Less than three weeks have passed since the power outage, and the line between “them” and “us” has shifted. Driven by hunger, Umbach is attacked, and while Malte stands up for humanity, others are already fighting an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. How dangerous are the Freyrists, or are they actually just part of the community? Simone’s journey home is becoming increasingly difficult, and people’s willingness to help is dwindling. Will she ever see her family again? How much humanity can one still afford?
The village of Umbach in central Hesse, nineteen days after the blackout. The residents have come to terms with the new circumstances, but continue to experience setbacks. Many things that were taken for granted before the power outage now have to be laboriously worked out. While Malte guides the village through the disaster with the village council, his relationship with his son threatens to slip away. Jutta now drives carriages instead of a 767 and begins to suspect what her husband is really like. Simone is still unable to contact her family and experiences both helpfulness and abysmal ruthlessness. Florian is ostensibly helpful, but ruthlessly exploits every opportunity to his advantage. Lukas can’t grow up fast enough and is open to the ideas of the nationalist Freyrists. Laura becomes the target of religious fanatics’ moral beliefs. Who’s responsible for the burning crosses? Are Ms. Armsteiner and her henchmen behind the attacks on Umbach? What kind of society will the village build?