himself as something of a knight in shining armor and Alyssa as his damsel in distress, and he learns that the storybook ending of those two types falling in love is very much a fairy tale. The book ends with the two characters on great terms, but a future wedding is not likely. Their harrowing time together brought them closer as people rather than as a couple.

Another thing that Kelton learns is that people in harrowing situations behave very unpredictably and quite selfishly. The selfishness lesson is effectively taught through Henry. He lies throughout the book, isn't afraid of blackmail, and betrays people in order to protect himself. A tougher lesson about people's erratic behavior is learned from his own father. Kelton's father is absolutely convinced that most other people are out to get him and his supplies. He's so convinced of this that he accidentally shoots and kills his own son, Kelton's brother, thinking that his son is an intruder looking to secure additional supplies. The lesson is important because Kelton sees that no matter how prepared his family supposedly was, they still fall victim to the panic of lesser-prepared people.