Американские боги

           "Heck,Mike.IjusthopesheturnsupintheTwinCitieswithsomedopeyboyfriend.""Youthinkit’slikely?"

           "Ithinkit’spossible.Youwanttojointhehuntingparty?"

           ShadowrememberedseeingthegirlinHenning’sFarmandHomeSupplies,theflashofashyblue-bracedsmile,howbeautifulhehadknownshewasgoingtobeoneday."I’llcome,"hesaid.

           Thereweretwodozenmenandwomenwaitinginthelobbyofthefirestation.ShadowrecognizedHinzelmann,andseveralotherfaceslookedfamiliar.Therewereseveralpoliceofficers,dressedinblue,andsomemenandwomenfromtheLumberCountysheriff’sdepartment,dressedinbrown.

           ChadMulligantoldthemwhatAlisonwaswearingwhenshevanished(ascarletsnowsuit,greengloves,bluewoolenhatunderthehoodofhersnowsuit)anddividedthevolunteersintogroupsofthree.Shadow,Hinzelmann,andamannamedBrogancomprisedoneofthegroups.Theywereremindedhowshortthedaylightperiodwas,toldthatif,godforbid,theyfoundAlison’sbodytheywerenotrepeatnottodisturbanything,justtoradiobackforhelp,butthatifshewasalivetheyweretokeepherwarmuntilhelpcame.

           TheyweredroppedoffoutonCountyW.

           Hinzelmann,BroganandShadowwalkedalongtheedgeofafrozencreek.Eachgroupofthreehadbeenissuedasmallhand-heldwalkie-talkiebeforetheyleft.

           Thecloudcoverwaslow,andtheworldwasgray.