The Holder of Futility

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Futility". If the receptionist looks up or says something to you, you have arrived before you should. Do not attempt finding this Object again for at least ten days, unless you wish to be lost to the world forever. But, if the receptionist ignores you completely, keep asking to see the Holder.

Eventually, you will feel a hand on your shoulder and a voice will say to you, "She won't help you because she doesn't know. It's hopeless trying to ask her again." The voice belongs to a man whose old age is apparent and the large bags under his eyes hint that he has seen too much in his life. He will lead you down a series of hallways lined with patients screaming for release and he will ask you questions along the way. Answer them as honestly as you can or you will find yourself among the screaming masses.

When the man comes to a halt and the screaming stops, you will have come to the right place. He will gesture to a door. Make sure it's the door to his left, regardless of whether he is facing you or not, for the door to his right leads to a realm of nothingness where you will exist forever with no one able to hear your cries for help. If he does gesture to his right, leave now for the Holder doesn't find you worthy yet.

The second the door closes behind you the room will be engulfed in complete darkness. A shaft of light will shine down on a young boy, barely five years of age, holding something. If it is anything but a teddy bear, pray now that your death is swift, for you have little time to do so. Approach the young boy and ask him, "Why should we even bother trying?"

The boy will speak in the old man's voice, for they are one and the same, and tell of every time in history that a person's actions were futile and he will also tell of their depression and sorrow. You will feel each person's grief as if it were your own and it will make you feel helpless and worthless. If you make it through this ordeal with your sanity intact, the boy will hand you his bear and you are now allowed to leave.

The teddy bear is Object 322 of 2538. There are some things in this world that you can't prevent, but bringing them together is not one of them.