Francisco attempted to put distance between them to give him a moment to regain his composure, but Vicente continued wading after him. Vicente prepared for a final devastating blow, bringing his weapon down with a great force.

The attack missed broadly as the force of his strike caused him to sink up to his waist in the bog surrounding them. They both stopped for a moment to comprehend their predicament. Their eyes once again met as they realized what the other had discovered. They had lost their footing. Each movement forced them further into the wet soil.

After the new situation had fully sunk in, Francisco struck Vicente in the jaw with the blunt weapon. He could tell that the bottom of his jacket was now encased in mud.