Who Fears Death (Who Fears Death, #1)

by Nnedi Okorafor

“Do you believe in Ani?” “No,” I said, matter-of-factly. Ani was supposed to be merciful and loving. Ani wouldn’t have allowed me to exist. I’d never believed in Ani. She was just an expression I was used to using when I was surprised or angry. “Some creator then?” he asked. I nodded. “It is cold and logical.” “Are you willing to allow others the same right to their beliefs?” “If their beliefs don’t hurt others and, when I feel the need, I am allowed call them stupid in my mind, then yes.” “Do you believe it’s your responsibility to leave this world in better shape than when you came into it?” “Yes.” He paused, looking at me more intensely. “Is it better to give or receive?” “They’re the same,” I said. “One can’t exist without the other. But if you keep giving without receiving, you’re a fool.” He chuckled at this. Then he asked, “Can you smell it?” Immediately, I knew what he spoke of. “Yes,” I said. “Strongly.” Fire, ice, iron, flesh, wood, and flowers. The sweat of life. Most of the time I forgot about the smell but I always became aware of it when strange things happened. “Can you taste it?” “Yes,” I said. “If I try.” “Do you choose it?” “No. It chose me long ago.” He nodded. “Then welcome.”