Американские боги

           Therewasfruitthatgrewuponthetreesintheboneorchard,inhisdream,andtherewassomethingverydisturbingaboutthefruitinthedream,butonwakinghecouldnolongerrememberwhatstrangefruitgrewohthetrees,norwhyhefounditsorepellent.

           Carspassedhim.Shadowwishedthattherewasasidewalk.Hetrippedonsomethingthathecouldnotseeinthedarkandsprawledintotheditchonthesideoftheroad,hisrighthandsinkingintoseveralinchesofcoldmud.Heclimbedtohisfeetandwipedhishandsonthelegofhispants.Hestoodthere,awkwardly.Hehadonlyenoughtimetoobservethattherewassomeonebesidehimbeforesomethingwetwasforcedoverhisnoseandmouth,andhetastedharsh,chemicalfumes.

           Thistimetheditchseemedwarmandcomforting.

           Shadow’stemplesfeltasiftheyhadbeenreattachedtotherestofhisskullwithroofingnails.Hishandswereboundbehindhisbackwithwhatfeltlikesomekindofstraps.Hewasinacar,sittingonleatherupholstery.Foramomenthewonderediftherewassomethingwrongwithhisdepthperceptionandthenheunderstoodthat,no,theotherseatreallywasthatfaraway.

           Therewerepeoplesittingbesidehim,buthecouldnotturntolookatthem.

           ThefatyoungmanattheotherendofthestretchlimotookacanofdietCokefromthecocktailbarandpoppeditopen.Heworealongblackcoat,madeofsomesilkymaterial,andheappearedbarelyoutofhisteens:aspatteringofacneglistenedononecheek.HesmiledwhenhesawthatShadowwasawake.

           "Hello,Shadow,"hesaid.