Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the twilight zone.
The Nature of Evil
Ch. 1
Two nature enthusiasts are out in the swamps of the southern U.S. in the middle of summer kayaking through the bayous and at the same time watching and photographing all that nature has to offer. At about noon they stopped to have a picnic on the banks.
Narrator: "The swamps of North America: some of the prettiest scenery around if one knows how to appreciate it but at the same time one of the most unknown and deadly terrestrial environments. Our two nature lovers have blazed a trail right through the Twilight Zone."
Christopher Hill the unofficial leader and organizer of the trek got up to take a quick look through their photographs on his camera. Chris was the more experienced of the two having been taking similar trips for the majority of his 44 years of living. His friend and coworker Matthew Edwards was also interested in the outdoors but had never been as diehard as Chris. He decided to go on nature treks a few months ago after Chris relentless pleading. He found the trips relaxing and enlightening and finally agreed to go on a day long trip through the swamps to the south of their county.
With the hot sun directly overhead they decide to rest a little bit longer. They listen to a few birds sing and photograph an occasional sunbathing turtle. The sandwiches they made were less than satisfactory but they had to do for now. Matthew picked up his pair of binoculars and watched a small heron land on the other bank. Chris got into position with the camera and snapped a few good shots of it striking at some aquatic creature. "That Green Heron makes 40 birds so far," Chris remarked. A tally of animals seen and photographed was kept because of Chris' obsession with numbers and statistics. Since they started, at four o'clock that morning, they had seen over a hundred different animals and had good photographs of about half. They both were very pleased with the days finds and were excited about what the rest of the day had in store.
Chris was following the tracks of deer and raccoon when he found a game trail. The trail led into some dense undergrowth with a multitude of briars and other unforgiving plants. Chris was excited because the undergrowth habitat had been delved into on the excursion. He motioned for Matthew to join him on the narrow tick ridden trail. Matthew was a little hesitant because of getting lost but went anyway trusting Chris' judgment. As they moved into the thickets Matthew noticed an increase in the buzzing of the malicious insects and applied more repellant.
After about half a mile into the walk they lost the trail. It stopped in a clearing where they stopped and set up a make shift photo blind. Matthew was setting up his tripod when he noticed a slight yellowish dust on the leaves of a nearby plant. Matthew knew it was pollen but that was the extent of his botanical knowledge. He didn't think too many plants were pollinating at the current time but didn't ask Chris because he didn't want to seem ignorant. His thought was interrupted by a chaotic Chris. Apparently a few bees had considered him a threat and proceeded to attack. Chris, who feared anaphylactic shock, ran as if he were possessed. Matthew decided it was funny and began to laugh. During Chris's bee evasion dance a root caught hold of his foot and tripped him. Matthew laughed even harder at this. The bees left successful and Chris got to his feet exhausted. Chris started to pant and so did Matthew from the vigorous laughing. They both sat down on a stump and caught their breath. While sitting Chris noticed the pollen and pondered it. He didn't mention it because he had no idea what it was and he wanted to appear inadequate in his outdoor knowledge. But Matthew swallowed his pride and asked when he noticed it again. "Well to be honest I don't know. But whatever plant it is our lungs are sure full of its gametophytes," Chris responded. Chris liked to use big words in sentences where he admits a lack of knowledge. Matthew, on the other hand, could have cared less about terminology and just wanted an answer but understood that pride was on the line.
After a brief conversation about the different life cycles of plants Matthew indicated that he was ready to go. As they got up to go Chris got a little light headed and sat down again. "Are you alri…," Matthew tried to say but was rendered speechless when he passed out. Chris looked around through fuzzy eyes and started to black out. He lethargically looked over at his fallen comrade and for some reason thought it was funny. He tried to laugh but the effort was too much and he also passed out.
