The fog grew thicker the farther we went. It wasn't the kind that just blurred your vision, it pulsed. Like it was alive. The air shimmered faintly, and for a second, I thought the light from my flashlight bent unnaturally, rippling the world in front of me.
When we crossed the old highway tunnel, it felt like walking through a veil. The temperature dropped. My earpiece crackled with static, and all communications with the base went dead.
"Captain," Rhea said, her voice small. "My compass… it's spinning."
Owen checked his gear. "Same with the GPS. It's like we're not even on the map."
Lance glanced at me. "You feeling this too? The air... it's different."
I did. Every breath felt heavier, laced with something electric, something wrong. I tightened my grip on my rifle. "Stay alert. Whatever's ahead, it's not part of our world anymore."
We emerged from the tunnel, and my stomach turned.
