An outbreak of a Cordyceps fungus mutation devastates the United States in September 2013, turning its human hosts into cannibalistic monsters called the Infected. Joel escapes the chaos of the suburbs of Austin, Texas, along with his brother Tommy and daughter Sarah. This one ends up shot by a soldier during the flight and dies in the arms of the father. Most of human civilization ends up being destroyed over the next twenty years. Survivors live in highly policed quarantine zones, in independent settlements and in nomadic groups.
