Американские боги

           Nancywasinroomeight,andShadowoppositethetwoofthem,inroomnine.Theroomsmelleddamp,anddusty,anddeserted.Therewasabed-frameinthere,withamattressonit,butnosheets.Alittlelightenteredtheroomfromthegloamingoutsidethewindow.Shadowsatdownonthemattress,pulledoffhisshoes,andstretchedoutatfulllength.Hehaddriventoomuchinthelastfewdays.

           Perhapsheslept.

           Hewaswalking.

           Acoldwindtuggedathisclothes.Thetinysnowflakeswerelittlemorethanacrystallinedustwhichgustedandflurriedinthewind.

           Thereweretrees,bareofleavesinthewinter.Therewerehighhillsoneachsideofhim.Itwaslateonawinter’safternoon:theskyandthesnowhadattainedthesamedeepshadeofpurple.Somewhereaheadofhim—inthislight,distanceswereimpossibletojudge—theflamesofabonfireflickered,yellowandorange.

           Agraywolfpaddedthroughthesnowbeforehim.

           Shadowstopped.Thewolfstoppedalso,andturned,andwaited.Oneofitseyesglintedyellowish-green.Shadowshruggedandwalkedtowardtheflamesandthewolfambledaheadofhim.

           Thebonfireburnedinthemiddleofagroveoftrees.Theremusthavebeenahundredtrees,plantedintworows.Therewereshapeshangingfromthetrees.Attheendoftherowswasabuildingthatlookedalittlelikeanoverturnedboat.