The Tale of Mack and Opsonia: An Immunology Love Story

submission by Wilson Chung - Atlantic Veterinary College

"There is a disease upon this world, Mack. We have to do what we can to save it."

"I know that. I've fought the invaders before. But this time is different...I can't see any of them. None of the phages can."

"But I can." Opsonia stepped forward. "I can see them, and I can show them to you. Then you can destroy them, and this world may yet live on."

"You would be killed in the process. I can't do it. I won't."

"This is what I was made to do, Mack." she said, her voice growing soft. "If I don't act, the world as we know it will end."

"I don't care, Opsonia. I don't care if the world crashes down and we die here. As long as we're together." Mack said. Opsonia smiled sadly.

"You have to live on and keep fighting. And you'll find another. Someone young and wild who will love you even more than I."

"I care not for those reckless lymphomaniacs. I love only you, Opsonia. We complement each other so well."

"...I know."

They drifted together in silence for several moments.

"There." Opsonia's eyes widened. "There's one of them. The invaders."

"Don't do this. Please."

"I have to." Without another word, she ran towards the foreign entity.

"Opsonia! Don't!" Mack chased after her, but could not keep up with his great size. He watched in horror as she stopped suddenly and presented the invader to him.

"We always knew it would end like this, Mack." she said, eyes glistening.

"I can't. Opsonia..."

She was bound to the invader now; there was no turning back.

"Do it, Mack. Do it."

He embraced her, gently, and blinked back his tears.

"I love you." she said softly. He continued to wrap himself around her, then the invader, completely engulfing them. Soon he could feel them both being undone.

"I'm sorry." he whispered.

The world continued to flow around him.