It has been 30 years since the end of World War III. The terrorist group Mohammad's Martyrs, using nuclear weapons has left the world in ruins. The Middle East including Israel has become a nuclear wasteland. Some pockets of the globe have been less affected by nuclear fallout and radiation than others. The majority of the technology created in the 20th and early 21st centuries has been lost. In the former Continental United States, the southwestern United States are relatively unscathed by the nuclear attacks that left the world entirely changed. During the war, the ruthless dictator, Juan Gutierrez assumed control of Mexico. Once a General in the Mexican Army, as leader of The Mexican Revolutionary Front, he has gained control of the area of the United States that was once a part of Mexico, lost in the Mexican American war and to the Gadsden Purchase.After the war religious sects and cults sprung up in the former United States. Many of the cults are centered on charismatic leaders. One of these leaders is named Joshua. He and his 12 male followers believe that he is the Christian Messiah prophesied to return. As Savior of humanity, he believes that he must raise an army. His army is destined to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. In order for Joshua to raise an army, he must find breeding vessels. These breeding vessels are usually adolescent females, abducted by his followers. When they are abducted he takes them to his compound, where he attempts to brainwash and impregnate them.Though most of the world has been reduced to barbarism, some manage to cling to their humanity. Few communities exist, but most have been forced to become nomadic. Most are forced to scavenge for what limited resources are available. Food and water have become exceedingly scarce. Running water and supermarkets no longer exist, let alone electricity. Millions died in the war, but some survived the nuclear holocaust. Zen is one of the few who survived the war, and has lived to tell about it. Now in his late 50s, he was once a professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona. After losing his wife and children in the war, Zen like many others struggled to survive. In the aftermath he met another survivor named Aurora; she too had lost her family. Their love for each other helped them find the hope for a new life. Together they started a new family.Aurora and Zen had three children. The oldest is in his late teens and is named Hector. The middle child is named Derek. The youngest is 12-year-old Sahara. They are nomadic, having no permanent home. They are forced to carry all of their worldly possessions with them. Early one morning Zen wakes to find that Sahara has disappeared. The three children share a tent and Zen and Aurora share another. After Aurora learns of Sahara's disappearance she scolds Hector and Derek for not looking after her. Regardless of who is to blame for Sahara's disappearance, it does not change the fact that she is gone.