Germaphobe

Germaphobe By: Katie Allison Bleach, the smell of the Institute. The only place I knew. Where the last living people thrive after the deadly pandemic of 2009. Only 25% of the world’s population still alive lives in the extremely hygienic, uncontaminated building. Even 90 years after the pandemic, we are not allowed outside the institute in fear we might get infected with the Germ. Here in the Institute we learn about the past and how humans were inept at keeping people from infections. They did not know how bad bacteria were. Now the Government mandates that everything has to be sanitary. Everything has to be sterilized and washed down. Everything is swabbed and tested for bacteria, viruses or germs. As I entered the University I believed what the Government told us about germs and how they are the enemy. I studied biology; I wanted to be a doctor. As I began to learn more I realized what the Government was telling us about germs was all a big huge lie. Bacteria are actually good for us. Did they know this but just wanted us to stay inside the Institute and not go out into the environment? This got me questioning. I read more into the science of germs and bleach. Months after research I learned that germs are actually good for you. And the Government was poisoning us with the bleach. The fear of another disease has escalated to the point that we are hurting ourselves. I need to warn the last remaining humans and help them flee to safety. To leave the Institute, where everyone grew up and knew. I first took my friends, Amy and Harry, aside, to tell them and get them out of here. “Guys there is something important I have to tell you,” I managed to say it with out seeming alarmed. “What is so important that you had to wake us up so early,” complained Amy. I stood there looking at my feet, I knew if I told them straight up they would not believe me. //Maybe this was a bad idea, maybe there isn’t anything wrong with being too clean,// I thought to myself. Harry snapped me back to reality, “ Well what is it?” “Okay guys, this may seem a little bit far fetched but I’m telling the truth. You know how we are forced to be clean? The Government force us to wash everything with bleach and everything must be germ free,” I questioned them. “Yeah, they want us to be sanitary. And make sure we don’t get sick and die. Is that a problem,” Amy asked curiously. “ It is most definitely a problem! The chemicals they make us use are poisoning us! We are dying because of them. We would be so much healthier if we lived out in the environment. Where our ancestors lived. It’s okay to have a few germs and bacteria in us. They all aren’t pathogenic. Only a few bacteria are. The Government is telling us lies! They are afraid of another pandemic, but they don’t realize that they are poisoning us. Because we aren’t being exposed to these germs and bacteria are immune systems are not as strong! We have to warn the Government and get everyone out of this stuffy Institute,” I explained to them. “ Johnny, that is ridiculous,” laughed Amy. “ No, Amy, I think he is serious. Johnny, I believe you,” exclaimed Harry. “Well doesn’t the Government know that they are poisoning us? I mean they have doctors and scientist working for them. Why are they not telling the Government that the chemicals are killing us,” a worried Amy asked. “ They probably do. I guess they don’t care about the facts. They are influenced by their fears of another pandemic. They don’t want a repeat,” I explained. “ So what are we gonna do? If the Government doesn’t listen to their doctors and scientists then what will make them listen to us? We are just college students,” Amy said. “ I was thinking we get as many people out of this place and into the real world. Steal some Government issued utility vehicles and take everyone we can to the old abandoned cities. If our ancestors could thrive there, then why cant we? It has been 90 years since the major pandemic; the bacteria have to be gone. The Government even claims to disinfected most of the planet. We will be safe. For the most part,” I informed them of my plan. I looked at my friends. Their faces were twisted; I knew this information was too much for them. They have lived in the Institute their whole lives. But so have I. They grew up with super clean apartments that had to be wiped down every day. They had to take baths in antiseptic. If they had the slightest sign of a cold they were rushed to the hospital wing and given medicine. Everything they know about Earth is that we are not allowed to live there anymore because of the pandemic 90 years ago. That it was our ancestors fault for not being clean and taking medicine when they got sick. But now we were going to be the ones to die from being to clean. How ironic! Amy gazed into my eyes. I always had a huge longing for her. I knew I had to get her out of here. To save her, that was my plan. “ Whom will we choose to take with us,” She pleaded to know. I knew she wanted to get her family out. The people she loved she wanted to save. “Amy, we will save whom ever wants to come. Who ever believes us will take. You have to convince your family or they will not come. They will believe you,” I told her as I held her in my arms. She had tears streaming down her face. She knew this was something terrible. “Okay, I will try,” she whimpered trying to hold her tears in.

For the next few days we convinced who ever we could. I even got a doctor who works for the Government to come. He agreed right away. Apparently he already knew about the chemicals that were poisoning us. All and all we rounded up 33 people who would come. Amy persuaded her family to come, which made her very happy. Harry and I both convinced our families, a few friends, one teacher, the doctor and the four orphaned children that had no where to live. The doctor helped us get two Government issued utility vehicle. Amy kept complaining because one was a van and she had to drive it. There is only one entrance and exit to the Institute. The Government heavily guards it, but at 1 o’clock in the morning is all clear. That is when we plan to escape. Nothing will be better than to see sunlight, fresh air and germs.