Американские боги

           Ahalf-thought:hehopeditwasnotpeoplecomingtowakehimup,tohithimortoshoutathim.Andthen,henoticedwithpleasure,hewasreallyasleep,andnolongercold.

           Somebodysomewherewasshoutingforhelp,inhisdreamoroutofit.

           Shadowrolledoveronthefoamrubber,findingnewplacesthathurtasherolled,hopingthathehadnotwokenfullyandrelievedtofindsleepwasenfoldinghimoncemore.

           Someonewasshakinghisshoulder.

           Hewantedtoaskthemnottowakehim,tolethimsleepandleavehimbe,butitcameoutasagrunt.

           "Puppy?"saidLaura."Youhavetowakeup.Pleasewakeup,hon."

           Andtherewasamoment’sgentlerelief.Hehadhadsuchastrangedream,ofprisonsandcon-menanddown-at-heelgods,andnowLaurawaswakinghimtotellhimitwastimeforwork,andperhapstherewouldbetimeenoughbeforeworktostealsomecoffeeandakiss,ormorethanakiss;andheputouthishandtotouchher.

           Herfleshwascoldasice,andsticky.

           Shadowopenedhiseyes.

           "Wheredidallthebloodcomefrom?"heasked.

           "Otherpeople,"shesaid."It’snotmine.I’mfilledwithformaldehyde,mixedwithglycerinandlanolin."

           "Whichotherpeople?"heasked.

           "Theguards,"shesaid."It’sokay.Ikilledthem.Youbettermove.