Leave the World Behind

Rose bakes the cake while the adults talk. Amanda insists that they should fill the bathtubs. The narration reveals that she’s correct—if the power goes out, so does water pressure, and people in the city are already starting to feel the effects of dehydration. Amanda and Clay discuss whether they should go home, and G. H. suggests that they should go into town. G. H. and Clay plan to go in the morning, though Amanda still feels they should return to the city.

The cake comes out of the oven, and Clay begins to plan dinner as Rose goes to find Ruth to ask about cake decorating supplies. Amanda finds Archie delirious and hard to rouse, and when she asks him if he’s okay, he sits ups and vomits on himself.

Amanda cleans up Archie, then Clay takes him into the living room and dresses him. Ruth and G. H.’s parental instincts kick in; Ruth helps with Archie while G. H. helps Rose decorate the cake.