Tom and Greg are enslaved alongside dozens of others in Mr Smithson's coal mine. Elsewhere, the Family are desperately tracking Billy, their only lead, across the country. At a roadside motel Billy stops to meet his girlfriend Sally and when the Family confront him, Billy claims ignorance and exits.

Meanwhile in the mine, Greg formulates an escape plan, convincing Smithson that he's a geologist and has discovered a gas leak. However the Family are converging on Smithson's as well with their own rescue plans, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse...

Reunited and on the road, the Family travel south on the look out for a new home. They encounter a small but thriving community of survivors and decide to take up their offer of hospitality.

While Al and Sarah enjoy their new romance, Tom simmers as Anya makes friends with Judy, the community's leader.

Greg and Abby return to Greg's house one last time where Greg spots the mysterious postcard, leading him to an abandoned airfield and an encounter with the disturbed Mr. Stevens.

Meanwhile, Sarah discovers an elderly couple dying from a new, mutant strain of the virus.