In a post-apocalyptic Kansas, vicious winged demons - often in female form - destroy those who survive in their hunger for human flesh. Charlotte has disguised herself as a man to escape the horrific torture and murder many women are subjected to by religious zealots who believe they're preventing females from becoming demons. Traveling with three men, Charlotte takes refuge in an abandoned Penitentary - torture chambers for women who may become demons - alongside two new companions. Frances is the biggest man Charlotte's ever seen, and it's a good thing he is because he's protecting a six year old girl, Cassie, from the horrors that await in the Penitentaries. When two demons attack, Charlotte's team joins forces with Frances to survive. Charlotte's companions are brutally slaughtered by the demons, but they manage to fend the creatures off. She begins traveling with Cassie and Frances instead, who tell her of their bizarre journey and the revelation they discovered, that many demons are not female at all. Charlotte tells them of the horrific abuse she received when she was once a woman, repeated torture and rape that caused her to miscarry a child. Left for dead by her captors, she rose again as a man and made a life for herself. At last, slowly starving and far from their destination, Charlotte, Frances, and Cassie are forced to barter for food with another group of survivors. They show Charlotte the women they have imprisoned and tortured. Unable to trust Frances because of his masculinity and her own past abuse, Charlotte tells them she's kept him a prisoner and no longer has any use for him. She turns him in for more food and safety from their tortures. The survivors shoot Frances and begin the process of "purifying" Cassie alongside their other captives, even though she's only six years old. Charlotte continues alone, joining a different group later along the road. She confesses to seeing demons everywhere in her apocalyptic surroundings, including within herself.