The expedition lost its way, straying hundreds of kilometers into the depths of the rainforest. Only one man survived to recount the ordeal, claiming they had been attacked by an indigenous tribe.
The following months turned into a nightmare. Nelka's desperate efforts to seek help from the Brazilian embassy collided with the harsh reality: there would be no further support or protection from her husband.
The marvel of Eustakio's adventure quickly turned into a series of obstacles. The language barrier and the vast distance made it evident that only a miracle could change his fate.
Frank had to quit school and start working to provide for his family—to secure bread, charcoal, and pay off their mounting debts.
Eustakio's friends and colleagues contributed some funds to support the family, but the money ran out quickly. Over time, the insects, studies, and books that once defined their lives faded into distant memories. For Frank, they became relics of a happy but faraway childhood.
Occasionally, letters from the embassy arrived, but they brought no news.
Finally, after a year of uncertainty, the letter they had dreaded arrived: the search for Eustakio was officially called off.
Nelka showed little reaction. In some ways, she seemed relieved. Perhaps, in her heart, she had felt their relationship had ended long before the ill-fated expedition.
After a period of mourning and reflection, about a year after Eustakio's funeral, Nelka remarried. Her new husband was a practical man, grounded in the everyday realities of life. He wasn't interested in grand adventures or distant dreams, but he was kind and steady—a good man.
He recognized Frank's intelligence and encouraged him to return to school, helping him find his footing again.
And so, life slowly resumed its course
