The FAYZ in Michael Grant's Gone series refers to the Fallout Alley Youth Zone, an isolated area where all adults have mysteriously vanished, leaving only children and teenagers behind.
Origins and Meaning
The term FAYZ is an acronym for the Fallout Alley Youth Zone. This designation is primarily used by the children residing within this peculiar domain, specifically those from Perdido Beach and Coates Academy. It marks the geographical area where a sudden, inexplicable event resulted in the disappearance of everyone aged 15 and older.
The Perdido Beach Anomaly (PBA)
While the children know their world as the FAYZ, the same area is recognized by outsiders, or those who are not trapped within its confines, as The Perdido Beach Anomaly, often shortened to PBA. This highlights the distinct perspective and understanding of the event from inside versus outside the zone.
Physical Nature of the FAYZ
The entire FAYZ is encased within an invisible, impenetrable dome. This mysterious barrier suddenly appeared, trapping all individuals under the age of 15 inside and cutting them off from the rest of the world. Everything within the boundaries of this dome—Perdido Beach, Coates Academy, and the surrounding wilderness—constitutes the FAYZ.
To summarize the key terms:
| Term | Full Name | Used By | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAYZ | Fallout Alley Youth Zone | Children of Perdido Beach & Coates Academy | The self-designated name for their isolated world. |
| PBA | Perdido Beach Anomaly | Everyone outside the dome | The external name for the same mysterious area. |
