the path, Johnny’s nerves tighten when a distant, panicked cry rises from the water, quickly swallowed by the growing darkness. The river’s black sheen mirrors his own unease, and a snapped twig signals that the jungle’s hidden inhabitants may be closer than he thinks. With only his wits and the razor‑sharp blade, he must choose a route back to camp while the forest keeps its secrets tightly bound.