From the Bookshelf of Around the Year in 52 Books …

Now see me. People here know that I caused it all. They want to see my blood, they want to make me suffer, and then they want to kill me. Whatever happens after this ... let me stop.

Tonight, you want to know how I came to be what I am. You want to know how I got here ... It's a long story. But I'll tell you ... I'll tell you. You're a fool if you believe what others say about me. I tell you my story to avert all those lies. Thankfully, even my long story will fit on that laptop of yours.

I ha

Now see me. People here know that I caused it all. They want to see my blood, they want to make me suffer, and then they want to kill me. Whatever happens after this ... let me stop.

Tonight, you want to know how I came to be what I am. You want to know how I got here ... It's a long story. But I'll tell you ... I'll tell you. You're a fool if you believe what others say about me. I tell you my story to avert all those lies. Thankfully, even my long story will fit on that laptop of yours.

I have two days. I hope it's enough time. it will all catch up to me soon.

My mother named me Onyesonwu. It means "Who fears death?" She named me well. I was born twenty years ago, during troubled times. Ironically I grew up far from all the killing ...

"How come I can do it?" I asked Mwita, once they'd left. "Aro never mentioned anything like this traveling ability."

Mwita sighed, letting go of his anger at me. "I think I know why," Mwita surprised me by saying.

"Huh?" I said. "Really?"

"It's not the time," he said.

"I have twenty-four hours to live," I said angrily. "When do you plan to tell me?"

"In twenty-five," he said.