Американские боги

           1,084),"theexactcenterofAmericaisatinyrun-downpark,anemptychurch,apileofstones,andaderelictmotel."

           "Hogfarm,"saidCzernobog."YoujustsaidthattherealcenterofAmericawasahogfarm."

           "Thisisn’taboutwhatis,"saidMr.Nancy."It’saboutwhatpeoplethinkis.It’sallimaginaryanyway.That’swhyit’simportant.Peopleonlyfightoverimaginarythings."

           "Mykindofpeople?"askedShadow."Oryourkindofpeople?"

           Nancysaidnothing.Czernobogmadeanoisethatmighthavebeenachuckle,mighthavebeenasnort.

           Shadowtriedtogetcomfortableinthebackofthebus.Hehadsleptalittle,butonlyalittle.Hehadabadfeelinginthepitofhisstomach.Worsethanthefeelinghehadhadinprison,worsethanthefeelinghehadhadbackwhenLaurahadcometohimandtoldhimabouttherobbery.Thiswasbad.Thebackofhisneckprickled,hefeltsickand,severaltimes,inwaves,hefeltscared.

           Mr.NancypulledoverinHumansville,parkedoutsideasupermarket.Mr.Nancywentinside,andShadowfollowedhimin.Czernobogwaitedintheparkinglot,stretchinghislegs,smokinghiscigarette.

           Therewasayoungfair-hairedman,littlemorethanaboy,restockingthebreakfastcerealshelves.

           "Hey,"saidMr.Nancy.

           "Hey,"saidtheyoungman."It’strue,isn’tit?Theykilledhim?"

           "Yes,"saidMr.