The Power

by Naomi Alderman

Sister Maria Ignacia speaks softly. “I have heard that it is caused by pollution. There was an interesting piece in the newspaper. Pollution in the atmosphere causing certain mutations in the—” “It is the Devil. The Devil walks abroad and tests the innocent and the guilty, giving powers to the damned, as he has always done.”

And—who can say why these things happen on Thursday, when the same events might have gone unremarked on Tuesday?—

The woman says, “We want you to know, Madam Mayor, that everyone in the building is being tested. You haven’t been singled out.” “Even the men?” Margot raises an eyebrow. “Well, no, not the men.”

For the true religion is love, not fear. The strong mother cradling her child: that is love and that is truth.

“They should shoot those girls. Just shoot them. In the head. Bam. End of story.” “You can’t shoot all the women, Daniel.” “It’s OK, Margot, we wouldn’t shoot you.” “Yeah, that’s comforting.” “Oh. Sorry. Your daughter. I forgot. She’s…I wouldn’t shoot her.”

the real reason is that she can’t stop thinking of the look she’d see on Daniel’s face if she got it. She wants it because she wants to knock him down.