Dusty's Diary

Using diary format gives such an intimate look at Dusty's thoughts—was this a conscious decision to deepen emotional impact or a storytelling convenience?

The story alternates between tense survival moments and reflective downtime. I'm curious if this balance was intentional to build mood or to develop Dusty's character.

There are moments where hope flickers, but the overall tone remains grim. Does this mirror the author's view on human resilience in dystopian settings?