During the journey I was afraid even of my own shadow, waiting for a three headed bear or a radiation altered human mutants to attack me. But I saw no animals, I saw no humans, except for the occasional corpses lying on the road, their faces projecting the disbelief of their fate. Their faces were covered in frost so I couldn't make out if any of them were people I had known. I guess it wouldn't have made much difference in this situation anyway.
I don't know why I am still alive. I saw even the strongest to lose the battle to the harsh conditions. After Paolo died, I haven't seen a soul. I made my way to the city centre, a gruelling 8 kilometre walk in this dark, cold, wintry apocalyptic scenery.