Natalie studied Martha's expression. "Why? Is there something wrong with the base?" Martha waved her hands fast. "No, no. Nothing wrong at all. It's just that no one really goes there." She paused, then felt her explanation wasn't clear enough. So she tried an example. "Before the apocalypse, would you go hang out at a government building for no reason?" Natalie shook her head. "No." Martha clapped her hands. "Exactly! If there's nothing to do, why go there?" "But that's not the same," Natalie said, looking confused. "A government building is just offices for officials. An official base in the apocalypse is supposed to be a place to live, right? People stick together there and survive with government support." Martha frowned. "Why live in there? Living in your house is way more comfortable!" At the mention of houses, Cassian—who had been quiet behind Natalie—spoke up. "Did you live here before the apocalypse?" Martha shook her head. "No. I used to live on the Southside." Natalie asked right away, "We just came from the Southside. There didn't seem to be anyone there." Martha looked like the answer was obvious. "Of course not. Everyone moved here." Then she realized Natalie and Cassian were outsiders and probably didn't know the details, so she explained more carefully. "At first, everyone stayed in their old homes. But now, almost all the survivors in Yloria have moved to Peacehaven." She sighed. "So many people died in the apocalypse. We used to have ten districts in the city. Now everyone fits into just this one, and there's still room! And only about half the people here are locals. The rest are outsiders like you. That tells you how much the population has dropped. It's really tragic." Natalie followed up, "There are that many outsiders?" Martha nodded. "Yeah. From nearby states and cities. Just like you, they all came because of the official base. I heard the entire eastern region only has this one official base." Natalie looked at her closely. "Then why aren't these people living in the official base? Why are they all staying here instead?" Martha puckered her lips. "I already told you. Living here is more comfortable than living in the base. Everyone knows how to choose what's best and avoid what's risky." She puffed up with pride. "I'm not bragging, but if you look at the whole world right now, Peacehaven is probably the happiest place left." Since she still hadn't gotten anything truly useful, Natalie changed her approach. "Since everyone moved to Peacehaven at the same time—even the outsiders—someone must have organized it," she said, staring straight into Martha's eyes. "Was this arranged by the government?" Natalie and Cassian had already noticed it earlier. This place was packed. After the apocalypse, this was easily the most densely populated area they had seen. Back in Northlorn, an entire apartment block might have only one or two surviving families. Most homes were empty. Even the whole neighborhood together barely had anyone left. But here, it was completely different. Frostfall was brutally cold. Long-distance travel wasn't realistic, and there were no vehicles nearby. That meant anyone shopping here had to be from the surrounding neighborhoods. And the crowd said it all. This place was louder and busier than a normal farmers' market before the apocalypse. People filled the street shoulder to shoulder. It was obvious the nearby areas were heavily populated. Natalie frowned slightly. If no one had organized this, how did all these people end up gathering in Peacehaven on their own? Martha waved her hand. "It doesn't really have anything to do with the official base. It's just—" She hadn't finished when a man nearby, who had clearly been listening in, cut in. "That's what outsiders always think," the man said. He was carrying shopping bags and looked to be in his forties. "They think only the official base can protect people from the apocalypse. So they travel across cities, suffer all that trouble, just to come and join an organization." He winked at Natalie and Cassian. "I used to think the same way." Only then did Martha notice him. She raised her voice. "Jim! Out shopping again?" The man nodded. "Ran out of fuel at home. Came out to see if I could find some." Martha laughed. "Then you're in the wrong place. I don't have any here." He waved his hand. "You guys keep talking. I'll head further down." "Alright!" Martha replied. She watched him leave, then pointed at his back and said to Natalie, "Jim also comes from somewhere else like you. He's been living here for almost half a year now." Natalie asked casually, "You know him well?" "Of course!" Martha smiled. "We're neighbors. He lives in this area too. The people who live close by all know each other." Natalie looked at her thoughtfully. "The atmosphere here feels peaceful. Not tense like other places." Martha grinned wide. "That's because we share the same faith! We're all brothers and sisters here." Faith? Natalie immediately thought of the white chapel. Her eyebrow twitched. "What kind of faith?" At that, Martha lit up. She didn't even seem to feel the cold anymore. She slid the window open about four inches, as if worried Natalie wouldn't hear her clearly, and leaned forward to speak.