Mere centuries after the international disaster known to some as the Great Turnover, most knowledge of the world has been lost. For those living in Trade Route 9, knowledge of the outside world consists of a vague idea of what the Compounds are like, as well as the overpopulated trade routes that connect them. Kyle has never been curious about the world outside the walls of the Route. He's seen the biters living on the other side of the wall, and has heard enough to know that outside is a dangerous place. He concerns himself with more pressing issues, like keeping the local crime gangs happy and scraping in enough money to live comfortably. That is, until he meets Ella, who always seems to know just a little bit more than what she says. And what she says is telling enough.