Chapter 1: A Drive Through Uncertainty

As we cruised along the coastal highway, Mia remarked, “You’d think they’d have built enough condos by now.” I was gazing out the window, only half-listening to her thoughts on real estate as we passed through a series of unremarkable small towns.

“These towns should attract as many residents as possible,” I replied. “Most folks are just going to turn them into vacation homes. Better than leaving entire neighborhoods empty for nine months out of the year.”

“That’s a valid point.”

“I know.”

“Being smug isn’t exactly appealing.”

“Honestly, nothing about me is particularly attractive, so it suits.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“If you believe that, you should pull over so I can take the wheel.”

“Why’s that?”

“Clearly, you need glasses.”

“Be quiet,” she said playfully, her smile betraying her annoyance.

Just as I was about to return to my musings, she eased the car to a stop. “What’s going on?” I inquired.

“The fog’s rolling in,” she replied.

Indeed, the fog was creeping in from the lake. It moved in a strange manner; rather than crashing like a wave, it seemed to slither through the air, wrapping around the cars as it enveloped the town. It felt as if a ghostly giant was reaching out to grasp the village.

“Spooky,” was all I could muster, captivated by the phenomenon.

“Right?” Mia said.

Before long, the fog thickened to the point where we could barely see the front of the car. “I need to pull over,” Mia announced, parking on the roadside with a crunch of gravel beneath us. As we exited the car, it became clear we weren't alone; we could hear at least ten other vehicles stopping nearby.

A chorus of doors opened and closed as people emerged. A nearby couple approached us. The man had the air of a TV detective, while his companion looked like she could be his on-screen partner.

“This fog is insane, right?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” I replied.

“It came out of nowhere,” his wife added. “I’ve never seen it this thick.”

“Are you local?” I queried.

“Yep,” he nodded. “Not much point in hanging around here. It could be dangerous on the road. There’s a grocery store up the way…”

Suddenly, screams pierced the air from the direction of the beach. Swimmers began sprinting past us.

“What do you think that’s about?” the man wondered.

“Sharks?” I suggested.

His hearty laughter echoed, a deep, rolling sound that could travel for miles. Given that we were on the shores of the Great Lakes, the idea of sharks was laughable.

Yet the chaos continued as more people ran, screams filling the air. One girl dashed past us, panic-stricken, repeating, “They’re coming! They’re coming!”

Mia attempted to console her, but the girl bolted away, more terrified than ever. “That was strange,” Mia commented.

More individuals rushed by, all screaming.

I peered into the fog. Unless someone was within arm's reach, I couldn't see anything beyond the veil. Then things shifted.

Dark shapes began to emerge from the mist, moving slowly. Without a point of reference, their size and speed were impossible to gauge.

The man, looking like a cop, opened his mouth to speak, but a pale gray hand with three long fingers rested on his shoulder. Shock momentarily replaced fear as he and his partner were yanked into the fog.

Mia seized my hand, pulling me from my stupor, and we ran.

We ran like we were being chased by a nameless horror, which was precisely what was happening.

Despite my lack of athleticism, and Mia’s preference for yoga, we sprinted, navigating obstacles that appeared only moments before.

Fueled by adrenaline, we stumbled upon a small grocery store. It seemed as good a refuge as any, although the glass doors wouldn’t provide much protection.

Inside, life continued as usual, but as Mia entered, the bustling atmosphere halted. Cashiers paused mid-transaction, frozen in fear as screams echoed from outside.

The fog swelled at the entrance, a solid wall of white mist. Hope faded when dark figures appeared, moving with the same deliberate slowness we had witnessed at the beach.

One figure pressed its three-fingered hand against the glass door, and in an instant, it shattered.

Panic erupted as shoppers dropped their items and rushed toward the back exit.

I followed, but Mia pulled me to a counter near the entrance. It was a wise choice, as the fog surged inside, and the figures trailed the frantic fleeing shoppers.

They glided past us, allowing us to slip out through the shattered door, careful to avoid the glass.

Outside, the fog engulfed us. I could no longer see Mia; without her hand in mine, I would have been utterly lost. I couldn’t even see my own feet.

Completely disoriented in the fog, I struggled to breathe, choking on the thick mist.

We ran.

And ran.

There was nowhere to escape.

We continued until my legs gave out.

I gasped for air.

I couldn’t hear Mia anymore, even though we were still connected.

The fog consumed everything.

Then I felt it: the hand on my shoulder. That same gray hand.

Silence enveloped me as I was pulled into the fog.

Chapter 2: Into the Fog

The first video title is INTO THE FOG - Jam In The Van (Full Set Live in Austin, TX 2022). This performance captures the essence of the eerie atmosphere described in the story, showcasing the band’s haunting melodies that resonate with the themes of uncertainty and fear.

The second video title is Into The Fog - Roanoke, VA 10/19/23 (Full Show). In this full performance, the band dives deep into their emotional soundscapes, enhancing the story's sense of dread and mystery.