30 years after a supervirus kills most of the world's population, the privileged members of society live in walled-off compounds built to protect themselves, first from the disease, then from the people in the post-apocalyptic left behind. Born inside the compound, Claire has never been outside until a mysterious attack thrusts her out into the "Wasteland", which she has been told is populated by ruthless, animalistic Wastelanders. She's saved by a Wastelander man named John who teaches her to survive on the outside, and their unlikely relationship blossoms into a passionate love affair. However, John is soon leaving to return to his distant homeland, and must choose between taking a chance on bringing Claire into a community that doesn't want her, or leaving her behind.