“We are indeed,” Will said proudly. “Happy Valley has been around for nearly a decade. It was built as a community for residents who were looking for a safer way to live, away from the hustle and bustle of cities, but without being strictly rural. It was a nice, safe place to live. It wasn’t always as self-sufficient as it is now. Most things were brought in via delivery. Most of the shops we have now, for instance, are old homes or community buildings that we repurposed. But it’s always been a little piece of heaven, especially for those of us who were trying to find a way to leave the city life behind us.”

“Will used to work in New York City,” Abigail offered, “but we moved here when he got the opportunity to switch careers. I never wanted to raise children in the city, and Happy Valley seemed so perfect. So many good people, and so safe, especially compared to the high crime rates and bad schools in the city.”

Rachael nodded. “And after everything happened, I’m sure it seemed like it was meant to be.”

“God, yes,” Abigail exclaimed, “it was like it was destiny. The world presented us with a problem, and Happy Valley was the answer. We could stay in our homes, safe, and surrounded by good people we trust. We had a variety of people with different skill sets, and they figured out how to set up gardens and generators and water purifiers. It’s such a lovely, safe community, filled with good people.”

“What about the workers?” Rachael prompted.

“Sometimes people make their way here, either because they’ve heard about us in passing or find us by providence,” Abigail replied, scratching at the back of her neck absently. “We don’t have a lot of space or extra supplies, but we do what we can in exchange for an honest day’s work.”

“That’s right,” said Will. “We offer them jobs, temporary assignments, so that they can earn a wage, pay for supplies, and sometimes in exchange for safe passage to another community we have a few miles away. It takes a lot of energy and manpower to get them safely there, but we’re willing to do it, provided that they put in the work to earn it.”

“But you don’t make the residents work?” Rachael asked, staring at the Mannerses unblinkingly.

“Why would we?” Will seemed genuinely surprised. “They’re all good people who worked hard to be here. This is their home, and we’re the reason it’s safe to live in Happy Valley. The residents are the reason we’ve all been able to survive. These people are given food, shelter, and safety. We just ask that they earn it.”

“With hard labor,” Rachael said quietly.

“They’re allowed to work for us. I mean, it’s the least they can do in payment for us saving them from what’s outside.”