“I’m Anya, and our shelter leader is that guy, Max.” Frank nodded while trying to steady his breathing. “We didn’t know there was a shelter here. We came from The Container.” Relief and grief mixed within his voice. The Container had been their home and it was gone. Layla and Jacob quickly introduced themselves as well. Max remained quiet throughout the exchange, listening while leading the group deeper into the shelter. The farther they traveled underground, the more obvious the differences became. The Ark was nowhere near as developed as The Container. Metal sheets scavenged from old ruins had been bolted onto damaged walls. Corridors were cramped and uneven. Some sections looked as though they had been repaired dozens of times. The air carried traces of rust and damp soil. Even so, Frank couldn’t deny its effectiveness. It was hidden. It was protected. Being underground made it far more difficult for the machines to locate compared to surface shelters. Even without

Frank’s hand slowly tightened into a fist. Is this really a safe place? The thought surfaced suddenly, twisting into a knot in his stomach. Ever since arriving at The Ark, he had believed he was heading toward safety. His Talent had led him here, after all. Pathfinder had saved his life more than once, steering him away from danger and helping him find opportunities that increased his chances of survival. But despite how useful it was, Frank knew better than to treat it like some all-knowing divine power. Pathfinder wasn’t perfect. What if the feeling that had brought him here wasn’t warning him about long-term safety at all? What if it had only led him to a place where he could survive a little longer? A few days. A few hours. Maybe even just enough time to escape one disaster before walking straight into another. The possibility left him deeply unsettled. As Max continued reassuring the crowd, Frank found it harder and harder to ignore the doubt creeping into his mind. He wan