On July 30, Frannie, Harold, Stu, and Glen encounter an overturned trailer on the road. They’re startled to realize that it’s a makeshift barricade. Four men with guns confront them while eight frightened women cower behind. The men start firing at the four, while three of the women on the other side launch an attack of their own on the men. When the shootout is over, all the men are dead as well as three of the women.

The women’s leader, Dayna Jurgens, explains that the men were former military but had become rogue scavengers. They shot men and collected a harem of women as sex slaves, whom they controlled with drugs. Now liberated, Dayna throws in her lot with Frannie, Harold, Stu, and Glen. Her four companions tag along. Their names are Susan Stern, Patty Kroger, Shirley Hammett, and a traumatized woman who won’t speak.

As the expanded group continues its journey to Nebraska, Frannie becomes concerned when Harold confesses his love for her, and she admits that she doesn’t return his feelings. The following evening, Frannie and Stu have a chat about their own relationship and end up making love. Frannie tells Stu about the baby, and he promises not to reveal her secret.