I think your idea is quite interesting. Hmmmm! I was thinking of a backstory;;; is your protagonist a Doctor? Maybe employed by Doctors Without Borders? Maybe she/he was in some wayoff country to do surgeries and encountered some sort of mist or fog before returning to the US? Just a couple of thoughts.

I know that organization has many doners but I thought this one, Odysseys Unlimited, sounded good for your story.

Chrys