I stroll into the post office, the scent of sanitizer mingled with an otherworldly silence. striding over to the counter I ring the bell, waiting for someone to come and assist me. mere moments later a lady in a black pantsuit comes to the other side of the counter.

"Sir, are you here to complete your registration?"

"No," I say snarkley, "just here to pick up a package, is it that obvious?"

She laughs smugly before continuing, "we'll then, let's continue. full name?"

"Cairn Sospes Oslow."

"Date of Birth?"

"January 27th, 199x"

"Age at time of Infection?"

"I'm infected? the hell?"

"Yes Mr. Oslow, it has been deemed that every man on earth has been infected. now, your age?"

"22."

"Marital Status?"

"Single."

"symptoms you have experienced over the course of the past day?"

"Does a headache count?"

"Yes Mr. Oslow. Headaches do count. Any other symptoms?"

"Well I have had a bout of nausea. but I get that periodically anyways."

"Duly noted," say tells me as she finishes writing and places all the documents inside a manilla folder, "Mr. Oslow, is your Drivers Lisence photo current?"

"I believe so, I just had to update it a month ago with my move up here."

"Good, we'll use that for your files photo. Thank you for your time Mr. Oslow, if we need anything further well be in touch." she says as she turns away and proceeds to leave.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"we?" I ask myself. "who's We?" before turning and leaving for home.

-2 weeks later-

sitting down in front of the tv I turn it on to the nation news channel.

"Mass Casualties have been noted worldwide from the epidemic, with an estimated final death count of roughly 3.3 billion. The disposal process has proceeded favorably, 75 percent of the deceased have been cremated so far."

"Madame President, if I may be allowed to ask, do we know what caused this?"

"Well, it has been hypothesized that some prehistoric virus was released from an underground cave system. we currently have groups working on finding the source and I will inform the public at the time we come to a conclusion."

"Thank you Madame President. Now back to other news, the remaining leaders of the Worlds governments have joined together under the sanction and urgings of United Nations, And founded the Institution. we know currently that the Institution is requesting men come in willingly to be tested for any residual effects of this deadly pathogen. no further information has been made available to us concerning this matter."

Turning the tv off I look around my living room. sparsely furnished, with only a tv, couch, and end table, I reach over and grab my phone from the end table and place a call."

"Institute Call Center, How may I best direct your call?"

"My names Cairn Oslow, and I need to be put though to your Public Relations department."

"Please hold."

I listen to the old melodramatic tunes coming over the handset for several minutes.

"Mr. Oslow, it's so nice to speak with you. My name is Karin Oschwick, what can we do for you today?"

"I just have a few questions."

"Awesome," She says in a very happy go lucky manner, "I'll do my best to answer them."

"Alright, am I required to come in at some point in time? or can I just disregard all of the requests with no consequences?"

"well, at some point it may become required for you to come into one of our branch offices, but currently there is no need for to arrive. anything else?"

"not today thank you." I hang up promptly, and start pacing back and forth through my house, planning, waiting.

-50 years later-

I log into my pc, completing a multi step verification to access one of the many encrypted servers I have access to. scrolling down through a forum link I browse over all the information that was posted while I was away, things from more men turning themselves over to the Instutution, successful tests conducted that solidify men being nearly indestructible, and one that repeats consistently thoughout.

-they're looking for us, and dragging us in. total known remaining men free, 217. unknown location, 5.-

scrolling to the bottom I click on the new post icon and type in my check in and location. 

-Northern Rocky Mountains, Cairn Oslow.- I wait several minutes before a reply comes to my post

-Mr. Oslow, We've been worried. considering the sparse population centers thoughout your roaming area we had reason to believe you haven't been picked up yet, but 3 weeks is rather long for your check in. take care. Mr. Green-

I turn off my pc after reading and look over the valley underneath my cabin, a single city in the center being the only source of light in the dark of night.