(Story 1) In a dystopian future, the man next to Belle on a bus tells her about a new continent rising from the bottom of the sea, as the old continents sink. As she gets to her apartment in West Portland, the lights are out due to a power outage. She notices a man in her bed, panics, then realizes it is her husband, Simon. He had been released from Rehabilitation Camp due to an injury. (Story 2) An unknown speaker states they are all blind in the dark and cold. First the pressure changes. Then a single light appears and disappears. They remember the stars and planets. Seven lights appear (Story 1) Belle skips work to get a black-market doctor. This doctor understands that Belle and Simon are married, which is illegal. She gives them a bottle of aspirin. (Story 2) Lantern-creatures swim amongst the speaker and its companions, illuminating their surroundings. They see a wall rising next to them and remember the city. (Story 1) The FBI had gotten to Belle’s apartment, questioning Simon. (Story 2) They feel tides. They hear sounds. They hear a yearning music asking, “Where are you? I am here.” This is not directed at them but makes them cry and remember.) (Story 1) Max, Simon’s fellow researcher, comes over to work with him. They solve a problem they have been working on for ten years. It could be used to build a “sun tap,” which could harness and store solar energy, giving it the power to change society. (Story 2) The sun rises, making everything blue around it.) (Story 1) Scientist meet in the apartment to test a prototype of the sun tap. It works, lighting a lamp. (Story 2) The blue brightens. The walls and towers of the city become visible. Fish flicker everywhere. The speaker and its companions’ city will emerge from the sea.) (Story 1) Soon after, the government takes Simon back to a federal hospital in Salem against his will. On the radio, Belle hears about rising land masses again. She takes supplies to hike to Salem.