Zoe Richards is only twelve years old when nuclear war devastates the United States. She is on a trail ride with her parents - some 2000 miles from their home and family - as bombs fall all across the globe and what's left of society degenerates into chaos. The small family begins their long journey home, but the violent culture they find themselves in costs them dearly. In just a few weeks, Zoe finds herself alone, still hundreds of miles from her home and remaining family.
The world was a scary place before the war, but afterwards it is a literal hell on earth...and Zoe must face it all alone. Robbers and worse await our young heroine, but she confronts each trial with courage. During her travels, she meets both friend and foe; she saves lives and is forced to take lives. Through everything she grows stronger...but no longer is she the child who traveled with her parents.