Nicky was focused on trying to keep the steering wheel straight, but she felt herself losing control. "Yes, Walker, this is the right road," she said, irritated.

The trees crowded closer, their branches snaking across the road until Nicky couldn't see anything but leaves on either side.

Okay, maybe they were a bit off track. The GPS on the car's screen said they were on the right road, but Nicky was beginning to feel more nervous by the moment. She didn't like the idea of admitting Ken's hesitance had been right. But at the same time, she didn't want to get stuck in the swamplands.

"I think we should turn around," Nicky said, although she was still driving forward.

But it was too late--the car was already slowing down.

"What's going on, Lyons?" Ken asked.

A surge of panic hit Nicky's chest. She couldn't control the car. "I don't know!"

The car stopped with a jolt, and Nicky slammed her foot on the gas, but it was useless. The tires just spun in the mud.

"Shit," Ken said. Sweat creased his brow. "Okay. You keep trying to go forward. I'll go push and see if I can get us out."

The window looked out on a murky swamp below. The water was dark, and the trees were so close that their branches brushed against the glass. All around them, the swamp was filled with tall reeds and murky water. Nicky could see the mud and the muck on the bottom of the swamp. So much for the "road."

"Walker, you're going to get dirty as hell."

"What other choice do I have?" Ken said.

He got out of the car and went to the back of it. Nicky kept spinning the wheels. Through the rear-view mirror, Nicky saw Ken try to push the car, but the tires just kept spinning in place, sending mud flinging in all directions.

Nicky sighed, pressed her forehead to the steering wheel. This was just her luck.

But Ken wasn't giving up. She felt the car jolt. Ken shoved harder.

And all at once, the car lurched forward.

Nicky's head snapped up so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash.

Ken had stopped pushing and was now leaning back against the car's trunk. He was hunched over, his arms resting on his knees, his breathing ragged. His shirt was already covered in mud. He was so close. She could see the sweat on his forehead, the lines of strain around his eyes, and the way his chest heaved with each breath.

"What happened?" Nicky asked.

Ken shook his head. "I dunno, I pushed and the car just started moving forward." He wiped his brow. "You should be able to drive us out of here now."

"Just as long as we're not going backwards," Nicky said. "Guess we've gotta find another way out."