Setting for start of the The Children's Crusade, Charlie Matheson and her companions are ambushed by Michael who is looking for his brother Peter. The children settled in an abandoned hospital after their Rebel parents were killed in a Militia raid. As Peter is the oldest, he leads the group. They do their best to survive by making crude weapons such as spears and hunting small game, mainly squirrels. The children seem largely unaware of the Rebellion, however, as Michael does not realize the significance of the United States flag that hangs in the building. Their encounter with Charlie and her group inspired them to write down the event in a story similar in style to Peter Pan.