It was too late to stop me.  I had already posted the biological load to various major cities.  Modifying a flu virus to a more deadly version was easy.  I was a biochemist.  Or at least I had the degree qualifications.  Jobs had been out of my reach.  Austerity coupled with economic downturn had stifled my research career.  So you see I didn't have a choice.  The only way for quick recovery would be to free up land and jobs by significantly reducing population numbers.  I didn't have time to wait; for the system of distribution to correct itself to support this population.  My research was too important.  I hope people understand that if I ever get caught.  People are dying of diseases that I could cure if only given the funding and opportunity.  Curing death was my ultimate goal.  So you see I am a hero.  Someone who did what it takes to get the job done.  It would be nature and evolution to chose the survivors of this pandemic.  We, the survivors would emerge into a glorious new world.

![IMG_20170705_154728.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdNW8JZCVXdKJYsX8tKLCpPPztDs6f2QtAeVjov9cgVze/IMG_20170705_154728.jpg)

Five years later the economy was booming again.  With a reduction in population numbers and deaths across all age ranges, governments evolved and adapted faster to this changing world.  The mutated bird flu that killed so many people spurred increased funding into science.  For the first time in history, science had a bigger budget than the military.  My research was back on track.  This was my world.  I had created it.  I wanted to tell people that it was me, but I knew they wouldn't understand.  I'm a hero.  The world would have surely fallen apart without my intervention.


Eventually I told someone.  It was to the love of my life.  I knew she would understand.
*"I killed over 40% of the world's population without hesitation and I got away with it"* I told her, not knowing why I added the last part.
As I explained everything she just looked at me blankly, and then eventually began to cry.  My flu had killed her brother and mother, as well as many of her friends.  Everyone had friends and relatives who died, including myself.  Unfortunately her reaction was not what I had imagined.  And... I had to get rid of her.  I had no choice.  My research was too important.  I wouldn't be allowed near any equipment if people knew what I had done.  They couldn't see that I was the hero.  I did it for them.

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@RiskDebonair
**Irish Writer, Poet, & Lover**