Американские боги

           "Sorry?"

           "Thinkofitasbeingbehindthescenes.Likeinatheatreorsomething.Ijustpulledusoutoftheaudienceandnowwe’rewalkingaboutbackstage.It’sashortcut."

           "WhenItouchedthatbone.IwasinthemindofaguynamedTown.He’swiththatspookshow.Hehatesus."

           "Yes."

           "He’sgotabossnamedMisterWorld.Heremindsmeofsomeone,butIdon’tknowwho.IwaslookingintoTown’shead—ormaybeIwasinhishead.I’mnotcertain."

           "Dotheyknowwherewe’reheaded?"

           "Ithinkthey’recallingoffthehuntrightnow.Theydidn’twanttofollowustothereservation.Arewegoingtoareservation?"

           "Maybe."Wednesdayleanedonhisstaffforamoment,thencontinuedtowalk.

           "Whatwasthatspiderthing?"

           "Apatternmanifestation.Asearchengine."

           "Aretheydangerous?"

           "Youonlygettobemyagebyassumingtheworst."

           Shadowsmiled."Andhowoldwouldthatbe?"

           "Oldasmytongue,"saidWednesday."Andafewmonthsolderthanmyteeth."

           "Youplayyourcardssoclosetoyourchest,"saidShadow,"thatI’mnotevensurethatthey’rereallycardsatall."

           Wednesdayonlygrunted.

           Eachhilltheycametowashardertoclimb.