[ WP ] Humans have the opportunity to never feel sadness or pain again , but in order to do so must offer up a sacrifice : one person to become immortal and experience only misery for the rest of eternity .

The only light in the room came from the single bulb hanging from the ceiling. My handcuffs were chained to the table, my ankles cuffed to the chair, so there was nothing for me to do but wait for my mysterious visitor. The guards had refused to tell me anything about this meeting, except that it was happening. I was n't given much choice about that. I was n't given much choice about anything anymore. I almost looked forward to my last meal, because at least then what I wanted would be taken into consideration. 
 
 Finally the door opened. Due to the dim light, I could n't see more than the shadowy forms of the people who entered the room, but I knew two of them well enough. Donovan and McNall, two of the prison's toughest, meanest guards. They stood on either side of the door while the third shadow, the stranger, stepped into the light, taking the form of a man I'd never seen before. He was tall and lean, with close-cut brown hair sprinkled with grey at the temples. He wore a dark, well-tailored suit. 
 
 “ Diana McFarlane, ” he greeted me as he sat across from me. “ Convicted of dozens of murders, and sentenced to death. ” He leaned across the table towards me. “ How would you like to live instead? ” 
 
 I raised an eyebrow at him. “ I figured that offer was off the table. ” 
 
 “ I have a special deal for you, ” the man said. “ Humanity has been given a rare chance by a certain benefactor—the chance to let all people live free from pain or sadness, save one. That one person will become immortal, but live in misery so that the rest of humanity can be happy. ” 
 
 I leaned back the fraction of an inch that my bound hands allowed. “ How is this possible? ” 
 
 “ I'm afraid I'm not able to explain the how. I am here as a representative of all humankind, to offer you the opportunity of eternal life. ” 
 
 “ And eternal misery, ” I said. 
 
 “ And eternal misery, ” he agreed. 
 
 I tilted my head to the side. “ Why me? ” 
 
 “ Because the people of the world were given a choice, and they decided that if anyone was going to make this sacrifice, it ought to be someone who already has nothing to lose, someone who deserves a life of punishment. Those who have been sentenced to death seemed like the best candidates. I have approached a number of such candidates around the world already, and if any of them had taken the offer, we would n't be speaking. If you turn it down as well, I'll move on to the next name on my list. ” 
 
 “ How long do I have to consider? ” 
 
 “ I'm afraid I need an immediate answer. Should you choose to accept the death penalty you've already been condemned to, I'll need to leave right away. There are many out there who are anxious to find a willing participant in this sacrifice, you understand. ” 
 
 “ Eternal misery does n't sound like much fun, ” I mused. 
 
 “ And death does? ” 
 
 “ Well, that depends on what comes after death. If there's nothing, then, well, I have nothing to look forward to. But if there's any kind of life after death, odds are I'd be headed straight for Hell and eternal misery anyway, so what's the difference? ” 
 
 The man folded his hands together. “ There may be no difference to you, but a world of difference to the families and friends of your victims. They would no longer have to mourn the losses of their loved ones—loved ones that you, yourself, took away from them. You could be the one to ease their pain. ” 
 
 I looked down at my hands on the table. “ If I cared about that, do you think I would have killed all those people in the first place? ” 
 
 “ I think that if I keep asking, I'll eventually find someone ready to atone. ” 
 
 I was silent, considering his words. On the one hand, I could n't imagine a world where no one felt sorrow for the loss of their loved ones. In my experience, sadness sucked, but it made happiness that much more awesome when you could get it. If all you knew was happiness, would you ever really notice how happy you were? 
 
 On the other hand, I could take away pain that I had personally inflicted on so many survivors, and would n't that make a better justice than just having my own life taken? If I stayed and was put to death, my victims' families might feel avenged, but they would be happier if I took this deal. I could n't pretend I did n't feel my guilt. Maybe I could make up for some of my crimes, at least. 
 
 I raised my eyes without lifting my head. “ I'm your girl. ” 
 
 The corner of the man's mouth lifted in a small smile. “ You understand that you will not be released from prison? You will live out the rest of your eternal life here. You are still a convict, and in all honesty, no one outside these walls will want their happiness marred by the sight of your misery. ” 
 
 That stung a little, but I shrugged. “ Hey, you never said anything about letting me free. Only letting me live. I mean, it seems like people could thank me for taking on all of their pain and sadness and suffering by at least letting me go home, but if I'm going to be miserable anyway I guess it does n't really matter where I am. ” 
 
 “ And you're sure about this? ” 
 
 “ Ca n't say I'm really sure about anything. But I agree to this. ” 
 
 The man reached across the table, taking my hand for an awkward half-handshake. “ It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mrs. McFarlane. ” 
 
 As his hand left mine, I was filled with dread, quickly followed by a wave of the most bitter sadness I'd ever known. I almost choked on my own breath as it overtook me, and I started to panic. “ Wait, ” I cried out, “ wait, I- I- ” 
 
 “ I'm afraid it's too late. Humanity thanks you for your sacrifice. ” The man stood and rolled his shoulders back, his smile widening. “ I feel better already. ” 
 
 My shoulders shook as I lowered my head to the table and sobbed.
