Nori pondered on her words. “To be human is to be a survivalist,” she said finally. “I think we were so used to growing in a civilized society, we forgot our base instinct. For our ancestors, struggling to survive was simply a fact of life. I guess it was always a part of our nature, hidden deep within, and recent events just brought it to the surface.”

“So that’s your answer? It’s all thanks to our lizard-brain?” Lana shook her head. “Nuh-uh. Maybe it could explain the sentimentally of people like you, who fight each day to survive. But Nathan and I, and a lot of other people, aren’t like that. Everyone just seems … a little bit too well adjusted. You know what I mean? Take me for example. I’ve just played around with the controls of an alien ship. I’m excited, sure, but the old me would be lying on the floor, hyperventilating and trying to get her wits together.”

“When you say it like that …” Nori looked at the ground. “You might be onto something. Other survivors I’ve met in the shelter also seemed to be well adjusted. There’s fear, sure, but nothing like you’d normally expect. People are mostly level-headed and are trying to figure out a way out of this mess. Maybe it has something to do with our increased healing rate and reduced need for food. With those two basic concerns out of the picture, all people really need nowadays is a safe shelter. So … maybe … human psyche adjusted to complement our new physical needs?”

Lana looked unconvinced. “I only took one class of psychology, but it’s enough to know people’s minds don’t adjust so quickly. Not like this.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I’m making such a big fuss over it. I’m probably overthinking it. Even if I’m right, this mentality will only increase our species’s chance of survival.”

Nori shook her head. “No. You’re right for bringing it up. Never shy away from asking the hard questions. You were right earlier when you said we’re living in a new world. We need people like you, asking the hard questions and trying to figure out the answers if we hope to take control over our world again.”

Lana blushed slightly. “Thanks. My mind sometimes likes to take trips on its own and it sometimes comes up with strange ideas. Especially when I’m trying not to think about monsters jumping at me out of every shadow we pass.”

“Well, you can ease up,” Nori said, pointing at an old, two-floor stone structure in the distance. “We’re nearly there.”

“The county library?” Lana frowned. “Are you sure that’s Bulco’s hideout?”

“Yes. I overheard a couple of his guys mentioning the place when …” her face clouded. “When they dragged a man out of a shelter I was staying in.”

Lana swallowed hard. “Maybe we should reconsider our plans?”