David finds himself in an extreme situation in the wake of the intense storm. The arrival of the mist and the horrors continued within it push the characters to the limits of their humanity. The violence, the death, and the loss of hope force the characters into stressful situations in which they must navigate the nature of their humanity and find new ways to deal with the horrors of their situation. For many people, the intensity of the circumstances leads to a need to indulge the baser instincts. Many characters instinctively reach for alcohol, even before realizing that monsters lurk in the mist. As soon as they lose the comforts of modern life, such as air conditioning or access to a car, they abandon the rules that govern social life. They take alcohol from the supermarket and do not pay, drinking heavily and trying to enjoy their unexpected imprisonment. At the same time, many characters argue and bicker with one another, ignoring the rules of politeness that exist in most social situations. David and Amanda even engage in an illicit affair, satisfying their sexual impulses even though both are in committed relationships.