In "The Gathering" by Kelley Armstrong, the characters reflect on the challenges of living in a remote area with a small population. One character expresses how isolating it feels to be in a community of only two hundred people. This lack of social variety adds to their feelings of loneliness and the need for companionship, which can lead to limited dating options.

Corey, another character, acknowledges the isolation but finds a perk in it, suggesting that fewer people around mean less competition for relationships. He hints at a preference for this situation, emphasizing that even though living in such a small town can be tough, it also offers its own kind of comfort and simplicity.