Sins

I

It was the opportunity of my lifetime. The dream every photographer wished for. The mag “Discoveries” hired me to travel to the remote island of Itauli where an ancient tribe still lived. A tribe that had no contact with the modern civilization. I could not lose this chance.
A small boat took me to the island, which was a paradise: white sand, water so clear that you could see fishes passing by, and a vast vegetation. I understood why this tribe did not want to leave that island. I entered the forest, where I could smell the flowers' scents, hear the birds chirping, the mosquitoes buzzing, the monkeys squeaking, and many other sounds. I was delighted to see so many plant and animal species cohabitating in that little piece of land, and I did not know that that calm would soon be interrupted.
A man jumped from a tree and threatened me with a wooden spear. I told him that I came in peace, but he pushed me with his spear. We walked for around 10 minutes before reaching a stream. There were people cooking meat, washing their clothes, making spears and arrows, and kids were running around. The man took me to a muscle woman with very long red hair and a crown made of colorful flowers who observed me meticulously from head to toe. She must be the leader.

‘What are you doing here?’ She asked me. That is what I thought I heard.
‘I just came to see how you live. I won’t hurt anyone.’ I made signs so that he could understand me, and he raised his eyebrows. I showed him my diary and camera. The leader whispered something to one of his men, and they took me to a little tent.

They showed me how they lived: each member of the tribe knew how to cook, fish, hunt, build, dig, harvest, farm, etc. When the Sun was setting, we danced while they played handmade instruments. I took many photos and wrote multiple notes. Everything was going well. Very well…

II

My eyes were starting to close, and I could not stop yawning. I went to the tent they assigned me and jumped in my sleeping bag. I immediately fell asleep, without knowing what would happen later.
I did not know how much time passed, but I woke up when I heard growls. I decided to ignore them and went back to sleep. However, the growls did not stop and got stronger. Maybe they were wild wolves, so I picked up my flashlight and my machete and took a peek outside.
I saw a two-meter red creature with big eyes, sharp teeth, and claws eating a monkey. I dropped my flashlight and started to run in any direction. The worst course of action I could take.
Those monsters started to chase me throughout the forest. I ran and ran, but those creatures were faster than me. One pace I took equaled two paces of them. My breath was running low, and I did not know how much I could keep the pace. When they were about to catch me, I fell into a hole, and my sight clouded.

III

When I woke up, my body was hurting. Luckily, with some difficulty, I could stand up. I did not have my flashlight, so I had to grope for the walls to not crash against them. I walked blindly, only hoping to find a safe place. And my pleadings would be heard.
At a short distance, I spotted a light, the famous light at the end of the tunnel. I quickened the pace and reached a place that I did not expect to find.
I reached a big chamber or palace filled with stone statues and ancient paintings and drawings. They were perfect as if they were made just a few minutes ago. The statues were finely shaped, and there was no trace of the course of time in them. Surrounding the statues, a big circle was drawn, and red candles had been lit. Inside the circle, strange runes were drawn. What was happening there?
I started looking at the different drawings, but none of them were interesting. In them, the lives and the history of the tribe were depicted until one of them caught my attention.
Scenes of people escaping from a group who were heavily armed. Scenes of people being kidnapped, raped, and killed. I was about to puke and held myself. They were gruesome and horrendous. The last drawing showed caped men and women performing a ritual with the same elements that I had seen near the statue.
Everything made sense. This would make an awesome story, and my fame would skyrocket. If I survive…