After a series of devastating hurricanes renders the Gulf Coast uninhabitable, a man named Cohen chooses to remain in the lawless, abandoned territory below the government-mandated Line. Cohen attempts to maintain a solitary existence in a landscape stripped of infrastructure and social order, but his survival is threatened when he is violently assaulted by two hitchhikers. This act of aggression forces him to abandon his isolation to track his attackers, navigating a world where the environment itself is a constant, unpredictable adversary. The narrative follows his pursuit through a decaying, storm-battered Mississippi, highlighting the tension between his desire for solitude and the necessity of confrontation.

This work is characterized by its stark, gritty portrayal of a near-future landscape defined by environmental ruin. The narrative style leans into the conventions of Southern Gothic, utilizing a somber tone to emphasize the isolation of the protagonist. Readers often note the focus on the visceral, physical struggle for survival rather than high-concept science fiction elements. The story suggests a bleak outlook on human nature when stripped of modern comforts and legal constraints, positioning the environment as a central, antagonistic force.