After the PFH outbreak kills her parents and transforms others into murderous machines, Maya Archer flees to a show-home on a construction site with fellow survivors Cameron and Scarlett. For three years she subsists fighting Walkers, never actually killing due to a conscience that was moulded by her mother. The remainder of her time is passed playing on Cameron's feelings towards her, drinking alcohol and eating whatever can be stolen from abandoned supermarkets, grown and supplied by the drone on the monthly drop. When Cameron is attacked by the Walkers, he is rendered unable to collect supplies. Maya elects to leave the site alone, welcoming a death she can at least time, leading to a chase that forces her from her safe haven. After a day of running, she finds another home and meets attractive, unnaturally strong Blake Fraser, his sister Jo, Eli and Dom. Initially unable to return to Cameron and Scarlett, due to strangely exceptional danger and what she believes to be illness as a result of her fatigue and the harsh winter, Maya becomes infatuated with Blake and begins to consider his optimistic and unusual approach to life. Among uncovering lies, battling for survival, drinking whiskey and constructing the puzzle that demystifies Blake, Maya soon learns of the true nature of the outbreak. Whilst there is little humanity left in the world, Maya is forced to question what being 'human' really means, with the fate of the world down to her and a declining group of survivors. Racing to an eight week deadline, Maya considers questions around religion, love, death and her fear for what life holds for her if the PFH can be cured - as well as if it cannot. She is made to understand the difference between 'existing' and 'living' in a world where, doing either, could result in a horrendous death.