Unsurprisingly, all the extra work he had been doing completely burned him out. He kept pushing himself until all his strength was gone. He could push no longer.

When Bacteria died, in his grief he convinced himself he could fix his mistakes.

This would end tonight. He would end himself tonight.

He arrived at the door to his apartment completely zoned out--he barely registered himself unlocking it. He went inside.

His mind focused at once: someone was inside.

He didn't have to turn on the light to see who it was.

Germ was grinning madly at him, his white teeth illuminated by the moonlight.