Infected (ON HOLD)

The Institutions

I remember when the Institutes were first open. I was five. I asked my mother why they were there. She said they were for bad people. Very bad and strange people that were bad for our Republic. There are three Institutes in each Section. In our Republic there are seven Sections. That's a total of twenty-one Institutions. I didn't understand why there are so many. At the time President Mieke ruled. Now his son. He said the more the better.

Listening to one of the broadcast it gives me cringing memories of not understanding what had to be done. I chuckled at the thought. The president went on.

"I understand the concerned
parents of our nation. Why teach our kids so soon of the Infected? What if our kids were Infected? Yes, yes I'm aware of all of these questions. But, this is how are society is suppose to work. From the words of my father,' Gays shouldn't be apart of our community. Every time we wait to tell our children another baby turns gay.' We know this as the whole truth. This, of course, is the reason for the Institutions. To help them. Without us they would be savages on our streets. They are in great care and are being converted every day. We have professionals. Nurses, caretakers, guards,and the list goes on that help our community. Soon your children, when coming of age, will help our community as well. Rember that always. Thank you and good night."

I rolled my eyes when he finished speaking. Not like I haven't heard this speech a million times at our damn meetings. I turned off the radio and sighed. Leaning back into my chair, I wondered. How would it be like if my children turned like the Infected. Gay. I shudderd at the word. I shook my head. Don't worry. Stop worring. You talk to yourself too much. "Stupid," I muttered. At that my friend Jake walked into my office.

"God. I hate those stupid speeches. Not like we haven't heard them at every damn meeting." He plopped down on the floor. For some reason he likes that spot. I swear my best friend is a dog.

"Exactly what I said. And are you in kindergarten? What's with the velcro?"

" New rule. All caretakers must get rid of all potentially harmful objects. Which includes shoelaces. Austin. Freakin shoelaces." he lay on the floor closing his eyes while telling me this.

"Rough day?"

"I swear. The Infected seem to be more and more restless everyday. I had to tell one of them to play nice with the others. He was fighting for a seat. A freaking seat! The man is twenty-five years old and acts like he's five. I think those pills are killing their brain cells. Austin, I swear to God I'm gonna kill myself if I have to work here another day."

"Good. Then I won't have to listen to your crap anymore."

"Hey!" He threw a pebble at me. But I could still see a smile creeping up on his mouth. That's the thing with Jake; I can mess with him and he can mess with me but neither of us will get butt hurt. Guess that's why we're friends.

"You know it's true dude," I added with a big smile.

"Yup, the Republic might as well hang me now," he laughed.

"Imma send a letter to President Mieke right now," I said. I got a pencil and pretended to write.

" Dear Sir, please shun Jake Jimmy-"

" Oh no not my middle name!"

" Oh yes. Jake Jimmy Tylent from the Republic for being a giant abnoxious mother-"

Beep. Attention! Austin Lucantear please report to Nurses Headquarters for a mandatory training. Again Austin Lucantear please report to Nurses Headquarters for a mandatory training. Thank You.

"Oh crap! I completely forgot." I grabbed my key card and scrambled to get up. I patted Jake's head before I walked out the door.

"I'll see you after the-"

"Austin it's cool. Just hurry up and go before they come and get you themselves."

"K'ay man. Thanks."

I ran out the door. Why did Headquarters have to be on the the other side of The Room? Also why is my office so far from Headquarters? And why- Austin shut up. Stop thinking and just run. I ran through corridors. Making sharp turns left and right; bumping into an Infected every couple of doors I had to pass through. The Institute is huge. With guards everywhere. You can't go anywhere without them asking you questions. So you can imaging my dilemma. A short blonde woman gave me the hardest time. Couldn't been more than 5'2 but God was she mean. She never liked me. Never knew why.

"Well I'll be damned. If it isn't Nurse Lucantear pissing me off again."

"Look I know you heard my name on the P.A. system. Just let me go. Headquarters is literally 20 feet away. You just gotta let me pass."

"I don't let just anyone through. Where's your badge?And your card? Sweetie."

God I hate her. I gave the most friendly grin I could.

" It's right here. See?" I pointed to the small card on my shirt. "Now can I go," I begged. "Please."

"Let me think about it........No."

"I swear to God. If you don't open the damn door right now!"

She grabbed me by the ear.

"Ow! What the hell are you-"

She whispered," Talk to me like that one more time and I'll kill you. You little piece of-"

"Lucantear!"

The door opened and she released me. It was Nurse Nunez. Great. All the people that hate me in the same room.

"You should have been here 10 minutes ago. And you know how much I hate late people. Your trainee is in there just sitting and waiting. Get your ass in that room!"

"Yes sir." I made one last face towards the Wicked Witch of the West before leaving.

I swiped my key card and entered my pin. 7336403. I lived by that code. The door opened and was greeted with about 20 thirteen year olds. I really hated training days.

"Nurse Lucantear," Nurse Latica smiled. Well at least she's sweet because if someone I actually liked wasn't here I'm going to die. Maybe even literally. "Trainees this is Nurse Austin Lucantear. One of the finest nurses we have here."

One of the girls said something to her friends and they all giggled. I couldn't make out what they were saying. Something like "Well he certainly is fine." I hate teenage girls, I thought rolling my eyes.

"You arrived just in time. We were just paring our trainees with the nurses. Go to the board and find who you are paired with. For those of you who already have your partners, please, get to know each other. You'll be spending alot of time together."

The girls giggled again. Ugh! Just shut up already. I walked over to the board. I found my last name with the other L's. Lester, Lila, Lofes, Lucantear. I saw the name next to mine. Aaron Tylent. Jake's brother! Out of all people I got paired with Jake's brother! I smiled to myself. This was gonna be fun.