Американские боги

           Someonepushedsomethingsoftintohismouth,tostophimcryingout,andtapeditintoposition:easy,practicedmoves,likeabutcherguttingachicken.

           Shadowtriedtoshout,towarnWednesday,towarnthemall,butnothingcameoutofhismouthbutamufflednoise.

           "Thequarryareallinside,"saidthehalf-familiarvoice."Everyoneinposition?"Acrackleofavoice,half-audiblethrougharadio."Let’smoveinandroundthemallup."

           "Whataboutthebigguy?"saidanothervoice.

           "Packagehimup,takehimout,"saidthefirstvoice.

           Theyputabag-likehoodoverShadow’shead,andboundhiswristsandankleswithtape,andputhiminthebackofatruck,anddrovehimaway.

           TherewerenowindowsinthetinyroominwhichtheyhadlockedShadow.Therewasaplasticchair,alightweightfoldingtable,andabucketwithacoveronit,whichservedShadowasamakeshifttoilet.Therewasalsoasix-foot-longstripofyellowfoamonthefloor,andathinblanketwithalong-since-crustedbrownstaininthecenter:bloodorshitorfood,Shadowdidn’tknowanddidn’tcaretoinvestigate.Therewasanakedbulbbehindametalgrillehighintheroom,butnolightswitchthatShadowhadbeenabletofind.Thelightwasalwayson.Therewasnodoorhandleonhissideofthedoor.

           Hewashungry.