The Third State: a psychological episode

Elliot Very suspects his PhD committee isnt going to be happy. Hes just returned from an agricultural research project in South America and is missing data from one entire sector-Tapiama-and without it he cant meet the studys goals or complete his degree. But all of Elliots memories of Tapiama are hazy and fill him with a strange sense of dread so hes unable to offer an explanation or suggest a work-around for the missing information. To his dismay the committee insists he return to the Amazon.On the flight to Ecuador Elliots unease increases. After he learns the projects senior agricultural officer was killed in an apparent automobile accident unease turns to outright panic and he soon suffers a breakdown forcing him to return to the States without obtaining his additional data.During sessions with a campus therapist it becomes clear that something traumatic happened at this study site something so dismaying that Elliots mind has suppressed it to the subconscious. Will a return to the project cure him of his fears or escalate into an even greater calamity?