In the city of Los Angeles in the Republic of America, Day, a 15-year-old criminal, is wanted by the government. According to the Jumbo-Trons in the city, Day is allegedly guilty of “ASSAULT, ARSON, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OF MILITARY PROPERTY, AND HINDERING THE WAR EFFORT” (1), and there is a hefty reward on his head. Day’s mother thinks he is dead, and Day claims that “it’s safer for her to think so” (1). Day was taken away from his family when he failed his Trial, a standard test given to all children in the Republic when they turn 10. Although the Republic claims to take failing children to labor camps, Day comments that “an inferior child with bad genes is no use to the country” (8).

Day and his companion Tess still check in on Day’s family from a distance to ensure they are safe. One night, they watch the house to see if the recent plague outbreak has hit the family. As Republic soldiers sweep the neighborhood and check for plague, they mark the infected houses with a red X. The soldiers go into the home of Day’s mother and his two brothers. Day suspects that “something’s wrong” (10) because the soldiers stay in the house for over an hour.