"Looks like the rainforest decided to make us... bond."

The event organizer tries to laugh, but no one’s in the mood. Rain slashes sideways like angry whips while wind howls against the canopy above. And the eco-lodge? Half its roof collapsed five minutes ago, so now there’s mud pooling into the welcome tent, and someone’s already yelling about leeches.

Jennie stands stiff in soaked sneakers. Her hoodie is drenched, and her ponytail sticks to her neck. Reo stands beside her—also soaked—but he barely flinches when thunder growls above them like a warning.

A staffer in a poncho points deeper into the forest. “There’s a backup shelter. Just a research shed,...