Zik was still not convinced, and he scoffed at anyone who advised him otherwise. He was too cautious for one thing, but other than that, he was a man who was set in his ways.
The limp he had when he walked, had accompanied him for years. He was used to it, he was even used to the pain, and used his pain as fuel when he was on the hunt. Rage often helped him send his prey to their doom.
Foot injuries for hunters who did not wear shoes were common. Some injuries were worse than others, but since he could still walk and even run when he had a solid motive to do so, Zik had personified his pain over the years. It was part of his identity.
Nevertheless, he had enough infected wounds, and bug bites on him to kill him before the day ended. Parasites and bacteria do not care about feelings.
For that matter, Jimmy had to insist, "Come on, man, there's a damn maggot in your arm. Your wounds are infected with everything under the damn sun."
