Lap lap lap, the river keeps time against our craft, pulling us through the dense forest. Lap lap, lap, it strokes the muddy banks on either side of us, moving earth in and out of the reddish-brown artery. On this third day of our journey, just past the sun's apex, we round a bend in the river. The forest darkens, the sounds of the river become muted. Our guide, crouching at the rear of our raft, moves us close to the bank on the left, places his right hand on his throat, closes his eyes and produces a long, deep guttural sound. Within a few seconds we hear several creatures in the forest responding with the same unhuman sound. Our guide tells us that we are now entering the Other.

In less than an hour, we witness the first creatures belonging to this strange place.