June 18, 2025

Stay Hungry - Hippo Horror in the Colombian Jungle!

Stay Hungry - Hippo Horror in the Colombian Jungle!
Apple Podcasts podcast player badge
Spotify podcast player badge
Spreaker podcast player badge
Audible podcast player badge
Castro podcast player badge
RSS Feed podcast player badge
Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon Spreaker podcast player icon Audible podcast player icon Castro podcast player icon RSS Feed podcast player icon

A wildlife documentary crew heads into the Colombian jungle to film Pablo Escobar’s infamous cocaine hippos—only to find something far more deadly. As tensions rise between a passionate conservationist and a ruthless poacher, the real threat emerges from the water: a bloodthirsty pod of hippos that’s not just invasive… it’s unstoppable.

In Stay Hungry by David O’Hanlon, bullets fly, bodies drop, and the jungle runs red in this brutal, action-packed creature horror story.

🦛 Perfect for fans of: The Ghost and the Darkness, Anaconda, Lake Placid, and Tremors🌿

Themes: Eco-horror, survival, predator vs. predator, dark humor, nature’s revenge

Get your very own signed copy of Weekly Spooky's The April Fool !

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Mark Shields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!

🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:05.480
A wildlife documentary crew heads into the Colombian jungle to

2
00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:11.519
film Pablo Escobar's infamous cocaine hippos, only to find something

3
00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:16.719
far more deadly, a bloodthirsty pod of hippos that are

4
00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:23.000
not just invasive and unstoppable, but hungry.

5
00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:29.000
What's that You want to be scared? Come with me.

6
00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:42.359
You will experience tales over opera, ghosts and death. It

7
00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:48.920
is not recommended for the week at our tart listeners

8
00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:52.600
in the dark, It's more fun at that way way.

9
00:00:53.479 --> 00:01:08.120
This is Weekly Speaking. Hello, my spookies, It's Wednesday, and

10
00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:11.840
you know what that means. It's time for a little

11
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:17.439
spooky in your weekly. I'm your host and narrator, Enrique Kuto,

12
00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:22.480
and we have a little piece of South American summer

13
00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:27.760
time terror just for you to sink your teeth into.

14
00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:30.920
But before we get to that, I want to say

15
00:01:30.959 --> 00:01:34.640
thank you so much for joining us as we keep

16
00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:39.680
Spooky season alive all year long right here. We never

17
00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.000
slow down, we never stop bringing you the Halloween season,

18
00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:47.200
and we're so happy to have you here with us.

19
00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:51.359
So make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcasting app

20
00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:55.000
because this Friday, we have a very special compilation of

21
00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:59.000
some of the most terrifying stories we've ever published about

22
00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:04.120
creature of the Night of the Fanged variety. You won't

23
00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:06.920
want to miss it, so subscribe on your favorite podcasting

24
00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:09.599
app and leave us a five star rating on Apple

25
00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:13.599
Podcasts or Spotify. It really does help the program, and

26
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:15.840
if you want to support us in a very direct way,

27
00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.800
you can head to Weekly Spooky dot Com slash join

28
00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:21.479
and for as little as one dollar a month, get

29
00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:24.400
two bonus shows every single month, as well as over

30
00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:30.199
five years of audiobooks and creepypasta readings. That's Weeklyspooky dot

31
00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:36.360
Com slash Join. But as for Tonight, they say hippos

32
00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:40.800
kill more people than any predator in Africa, But what

33
00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:46.120
happens when they escape to a jungle halfway across the world.

34
00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:51.719
Tonight's tale follows a film crew deep into the Colombian wild,

35
00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:55.800
where the animals aren't the only ones on edge, and

36
00:02:55.919 --> 00:03:01.199
some creatures were never meant to leave the zoo. So

37
00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:06.039
get yourself comfortable and maybe grab a snack, because Tonight's

38
00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:10.439
story is all about a massive hunger, and we're telling

39
00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:23.960
it right after this Stay Hungry by David o'hanley. Ella

40
00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:28.800
Scott watched in disbelief as the man passed the folded

41
00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:33.719
bills to the boat captain. Cain Marlowe was one of

42
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:38.280
the most infamous poachers in the world, and last she'd

43
00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:43.080
heard was in a Kenyan prison. She doubted he'd been

44
00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:48.400
released on good behavior. Ella's face reddened as Marlowe went

45
00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:53.199
to stow his luggage, Her fingernails dug into her palms,

46
00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:59.919
and her entire body shook. Keith, the cameraman for the documentary,

47
00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:03.960
stepped in front of her with his hands raised defensively

48
00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:09.439
deep breaths. He said, it's just a mix up, I'm sure.

49
00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:13.960
Ella shoved him out of her way and stormed over

50
00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:18.199
to the captain, grabbing for his collar but mostly getting

51
00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:23.319
chest hair. The short, stocky man whined and slapped at

52
00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:28.839
her hands. What are you thinking, she demanded that I

53
00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:32.959
didn't ask for a manscaping. He rubbed his chest. You

54
00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:37.160
want to go up the river or no? Yes, Ella

55
00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:43.199
barked back to film the hippos migrating, not being butchered.

56
00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:48.519
Goddamn it, Louise, do you know who that is? Of course,

57
00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:52.360
Louise said, He's the guy that just paid me a

58
00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:54.759
lot more than you did to go to the exact

59
00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:57.720
same place. I can make a dozen trips to more

60
00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:01.680
popular locations in the same time. This trip is not

61
00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:05.560
cost effective. I got plenty of room. If someone else

62
00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:09.600
wants to come along, I'll take them too. I think

63
00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:14.920
you misunderstood. Keith chimed in. Ella is concerned because that

64
00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:18.839
man is a poacher. I don't care how he eats

65
00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:23.040
his eggs. Louise shrugged and started up to the ship's helm.

66
00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:28.639
He'll slaughter them, Ella said, this is Columbia, Miss Scott.

67
00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:33.279
Louis leaned on the rusted railing. This village here has

68
00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:36.399
been burned down at least three times since I've been alive.

69
00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:41.879
Human life is cheap. Hippos aren't many men pay to

70
00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:45.040
hunt these animals. You're upset that he is here, but

71
00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:50.079
you use this boat, so you'll tolerate him. I understand

72
00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:54.480
it's your boat, but it's their boat. The captain cut

73
00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:57.439
her off. The hunters are why this boat has a

74
00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:00.759
running motor. They are the reasons. And I was able

75
00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.800
to pay off my debts when your hippos killed the

76
00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:07.079
fish I used to catch for a living. You hate

77
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.040
the hunters, but the hunters are the only reason you're

78
00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:13.720
going upriver to go where you wish. You either take

79
00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:18.759
this boat or you swim. Guess we're riding with the poacher.

80
00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:24.199
Keith muttered, I'm not letting him kill anything. Ella said,

81
00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:34.439
mark my words. After the Colombian government slaughtered the bull

82
00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:39.560
named Pepe, there had been an international outcry to protect

83
00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:46.319
the so called cocaine hippos. Pablo Escobar had imported four

84
00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:50.279
of the animals for his private zoo back in the eighties,

85
00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:55.639
which had escaped into the wild after his death. Without

86
00:06:55.680 --> 00:07:01.000
a dry season, they begun reaching sexual maturity faster. Their

87
00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.079
number had swelled to at least two hundred in the

88
00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:08.879
years since. If interventions weren't found, there would be a

89
00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:13.399
thousand by the end of the next decade. In recent months,

90
00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:18.079
reports had come in of hippopotamus sightings far from Median. However,

91
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:23.600
a local group of activists exploiting the rampant political corruption,

92
00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:28.160
had supplied Ella with satellite imagery of the area, as

93
00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:31.839
well as aerial photographs of what appeared to be three

94
00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:37.920
juveniles several hundred miles to the north. Ella studied the

95
00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:41.519
photos with the same intrigue she had when she first

96
00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:46.319
seen them in the alien jungles of South America. The

97
00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:52.959
animals often behaved in ways unseen among their African relatives. Still,

98
00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:58.079
it seemed unreasonable. Still, it seemed unreasonable for a group

99
00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:01.240
to break off from the herd when all their needs

100
00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:04.920
were being met in the Magdalena River they called home.

101
00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:09.199
If they had been forced out by a dominant bull,

102
00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.160
then they should have stopped moving once they were outside

103
00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:16.959
his range, which would have been no more than ten miles.

104
00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:22.480
The exodus made no sense. Ella needed to film them

105
00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:25.959
in the wild and to figure out exactly why they

106
00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.519
had moved so far. She had to show the world

107
00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:34.080
that the Colombian hippo had become its own species if

108
00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:37.960
she wanted to save them. They'd been on the river

109
00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:43.159
all day. Keith had occupied himself with filming establishing shots.

110
00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:46.960
For the first few hours. Ella had shot thirty three

111
00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:51.360
takes of her introduction, detailing the history of the hippos

112
00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:55.519
in Columbia, the efforts to contain them, and how they

113
00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:00.440
had transformed from an invasive species to a meaningful part

114
00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:05.600
of the ecosystem that they now lived within. Keith wasn't

115
00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:08.799
sure he bought into that last part, no matter how

116
00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:12.399
many times she made him reshoot it. He was from

117
00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:17.519
Indiana and had seen the negative effects of feral hog's firsthand.

118
00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:22.240
The hippos were a lot bigger and more ill tempered

119
00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:26.799
than the pigs back home. They'd started their trip at

120
00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:31.360
the tourist trap in Median The hippopotamuses had created a

121
00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:35.600
strange paradox for the locals. They killed the fish that

122
00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:40.320
provided the basis for their economy and diet, while simultaneously

123
00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:45.159
creating revenue through eco tourism. It was much cheaper to

124
00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:48.840
come see the hippos in South America than venturing to

125
00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:54.279
Africa for a pricey photo safari. Keith didn't see the appeal.

126
00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.399
The hippos did nothing but soak in a river and

127
00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:03.519
immodestly shit for the flashing cameras. It hardly seemed worth

128
00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:08.639
the airfare. While Ella reviewed the maps and photographs again,

129
00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:12.799
he optioned to take some still photos of the vast

130
00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:17.759
array of wildlife occupying the river banks. He zoomed in

131
00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:21.480
on the stone faced Columbian sitting at the rear of

132
00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:25.600
the boat. Hector filled every role on the boat as

133
00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:30.399
he was needed. He was a former farc soldier and

134
00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:35.000
his bear Torso was pock marked with shrapnel, scars and

135
00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:40.279
burns from his past life. Once they made land, Hector

136
00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:43.960
would make sure they were safe while filming. Ella had

137
00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:48.240
of course protested an armed guard, but Luis had only

138
00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:53.120
been paid half up front and insisted Hector go with them.

139
00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:56.919
Keith wasn't sure if the man never spoke because he

140
00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:00.679
didn't know English, or if it was some sense of

141
00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:07.080
warrior stoicism. Either way, the cameraman found Hector as intriguing

142
00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:12.120
as he was frightening. Keith pried his lens away from

143
00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:15.799
his subject and moved to the opposite end of the

144
00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.679
rickety boat.

145
00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:22.480
Don't go away Weekly, Spooky will be right back.

146
00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:30.600
Caine Marlowe stood at the bow with one boot on

147
00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:34.159
the edge and his Rigby rifle propped on his hip,

148
00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:37.559
like he was gracing the cover of a Harley Quinn

149
00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:41.960
romance novel. He looked the part with his Safari shirt,

150
00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:46.200
sleeves rolled up over muscular forearms, and the top two

151
00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:51.960
buttons down to show the valley between thick pectorals. Exotic

152
00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:55.960
oils made his golden beard glisten in the setting sun.

153
00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:01.799
He was a bondye beach Allen quartermain. The only thing

154
00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:05.919
out of place about him was the ragged scar on

155
00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:10.639
the right side of his face. The claws had left

156
00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:17.440
distinctive raised lines from his temple to his jaw. His

157
00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:21.039
eye was stuck in a permanent squint on account of

158
00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:26.240
the nerve damage. Keith wondered if some unfortunate jungle cat

159
00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:30.200
had turned the tables on the poacher, or if it

160
00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:34.879
had been his origin story. Perhaps the beast had mauled

161
00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:39.120
a young Marlowe, beginning his desperate need to kill them

162
00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:44.480
in retaliation. Like Hector, Keith found Marlowe to be more

163
00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:50.840
interesting than the hippos. This is insane, Ella said, snapping

164
00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:54.879
him back to reality. The photos clearly show the hippos

165
00:12:54.919 --> 00:13:00.480
have moved on. This is completely uncharted behavior for them.

166
00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:05.039
We're onto something huge here and crocodile dun dumbass wants

167
00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:09.879
to murder them. Maybe they're trying to go home, Keith said.

168
00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:14.840
They are moving in the general direction of Africa. Ancient

169
00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:20.000
Egyptians thought they were supernatural beings. Ella seemed to consider it.

170
00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:27.159
Perhaps the truth is somewhere in between, perhaps, Keith snorted.

171
00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:30.759
Or perhaps you're reading too much into them going for

172
00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:36.240
a walk. They've traveled over two hundred miles. Ella scoffed.

173
00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:42.559
That's hardly an evening stroll. It's an invasion. Marlow said,

174
00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:46.879
that's what the Venezuelans are calling it. They've got enough

175
00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:50.679
problems without a bunch of hungry, hungry hippos coming to dinner.

176
00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:54.639
So you're going to kill them and be the big hero.

177
00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:58.879
Ella asked, wouldn't be much fun or profit in that,

178
00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:04.639
corrected her. If the herd crosses the border, they'll be slaughtered.

179
00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:09.080
That's exactly what you don't want. If I recall, you're

180
00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:13.039
killing them for their own good Ella laughed, that's a

181
00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:18.399
new spin. I'll kill one or two. Marlowe admitted these

182
00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:22.600
animals are simply exploring their boundaries. It takes a predator

183
00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:27.639
to set some Luckily you have me. They don't go

184
00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:31.840
to Venezuela to be massacred, and I get a grand hunt.

185
00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:36.879
We both win. Miss Scott Keith looked around the boat

186
00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:41.200
and raised his hand like he was back in film school. Yes,

187
00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:45.919
marlow asked, there doesn't seem to be room for a

188
00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:50.279
dead hippo, let alone two of them. The cameraman said,

189
00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:56.679
he's only bringing back the teeth. Ella said, pointedly, trading

190
00:14:56.720 --> 00:15:02.120
in hippo ivory is illegal Internet nationally. Marlow said with

191
00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:06.840
a grim smile. They're not an indigenous species, so the

192
00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:09.720
Colombian government doesn't have a law on the books about

193
00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:13.759
domestic sales. You think you Americans have the patent on

194
00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:17.080
rich assholes. I can sell those tusks in Bogata for

195
00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:22.480
a mint. I won't let that happen. Ella ensured him

196
00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:26.440
the sightings indicate an entire pod up there that's big

197
00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:28.600
enough that we can both get the kind of shots

198
00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:32.559
we're looking for without being in each other's way. Marlow

199
00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:36.679
stepped closer to Ella. You're on the backside of Burke now,

200
00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:43.200
no police ya, no human rights, no fucking Starbucks. Is

201
00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:47.120
that supposed to be a threat. A reminder you're not

202
00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:52.000
live streaming a protest outside of Maybelene. Everything out here

203
00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:57.879
is lethal. Piranha, crocs and acandas and jaguars, even the

204
00:15:57.919 --> 00:16:02.600
fucking ants. Anyone can come into the jungle, but it

205
00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:06.120
takes a special breed to come back out, and I

206
00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:09.600
don't think you're of that stock. He nodded to Keith.

207
00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:15.159
That bloke certainly isn't. Marlowe climbed the ladder to join

208
00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:19.600
Louise at the helm. Ella looked back at Hector wondering

209
00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:22.759
if his role as their protector extended to keeping them

210
00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:28.120
safe from Marlowe as well. The former soldier locked eyes

211
00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:31.919
with her and replaced the strap on his holster, letting

212
00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:36.240
her know he'd been prepared to move if things had escalated.

213
00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:41.639
On Whose behalf he'd have acted was still a mystery.

214
00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:51.320
It had been a long night, so far from civilization.

215
00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:57.759
The wildlife went about their routines uninterrupted. All night long.

216
00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:02.879
Animals carried on in an endless cacophony of mating calls

217
00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:08.000
and ferocious hunts. Every time an animal cried out from

218
00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:13.079
the jaws of some predator, Ella would snap awake, expecting

219
00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:17.319
to see Marlowe carrying a gruesome trophy back on board

220
00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:22.519
the boat. It never happened. Each time she was roused

221
00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:27.680
from sleep, she found the hunter peacefully resting in his hammock.

222
00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:32.759
The sounds of death must have been his favorite lullaby.

223
00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:37.200
He didn't stir in the slightest while she snuck away

224
00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:42.519
with his rifle. They made good time. The next morning,

225
00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:47.039
Keith sat beside Luis at the helm. Ella watched him

226
00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:50.759
shakily pouring a fresh cup of coffee into a cracked

227
00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:56.319
mug with faded letters, despite having gotten even less sleep

228
00:17:56.400 --> 00:18:01.519
than her, Keith seemed wide awake. Now. Ella went to

229
00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:06.680
the top of the ladder. Keith, she called, yeah, He

230
00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:12.160
yipped excitedly. His feet tapped rapidly, and he was grinding

231
00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:15.400
his teeth. Oh, you want me to get some more

232
00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:19.519
bee roll? That would be great. She gestured to the cup.

233
00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:24.160
How much coffee have you had? This is my second cup.

234
00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:30.160
Keith nodded vigorously. Louise held up three fingers. You seem

235
00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:35.559
a little jittery, Ella said, it's really good. Keith slapped

236
00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:40.440
Louise on the back. Folgers doesn't know shit about Columbian blend.

237
00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:47.079
Colombian blend, Ella asked, Colombian blend, Louise said, tapping his

238
00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:53.920
nostril for clarity. Take him before he shakes us off course, Jesus. Okay,

239
00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:58.599
no more coffee, Keith. Ella snapped her fingers, pointing to

240
00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:01.960
the bow. We have work to do. Pour it over

241
00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:05.839
the side. I don't think so. Luis took the mug

242
00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:09.480
from Keith and down to gulp. Last thing we need

243
00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:12.960
is piranhas swimming in this. Go make movies with your

244
00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.640
girlfriend and leave the coffee to the men. Keith laughed,

245
00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:21.039
he thinks you're my girlfriend, Move your ass, Keith. Ella

246
00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:23.799
dropped to the deck and went to stern for the

247
00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:29.319
camera equipment. She looked around suspiciously. Hector had stayed at

248
00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:33.319
the rear of the ship the entire day, but had

249
00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:38.319
seemingly given up his post. A sharp whistle drew her

250
00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:43.400
attention and apparently the captains as the boat slowed.

251
00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:47.799
Did you hear that? Better check the locks on your

252
00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:51.359
doors weekly, Spooky, We'll be right back.

253
00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:55.319
I think you should come and see this, miss Scott,

254
00:19:55.960 --> 00:20:00.440
marlow shouted from the bow. Ella pulled the camera from

255
00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:03.599
the bag and shoved it into Keith's arms. On the

256
00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:08.079
way past. Hector was there, cradling an assault rifle in

257
00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:13.200
his arms and sipping at his own coffee. Marlowe pointed

258
00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:17.599
to the riverbank. You see that, miss Scott, he asked,

259
00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:22.640
Make sure your cameraman gets a good look. Flies swarmed

260
00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:27.359
over the corpse of the American crocodile. It laid on

261
00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:32.400
its back, with its intestines bulging out of its split belly.

262
00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:38.039
One leg was completely torn from its body. A yellow

263
00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:42.039
headed vulture tugged at a strand of muscle hanging from

264
00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:47.440
the stump. The birds stretched the tissue until it snapped loose.

265
00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:52.359
The grass was trampled around the scene, with deep hoof

266
00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:57.559
prints clearly visible in the mud. There are five thousand

267
00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:03.200
American crocodiles in the entire world world, Marlow said, minus one,

268
00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:07.960
thanks to your hippos. Maybe you two would like to

269
00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.960
get off the boat and film that. Fuck you, Marlow,

270
00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:18.279
Ella spat. Territorial disputes happen across species in every ecosystem.

271
00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:23.720
Don't try to justify what you do. That croc was

272
00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:28.359
at least fifty years old, Marlow said, pointing at the carcass.

273
00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:35.079
There was no dispute, dearie. This was his territory. Your

274
00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:38.720
hippos kill him for the sport of it. Funny how

275
00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:41.799
you seem to have such a problem when I do that.

276
00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:47.119
The crocodile has not been dead long, maybe since last night,

277
00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:52.880
Hector said, in an even mechanical tone. We should not

278
00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:57.880
be this close. What do you mean? Keith looked around,

279
00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:01.839
swinging the camera as he turned his head close to

280
00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:07.480
what blimey? Marlow scanned the water for air bubbles. A

281
00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:15.279
territorial dispute, you say, Ella gasped, Oh shit? What? Keith shouted?

282
00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:19.440
Why does everyone know what's going on except me. We

283
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:25.400
moving on or what Louis asked, we were wrong, Ella shouted,

284
00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:29.400
get down here and bring your map. Ella laid her

285
00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:33.519
photos in topographic map on a small table and waited

286
00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:37.720
for Luis to add his own. The others gathered around

287
00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:42.160
to hear what she said, but Hector and Marlowe kept

288
00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:46.519
their eyes on the river. Hippos stay in the water

289
00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:50.319
most of the time, but we'll travel around ten miles

290
00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:53.839
to graze. Ella pointed at a circle on the map.

291
00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:58.319
Our photos were taken here, so we assumed they had

292
00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:02.240
migrated up the Magdalena to this inlet. It was the

293
00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:05.559
only logical place they could be. But we know a

294
00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:10.240
hippo was here recently. The inlet is too far away

295
00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:13.519
for a bull to have wandered. We were going to

296
00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:18.119
go right past them. I'm thrilled for you, lady, Louise said,

297
00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:21.359
But like my mother in law always says, you pay

298
00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.240
full price even if you don't go all the way.

299
00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:28.920
Was your mother in law a prostitute, Keith asked, second

300
00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:32.880
finest in all of Columbia. Louise told him if she'd

301
00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:36.680
have been the first, I'd have married her instead. It

302
00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:42.000
might have worked out better, Hector added, the answer seemed

303
00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:45.920
so obvious that no one looked for another. Ella sketched

304
00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:49.680
a rough circle that joined their current location to the

305
00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:54.440
confirmed sighting. The calves were photographed at one end of

306
00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:58.240
the grays Lands, and we're sitting on the other. You

307
00:23:58.279 --> 00:24:01.359
can't see it on my map because of the canopy,

308
00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:05.519
but yours is hand drawn. There's a large pond right

309
00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:09.039
in the center. What isn't on your map is the

310
00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:13.640
tributary that feeds it. That's because we already have enough

311
00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:16.640
ways to get killed in this country without going down.

312
00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:23.640
Rio dedl mortal seriously, Ella stiffened. It's actually called the

313
00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:28.599
river of deadly evil. You have a river of deadly evil.

314
00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:34.119
Keith screeched, of course not. Louis laughed. It's hard enough

315
00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:37.440
to get taurusts this far into the jungle without scary rivers.

316
00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:42.039
It looks narrow and shallow. Probably someone just figured there

317
00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:45.319
was no point drawing it on. Can the boat make

318
00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:50.359
it through? Marlowe asked, If not, I don't give refunds.

319
00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:54.559
Louis sipt his coffee. You'll both see your hippos soon.

320
00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:04.599
Louise ducked under a branch, careful to keep his hand

321
00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:09.319
on the wheel. The hull scraped noisily against the rocky

322
00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:14.000
banks of the narrow channel. He stood and eased back

323
00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:18.680
on the throttle. Navigating the unmarked river had proven more

324
00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:23.920
challenging than the map suggested. The jungle reached out for

325
00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:28.319
the boat on both sides, swatting at the passengers like

326
00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:32.039
it was shooting gnats. A monkey jumped from one of

327
00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:35.559
the trees, using the boat as a stepping stone to

328
00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:40.119
the other side. Louise watched the foliage to make sure

329
00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:45.720
it wasn't being pursued Alto Alto. Hector called out from

330
00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:50.960
the bow. Something in the bushes ahead. Check it out quickly,

331
00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:57.000
Pendell Louise shouted back. Hector stepped onto the rail, using

332
00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:00.720
a branch for stability as he hopped over a round

333
00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:05.279
boulder and on to the bank. The former rebel moved

334
00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:10.319
gracefully through the brush. He stopped in his tracks as

335
00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:15.799
something rustled behind him. He turned to find Ella picking

336
00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:19.799
herself up from the ground. He should have stayed on

337
00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:25.680
the boat, Hector told her, many dangerous things here. Marlowe

338
00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:30.000
swung from a vine to land between them. He unslung

339
00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:34.839
the rifle from across his back. Hector groaned and signaled

340
00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:37.960
for both of them to stay quiet before moving on.

341
00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:44.000
Ella shoved past Marlow to catch up. The hunter chuckled.

342
00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:50.359
The smell of death lingered, but without the usual accompaniment

343
00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:57.400
of scavengers. Hector pushed through wasiste high grass, stepping into mud,

344
00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:04.440
blood squish up around his boot soles. A hippopotamus carcass

345
00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:09.920
laid on its side. The bones were still wet where

346
00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:13.680
the meat had been removed, and its organs were strewn

347
00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:17.839
from its split belly all the way to the water's edge.

348
00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:24.599
Ornaments hung from the trees like archaic wind chimes. Ella

349
00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:29.480
investigated one of them. Vertebrae were spaced out along hand

350
00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:35.279
braided ropes with conical spikes at the end. These teeth

351
00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:42.720
are crocodilian, she said. The bones aren't, though they're human.

352
00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:48.559
Marlowe informed them, some poor bastard spine.

353
00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:53.160
You're not safe yet, weekly Spooky will be right back.

354
00:27:57.720 --> 00:28:02.640
This animal was butchered, Hector said, kneeling to examine the

355
00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:09.640
bear femur. There are knife marks another poacher. Ella asked

356
00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:14.599
with a baleful glare at Marlow. Jesus the monsters cut

357
00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:19.680
out its teeth, all of them Marlowe said a hunter

358
00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:23.680
would have only taken the tusks. These cuts are ragged

359
00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:29.680
and much too rough for steel. This was indios revenge.

360
00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:34.559
Hector rattled one of the wind chimes. The crocodile has

361
00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:39.319
been revered across the globe since time began. Marlowe nodded.

362
00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:44.200
The hippo killed one of their gods. They got their payback.

363
00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:47.799
They probably took the meat to appease the other crocs

364
00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:53.680
and keeping there good graces. Holy shit, Keith called from

365
00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:59.559
the boat. He zoomed in on the carnage. That's insane, Ella,

366
00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:04.039
I'm not going to believe the shot. He should probably

367
00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:09.000
keep quiet, Marlow suggested, while bringing his rifle to bear.

368
00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:14.799
This was a pup. The hippos will be more aggressive

369
00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:19.880
now there's too many rocks here. Louise bellowed, I can't

370
00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:24.559
slow down anymore. You need to get back on the boat. Hector,

371
00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:29.279
what color is the bottom of the boat? Ella watched

372
00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:35.240
the crock teeth swaying on the ceremonial decor white, I guess.

373
00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:42.720
Hector shrugged like a croc belly. Marlow whispered back on

374
00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:48.720
the boat. Louis ordered. Marlow turned slowly, scanning the jungle

375
00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:54.119
for movement. Ella gasped when he pointed the rifle straight

376
00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:58.960
at her. She watched as his finger moved to the

377
00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:04.000
trigger and took up the slack. The muzzle flash stretched

378
00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:09.119
at her like dragon's breath, accompanying the terrifying roar of

379
00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:13.960
the big game rifle. The ground rumbled around her. She

380
00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:19.480
whirled around to see the hippo dead at her feet.

381
00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:24.640
A wisp of smoke drifted from the fist sized hole

382
00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:30.680
in its skull. Crikey, that was a close one. Marlowe

383
00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:36.440
chambered another round. Good thing I reloaded, since someone took

384
00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:40.440
the bullets from my rifle. No worries I brought more.

385
00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:47.200
Keith screamed as the boat listed violently. Great boulders bobbed

386
00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:51.400
to the surface around the vessel. A muffled whoomp came

387
00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:55.920
from the water, jostling the boat again. The group stood

388
00:30:56.240 --> 00:31:01.200
petrified as the boulders stretched open their wide jaw and

389
00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:07.440
cried out. Unseen members of the pod responded throughout the jungle.

390
00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:12.640
An immense hippo exploded out of the water, crashing bodily

391
00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:17.559
onto the boat's stern. The bow rose up, throwing Louis

392
00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:21.319
from the helm. The captain hit the deck with a splash.

393
00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:27.240
Four thousand pounds of hippopotamus pressed it deeper into the water.

394
00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:33.640
Louis clawed at the floorboards. The beast's fetid breath washed

395
00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:38.160
over him as he slid closer to the gaping maw

396
00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:44.119
on the shore. The others watched as Louis was dragged,

397
00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:51.079
screaming beneath the surface. Keith Ella cried out, you have

398
00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:56.319
to jump. Water rose around the cameraman's legs. The ship

399
00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:00.319
was going down fast. Hippo jaws snapped at him over

400
00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:05.240
the guardrails. He shook his head. I can't jump. Are

401
00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:11.480
you insane? He whined, They'll eat me. You're sinking, dopey.

402
00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:17.119
Marlow shouted, now get off the bloody boat. Automatic rifle

403
00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:21.839
fire masked any reply Keith might have given. Hector sprayed

404
00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:25.599
from his hip at the charging bull. The barrage did

405
00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:29.920
nothing to slow the beast. Hector fumbled a fresh magazine.

406
00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:35.720
The hippo swiped its head once, impaling the soldier with

407
00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:41.240
its tusks. It raised Hector's screaming body into the air,

408
00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:47.279
crushing his torso like an aluminum can. Marlowe knelt and

409
00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:52.720
fired a shot through the hippo's eye. The hippopotamus collapsed,

410
00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:58.759
with Hector wheezing his last breaths, still trapped between its teeth.

411
00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:05.200
Everybody run, Marlowe barked. Keith put a foot on the

412
00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:09.599
railing and leapt for the shore. Ella reached out for him,

413
00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:16.000
and so did a hippo. The jaws closed around his legs,

414
00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:20.640
swinging him to the shore. Ella grabbed him by the wrists.

415
00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:25.400
The hippo tugged on him. Ella dug her heels into

416
00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:30.000
the muck and tried desperately to pull him free. The

417
00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:35.359
hippo gave a slight jerk, ripping Keith's legs off with ease.

418
00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:40.920
Ella cried as she dragged him up the embankment to her.

419
00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:45.680
She was torn away from him. Suddenly, she landed on

420
00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:52.039
her back, expecting to see tusks closing around her face. Instead,

421
00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:59.359
she saw Marlowe dragging her away by the collar. No,

422
00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:04.440
she shouted, She clawed at the hunter's hands. We have

423
00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:08.880
to help him. There's no help for him. Marlowe struggled

424
00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:12.920
to get her up. Get on your feet, Keith, cried out.

425
00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:18.719
Ella wrestled free and scrambled to the edge. The big

426
00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:22.920
female that capsized the boat rushed out to meet her.

427
00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:28.719
A hoof came down on Keith. His rib cage collapsed

428
00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:34.800
in one wet crunch. Jaws snapped shut in front of

429
00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:38.880
Ella's face with enough force to blow her auburn hair back.

430
00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:44.199
Marlowe blasted a chunk from the beast's snout and worked

431
00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:49.679
the rifle bolt. Now can we bloody leave? Ella used

432
00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:54.000
Marlowe's belt to pull herself up. The hunter swung her

433
00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:58.719
by the arm. Despite the uneven start, she gained her

434
00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:03.119
footing quickly and broke into a full sprint with Marlow

435
00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:08.119
on her heels. The giant female charged out of the jungle,

436
00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:13.760
uprooting trees in furious pursuit of the humans. Shoot it.

437
00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:18.960
Ella plaied, I only have one more shot. Marlow answered,

438
00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:24.559
you said you had more on the boat. Marlow snarled,

439
00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:30.440
what is that? Look up ahead? The jungle broke open,

440
00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:35.639
giving way to a sun drenched clearing full of tall grass.

441
00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:40.119
On the far end stood something as out of place

442
00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:46.679
as the cocaine hippos themselves? Is that a mansion? We're

443
00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:49.840
not going to live long enough to find out. Marlow

444
00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:52.719
growled that Sheila's right on our ass.

445
00:35:54.760 --> 00:35:59.920
If you thought that was scary. Just you wait weakly, spooky,

446
00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:01.199
We'll be right back.

447
00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:07.559
The hippo let its jaw hang open, ready to chomp

448
00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:11.800
through them. Marlowe knew he wouldn't have time to line

449
00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:16.239
up a kill shot. He threw himself into Ella, sending

450
00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:21.679
her careening into the lush flora. Marlowe leaped the other direction.

451
00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:26.320
The hippo slid and stumbled as it tried to correct course.

452
00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:32.320
It wheeled around, turning its head between the two possible victims.

453
00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:36.559
Its black eye focused on the rifle that had mauled

454
00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:40.599
its face. It snorted and scratched at the earth with

455
00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:45.760
its hoof. There was no time to aim. Marlowe's bullet

456
00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:50.960
went wide, striking the hippo in the neck. Blood spurted

457
00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:55.719
from the crater. The monster fell on a bent knee.

458
00:36:56.320 --> 00:37:00.920
Ella walked towards it, cupping her hands over her mouth.

459
00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:08.400
The hippo dragged itself along. Its jaws snapped weakly as

460
00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:12.199
it tried to get close to marlow for one final

461
00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:19.320
go finish it. Ella sniffled, put it out of its misery.

462
00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:26.800
I told you I'm out of ammunition now. Marlowe laughed

463
00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:31.440
as the hippo collapsed he watched it struggle for breath.

464
00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:37.039
Even after all of this, you're still on their side.

465
00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:42.159
You still have my bullets. Ella reached to the pocket

466
00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:47.000
on her vest. The brass rattled as she shakily fished

467
00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:52.639
out a single bullet. That's a good lass. Marlowe walked

468
00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:57.119
to her and shoved the rifle into her chest. You

469
00:37:57.199 --> 00:38:01.440
got the ammo, now you have the rifle too. Marlowe

470
00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:05.840
leaned against a tree trunk and gestured for her to

471
00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:11.239
finish the wounded animal. Go on, he said, do it,

472
00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:17.039
end it suffering. Ella loaded a bullet into the chamber

473
00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:22.920
and closed the bolt. You heard the calls, Ella, We're

474
00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:27.840
surrounded by them, Marlowe continued. I can keep you alive

475
00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:31.320
until help comes. I'm the only chance you have, and

476
00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:34.239
you haven't even got that Until you show me you're

477
00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:39.599
worth saving. Kill the fucking thing. Ella raised the rifle

478
00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:44.280
to her shoulder. She tried to sight through the scope,

479
00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:50.920
but tears obscured her view. A long, plaintive wine came

480
00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:58.239
from the hippopotamus before it fell still. Ella watched for

481
00:38:58.400 --> 00:39:02.840
signs of life, but none came. It had bled out.

482
00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:09.000
She let the rifle hang limply in her hands. How's

483
00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:15.079
that for principles? Marlow snorted and walked away. Such an

484
00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:19.679
animal lover, But you let one die like that, I reckon,

485
00:39:19.719 --> 00:39:23.199
that makes you a damn sight worse than me. Fuck

486
00:39:23.280 --> 00:39:27.480
you keep shouting, Ella, it'll distract the others while I

487
00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:31.400
make a run for the hacienda. Ella kept her finger

488
00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:35.519
on the trigger as they crossed the clearing. If there

489
00:39:35.760 --> 00:39:40.880
was another attack, she'd be ready, ready to put her

490
00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:48.360
one shot right between Marlowe's shoulder blades before she died. Nearby,

491
00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:53.719
a hippo bellowed. Ella listened to the number of responses

492
00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:58.360
and shook her head. The calls were coming from across

493
00:39:58.400 --> 00:40:02.880
the POD's entire rain. She tried to guess at how

494
00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:06.360
many animals were out there. The number she came up

495
00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:12.559
with was entirely too large. She'd assumed the hippo sidings

496
00:40:12.599 --> 00:40:16.960
were a secondary herd that had migrated away from the original.

497
00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:22.400
She'd anticipated a colony of a dozen at most. The

498
00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:28.679
female that attacked them was fully matured and larger than average.

499
00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:34.559
A pungent stench disrupted her thoughts. Ella paid attention to

500
00:40:34.599 --> 00:40:39.679
the grass for the first time. Hippo shit clung to

501
00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:45.079
the long swaying blades. It had smeared across her shorts

502
00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:49.679
and bare legs. Ella stared at the small mansion beyond.

503
00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:54.159
It looked like a private getaway and had clearly been

504
00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:59.719
abandoned for quite a while. Pablo Escobar had many homes

505
00:40:59.719 --> 00:41:05.880
across the country. This one looked special, a place where

506
00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:10.000
he was a father and not a drug lord. She

507
00:41:10.199 --> 00:41:15.719
froze in her tracks. Hippos were her daughter's favorite animal.

508
00:41:17.599 --> 00:41:22.280
Looks like Pablo was a regular. P. T. Barnum marlow said,

509
00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:26.599
coming to the same conclusion, he waved a hand at

510
00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:31.639
the expansive retaining pond. A rusty fence lay in ruins

511
00:41:31.719 --> 00:41:37.000
around it. Red algae formed a thick layer concealing its

512
00:41:37.079 --> 00:41:42.320
murky depths. Guess they're more effective than guard dogs. The

513
00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:47.079
authorities definitely never found this place. I bet there's a

514
00:41:47.119 --> 00:41:52.840
ton of cocaine inside. You won't find out. Ella said, Oh,

515
00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:56.880
why is that? Marlowe put his hands on his hips.

516
00:41:57.840 --> 00:42:00.599
I'm perfectly safe as long as you have the gun.

517
00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:06.159
Ella aimed the rifle. Marlowe followed the barrel to the

518
00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:11.559
pond and the bubbles popping on its surface. She fired.

519
00:42:12.719 --> 00:42:16.719
The stagnant water erupted in a geyser that showered the hunter.

520
00:42:17.800 --> 00:42:22.719
The bull sprang up. Marlowe watched the small fortune of

521
00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:28.159
ivory stretch open wide. The pink gullet rushed towards him.

522
00:42:28.719 --> 00:42:35.159
Darkness enshrouded the poacher. His feet kicked helplessly as he

523
00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:40.960
descended whole down the hippo's throat. The four ton bull

524
00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:45.440
let itself slide off the side and sunk back to

525
00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:51.199
the bottom of the lake to digest its meal. Ella

526
00:42:51.360 --> 00:42:55.920
walked to the mansion steps. A baby hippo ran from

527
00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:59.760
the porch when it saw her coming. The door was

528
00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:05.719
long gone. Inside, she found all the furnishing still in place.

529
00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:10.440
It seemed as though Marlowe had been correct about no

530
00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:15.920
one finding the property. The local wildlife certainly had, though.

531
00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:22.519
Ella flopped onto a couch, freeing thirty years of dust.

532
00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:26.599
If she was never found, at least she'd die in style.

533
00:43:28.159 --> 00:43:32.559
Ella ejected the empty casing from the rifle and rummaged

534
00:43:32.599 --> 00:43:36.960
for another bullet. She wondered if any canned goods would

535
00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:41.239
still be edible, or if she'd find some way to

536
00:43:41.360 --> 00:43:45.480
call for help. Ella pressed a bullet into the chamber

537
00:43:46.119 --> 00:43:50.079
and closed the bolt. There may have been things she

538
00:43:50.159 --> 00:43:53.960
could use but she needed to search while there was

539
00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:59.599
still daylight coming through the dingy windows. She begrudgingly gave

540
00:43:59.719 --> 00:44:05.519
up the comfort of the sofa. The doorframe crashed inward,

541
00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:11.639
showering the imported marble with debris. The bull looked around slowly.

542
00:44:12.760 --> 00:44:16.760
Ella ducked behind the couch and risked a peak at

543
00:44:16.800 --> 00:44:23.119
the animal. Years of battle scars ornamented its flesh. The

544
00:44:23.199 --> 00:44:28.480
bull stared back at her and snorted, its jaw hung open.

545
00:44:29.760 --> 00:44:36.159
Ella swore she could hear Marlowe crying deep inside its belly.

546
00:44:37.719 --> 00:44:42.880
She'd been so adamant about preserving the Colombian hippos, but

547
00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:48.119
she didn't want to die either. She raised the rifle,

548
00:44:48.760 --> 00:44:54.000
steadying it on the back of the couch. Tears welled up.

549
00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:59.440
She thought about killing it to save herself, only to

550
00:44:59.480 --> 00:45:04.360
be killed by another one later. It would all be worthless.

551
00:45:04.360 --> 00:45:09.840
Then she broke down, sobbing and choking for a breath.

552
00:45:10.840 --> 00:45:15.679
She heard the marble cracking under his hoofs. The room shook.

553
00:45:16.719 --> 00:45:21.519
All she could see was the blurry mammoth form charging

554
00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:27.360
at her. Someone was crying out for help. Maybe it

555
00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:34.559
was Marlowe slowly digesting inside, or maybe it was her

556
00:45:34.559 --> 00:45:43.920
own voice. Begging for another solution, heaving stinking breaths assaulted

557
00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:55.280
her as it drew closer, Ella squeezed the trigger. Well,

558
00:45:55.360 --> 00:45:58.880
my spookies, that story left a little bit more to

559
00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:03.039
wet your appetite. You never know, maybe we'll go back

560
00:46:03.079 --> 00:46:07.239
to Columbia and find out what happens, But until then,

561
00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:10.559
make sure to check out David O'Hanlon's other great works

562
00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:14.159
here at Weekly Spooky, and also by going to Amazon

563
00:46:14.199 --> 00:46:17.920
and checking out the Babysitter Massacre books that he penned

564
00:46:17.960 --> 00:46:21.400
and I published. That was a lot of fun and

565
00:46:21.440 --> 00:46:24.559
it really brought out a summertime terror that I think

566
00:46:24.599 --> 00:46:28.079
we all deserve to enjoy as the temperatures get hotter

567
00:46:28.159 --> 00:46:31.760
and hotter. So thank you David, and thank you guys

568
00:46:31.800 --> 00:46:35.239
for tuning in and listening. I really love sharing something

569
00:46:35.360 --> 00:46:38.760
scary with you every single week. And if you missed Monday,

570
00:46:38.880 --> 00:46:41.360
well make sure to check that out if you want

571
00:46:41.400 --> 00:46:46.639
something truly terrifying and real, as we covered Carl Tansler

572
00:46:46.840 --> 00:46:50.639
and his real life corpse Brock on Monday's show. So

573
00:46:50.719 --> 00:46:53.239
make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcasting app because

574
00:46:53.239 --> 00:46:56.239
there's always so much going on here at Weekly Spooky.

575
00:46:56.679 --> 00:46:58.760
You don't want to miss it, and remember you can

576
00:46:58.800 --> 00:47:02.400
support us directly by going to Weeklyspooky dot com slash

577
00:47:02.480 --> 00:47:04.719
join and signing up for as little as one dollar

578
00:47:04.760 --> 00:47:06.920
a month. Speaking of I want to say an extra

579
00:47:07.000 --> 00:47:10.400
special thank you to our Patreon podcast boosters, folks who

580
00:47:10.400 --> 00:47:12.480
pay just a little bit more to hear their name

581
00:47:12.559 --> 00:47:14.960
at the end of the show, and they are Johnny Nix,

582
00:47:15.079 --> 00:47:19.639
Kate and Lulu, Jessica Fuller, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford, Brent mccaullough,

583
00:47:19.880 --> 00:47:22.800
Karen Wee, met Jack Kerr and Craig Cohen. Thank you

584
00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:24.239
all so much, and if you want to hear your

585
00:47:24.320 --> 00:47:26.800
name at the end of every episode of Weekly Spooky

586
00:47:26.840 --> 00:47:31.559
from my silky Spooky voice, go to Weeklyspooky dot com

587
00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:34.000
slash join and sign up at the fifteen dollar a

588
00:47:34.039 --> 00:47:37.039
month or higher tier. It really does help us keep

589
00:47:37.079 --> 00:47:39.840
the show going and going. But now it's time for

590
00:47:39.880 --> 00:47:41.559
me to get back to it because we have something

591
00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:45.039
scary for you this Friday and of course Monday and Wednesday,

592
00:47:45.039 --> 00:47:48.920
as always so for myself, for my executive producers Rob Fields,

593
00:47:49.000 --> 00:47:53.400
Markshields and Bobbletopia dot com, for my producer Dan Wilder,

594
00:47:53.440 --> 00:47:56.920
and my composer Ray Mattis, don't mess with hippos unless

595
00:47:56.920 --> 00:47:59.920
they're made of plastic, and only eat those little beads.

596
00:48:00.440 --> 00:48:04.199
Trust me. Talk at you next time. Thank you for listening.

597
00:48:04.840 --> 00:48:07.679
Make sure to find your way back next week week,

598
00:48:08.519 --> 00:48:13.800
but for now you are safe. Trust me.