Helen Small is journalist at the largest news organization in the Republic of Texas, and a survivor. Seven years after a plague - known as Pan21 - has culled humanity in half, the Republic is falling into a totalitarian state. Survivors - the few who contracted the virus and survived, though they lost all pigmentation in their skin and hair and eyes - are being vilified by William Chaste, the new Administrator of the Republic. An army of Chaste's zealots known as the Grey Alliance has taken on the "patriotic" call of protecting the Republic from survivors, who they believe - based upon false information from Chaste - are still spreading the plague.

When a mob of Grey Alliance supporters murder a survivor, Helen finds herself in an increasingly hostile and fearful atmosphere as she attempts to uncover the truth and expose Chaste's lies. All the while, she struggles with her own guilt at having survived the plague that killed both her husband and son. Amidst all of the bleakness she meets Francisco Stiles, an artist from the barrio in Denver who offers her a chance at a real life - and love. Average citizens and coworkers become more hostile towards her (and all survivors) and she loses her job because she makes people uncomfortable and fearful. Having lost everything, she decides to go to the barrio to be with Stiles.

Tensions escalate in the Republic and Helen is attacked and then arrested while driving to Denver. She is put in jail without any rights or even a phone call. Two articles by her appear on the Republic Voice website - written and uploaded before she was fired - questioning Chaste and proving he is lying. She and the virologist who helps her with the science are announced as terrorists for spreading false and misleading information.

Helen realizes no one knows she is in jail. No one knows where she is. At her lowest moment, she understands that she has to rely on herself....