Stained

“Empty again, not that I should've expected any different.” I thought, the chilled metal of the can sticking to my fingertips.

In the days since our 'Saviours' had their bright ideas the clothes on your back and the food in your stomach were all that mattered.

"Come on Korm, looks like it's time to move out." I said, patting my shoulder.

The razor-sharp claws of that cat did little good for the condition of my coat but I can't help if I had a soft spot for the guy. It's not like anyone cared about our furred friends anymore, anything with a beating heart and meat was fair game. I once heard a man say before the chill, "We should consider cannibalism, it would solve overpopulation and world hunger all at once." at least the chill solved one of those issues.

I pushed open what was left of the glass doors and looked to Korm, "Once more unto the breach." to which they replied with a purr and curled into my hood. Most of the supermarkets like that one had been cleared out long ago but you could still find some potted meat or corned beef and if you were lucky a sardine or two. It's amazing how one moment can change a sardine from being the pariah of the food world to a hot commodity. Not only is the protein great but the oil works wonders for torches.

"Where to now old friend?" I asked, looking at a tattered travel guide.

A crunch echoed across the frosted plain with each step I took, an eerie reminder of just how alone this world had become. I stumbled through the wind-whipped landscape looking for anything still standing enough to count as a shelter yet hidden enough to still be considered safe. An abandoned community police vehicle appeared through the rose-colored haze and I chuckled, "Some help you guys were. At least all that money went to some fancy cars." A deafening crack reverberated through the near silence and I fell to my knees, the pure snow forever stained crimson with the blood of an innocent. "Don't let them find you." I said, thrusting my only companion under the car. Another crack and another stain, I turned with what little strength remained to face my fate and all I saw was empty snow, another crack and another stain.

BEEP

Looks like I'm out of time. To whoever finds this, just know that I tried. I sure hope it's warm.