I gave up on shoes a long time ago. Probably after the soles on the fifth pair of boots completely gave out. My feet are gnarled and numb; [b]always[/b] cold. You should try feeling the ground between your feet. Keeping them unscathed is relatively simple, just keep your wits about you.

The dog scampered out from behind a pile of rubble. It had been following me for a few weeks now since I'd given it some inedible rusks. It was nice to have something alive even if the mutt looked more dead than alive. I'm sure I'm no better.

We were only ever animals anyway. Only hubris makes you think you're actually something more.

Grandiose comforts were a thing long forgotten, I've learnt how to revel in squalor. Now even a small fire is a luxury. And forget about sleeping on something soft. The ground is a perfectly suitable bed.

I've trekked through many cities. Sometimes I even loot some of the houses and find something yummy left behind. Rarely. This metropolis was different, there were boot tracks in the ash that lined the streets. There were people here. I'll have to keep an eye out.

I walk the streets with the confidence of a man with nothing to take but my life, and at this point that wasn't much to take.