The Last Four Words Ever Said

“I do not want to die.”

“No one wants to die, my friend but we all do.”

“I—I mean, I don’t want to die—like this.”

“It isn’t so bad. You won’t feel much pain. I promise.”

“But there will be some, yes?”

“Death is like love, to experience and appreciate it more, you do have to suffer, somewhat.”

“But I was told there would be an injection.”

“You were told wrong. Now please, hold still while I tighten these straps.”

“How—how—how long does the pain last?”

“Usually less than five to maybe seven to ten seconds. Technically, you’ll be dead the second it starts.”

“I guess that’s not so bad, then. But what if I don’t die? What then?”

“That’s never happened, but—if it did, you’ll have wished you were dead. You’ll become nothing more than a squashed tomato.

“Okay, straps are tight enough and I just got the sign that it’s time.”

“I guess then that ….”