“If the fog gets any worse it might as well be a thousand miles,” North said. “It’s not normal fog.”

The mist that Sierra could see drifting through the trees had an eerie green glow. There were things moving in it. Hallucinations.

No, there would be no way to drive through that stuff once it covered the road.

“We may have another problem,” North said.

Sierra glanced at him and saw that he had turned to view something through the back window.

“What?” she said.

“There’s a vehicle on the road behind us.”

Sierra glanced at the rearview mirror. She caught a glimpse of another SUV just before it disappeared into a turn.

“You’re thinking it’s not a coincidence that we’re not alone out here on the road to Fogg Lake, aren’t you?” she said.

“You must be psychic.”

“Let’s not jump straight into another conspiracy theory.”

“We’re already ass-deep in conspiracy theories,” North said. “What’s one more?”

“The vehicle behind us could belong to a Foundation team.”

“We talked to Victor and Olivia before we set out from Riverview,” North reminded her. “Neither of them said anything about a scheduled trip today. The Foundation is enforcing tight security on the town. All arrivals and departures associated with headquarters are registered with Lark and LeClair.”

“Could be one of the locals returning from a shopping trip,” Sierra said. “I doubt if the people who actually live in Fogg Lake feel the need to check in with the Foundation authorities or Lark and LeClair.”

“Okay, I’ll allow that as a possibility,” North said.

“Look at it this way—worst-case scenario is that the Puppets are following us, right?”

“Right.”

“They must realize they can’t overtake us, not on this road,” Sierra said. “And once we get to Fogg Lake there will be a small battalion of Foundation agents waiting for us. Whoever is in that car behind us will be stopped and searched.”

“Maybe we’re not expected to make it all the way into town,” North said.

“What?”

“Pull over to the side and stop,” he said.

“What?”

“Now.”

She wanted to ask questions and demand answers but there was no arguing with the steel in the command. The badass cleaner from the Foundation was taking charge. She eased the SUV onto the very narrow edge of the pavement, unclipped her seat belt, popped open the door and jumped down to the ground.

“Get your jacket and pack,” North ordered.

She yanked open the rear door and hauled out her things. North grabbed his jacket, his pack and the tuning machine.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Into the trees,” he said. “We need to get as far away from the car as possible. Whatever you do, stay close to me. We can’t risk getting separated, not in this terrain.”

He plunged into the woods. She slung her pack over her shoulder and followed. He might be overreacting to the perceived threat of the approaching vehicle, but he was right about one thing—it would be all too easy to get lost in the woods.