On August 18, 2026, the State of Florida executed William Silvia. The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood was in the chamber. His hand was on Will's leg when the poison started.

William heard voices. Conversations constantly all around him, and nobody was ever there. In 2012, this very sick man asked the State of Florida to help him die faster. The State said yes and held him to it for fourteen years.

Nobody Is There collects seven essays written by Hood in real time...from the signing of the death warrant to the days after the execution. There is no comfortable distance in these pages. You will sit in the visitation room. You will hear the cartoons. You will keep watch through the last night. You will stand in the chamber. Executions survive on distance. These essays bring you close.