It is available across the United States, and even in France and Quebec, having been translated to French by Jean-François Ménard, under the title Chemins toxiques ("Toxic Paths").

Meanwhile, excerpts from an investigation led by the Energy and Environment Commission of the American Senate are shown, on the topic of SunRay Farm and biolene, an environmentally-friendly alternative to petroleum, developed by Jonathan Fitzman and Dr. Mark Humbard, among others.

At school, that day, the principal announces the disappearance of Chad Hilligas, from which Tamaya quickly concludes that the missing kid must still be in the woods.

Meantime, thanks to more excerpts from the investigation led by the Senate, it is understood that the mystery mud is in fact the result of an unforeseen mutation of the micro-organisms that biolene is composed of.

Seeing the effects it can have on humans, Heath Cliff (the town where all this takes place) is put under quarantine, in order to restrain the condition from spreading.

The world continues using biolene, manufactured only in the states of New Mexico, Idaho, and Michigan, all of which have harsh winters and lack of vegetation.

[5] Kirkus Reviews describes the book as “a quick meditation on the promise and dangers of modern science that came from an exciting story from school life, friends, and bullies.”[6]