The Last Man

People get used to living with the plague, though Idris’s anxiety preys on her more than most. Ryland is discovered dead with stockpiles of food and supplies surrounding him. Lionel notes how everything but the base instincts of humanity can be seen no more, and says goodbye to things like politics, art, and luxury. He believes that it is better to head south than to stay in England.

In the fall of 2096, people in London begin wanting to emigrate. They make a proposal to Adrian to leave England. The Windsor party sees their home for the last time in October and goes to meet with Adrian in London. All the stragglers in England are gathered and the country’s population—around 2000 people—leaves England in November for Paris.

Idris’s health declines after she leaves Windsor and their oldest son, Alfred, becomes sick soon after they leave London. When she sees this, Idris goes out to seek Lionel until she collapses from exhaustion in a storm. Lionel and Adrian return before Idris and find Alfred already dead.

A man dying from the plague breathes on Lionel, who feels afraid for himself for the first time.