Standing in a burnt out part of the sprawling city under skies that were threatening the worst snowstorm seen in years, Allison Mayweather faces the toughest decision of her sheltered life.

She could stay with her captors, men who had taken her and her daughter by force from their home, or go with a stranger who, from the alleyway between two buildings, was beckoning to her, promising her safety. Could this man really help or was he just another predator?

Like he did most days, he was just drifting through the city, killing time, being a silent witness. Day by day, his compassion, stolen from him not long ago, was slowly being rekindled. When he beckoned to the woman and girl he wasn''t thinking, he just acted. Could he lead them to safety? Was he even ready to care?