A bleak future has settled over the planet, and Gilda is forced to hide from it in a network of caverns in the American Southwest. In the face of economic collapse, widespread disease, and environmental disaster, mortals have discovered vampires exist and that immortality is possible. The rich pay a network of drug-fueled Hunters to seek them out, so Gilda pays three guards to watch outside her cavern full-time.

After a brief meeting with her guards, Gilda leaves the cavern and runs through a dry riverbed to hunt for blood in town. Her return home is interrupted when she senses a Hunter on her trail. He attacks, but she knocks him unconscious with her superior strength. The encounter leaves her wishing for escape from this place; suddenly, the moon breaks through the usual fog of pollution, and she receives a thought-message from her vampire family saying they are safe in South America and she can join them there.

One of her most loyal guards, Houston, approaches Gilda. She explains she may soon be gone and asks what he might do with the time off. Going Off-world is an appealing possibility, Houston says, but he cannot pay the tremendous sum required to bribe his way onto a ship.