Американские боги

           HaveyousleptwithWood’swidowyet?"

           Mr.Townfelloffhischair.Inamovie,itwouldhavebeenfunny;inreallifeitwassimplyclumsy.Hestoodupquickly,cametowardShadow.Shadowlookeddownathim,andsaid,"Don’tstartanythingyou’renotpreparedtofinish."

           Mr.NancyrestedhishandonShadow’supperarm."Truce,remember?"hesaid."We’reatthecenter."

           Mr.Townturnedaway,leanedovertothecounterandpickedupthreekeys."You’redownattheendofthehall,"hesaid."Here."

           HehandedthekeystoMr.Nancyandwalkedaway,intotheshadowsofthecorridor.Theyheardamotelroomdooropen,andtheyhearditslam.

           Mr.NancypassedakeytoShadow,anothertoCzernobog."Isthereaflashlightonthebus?"askedShadow.

           "No,"saidMr.Nancy."Butit’sjustdark.Youmustn’tbeafraidofthedark."

           "I’mnot,"saidShadow."I’mafraidofthepeopleinthedark."

           "Darkisgood,"saidCzernobog.Heseemedtohavenodifficultyseeingwherehewasgoing,leadingthemdownthedarkenedcorridor,puttingthekeysintothelockswithoutfumbling."Iwillbeinroomten,"hetoldthem.Andthenhesaid,"Media.IthinkIhaveheardofher.Isn’tshetheonewhokilledherchildren?"

           "Differentwoman,"saidMr.Nancy."Samedeal."

           Mr.