Американские боги
Chapter 9
"I’msupposedtogoupthere?"
Thedreamtookhimthen,theideabecomingthethingitself,andShadowwascrushedintotherockandearth.Hewaslikeamole,tryingtopushthroughtheearth,likeabadger,climbingthroughtheearth,likeagroundhog,pushingtheearthoutofhisway,likeabear,buttheearthwastoohard,toodense,andhisbreathwascomingingasps,andsoonhecouldgonofurther,digandclimbnomore,andheknewthenthathewoulddie,somewhereinthedeepplacebeneaththeworld.
Hisownstrengthwasnotenough.Hiseffortsbecameweaker.Heknewthatthoughhisbodywasridinginahotbusthroughcoldwoodsifhestoppedbreathinghere,beneaththeworld,hewouldstopbreathingthereaswell,thatevennowhisbreathwascominginshallowpantinggasps.
Hestruggledandhepushed,evermoreweakly,eachmovementusingpreciousair.Hewastrapped:couldgonofurther,andcouldnotreturnthewaythathehadcome.
"Nowbargain,"saidavoiceinhismind.Itmighthavebeenhisownvoice.Hecouldnottell.
"WhatdoIhavetobargainwith?"Shadowasked."Ihavenothing."
Hecouldtastetheclaynow,thickandmud-grittyinhismouth;hecouldtastethesharpmineraltangoftherocksthatsurroundedhim.
AndthenShadowsaid,"Exceptmyself.
