Американские боги

           "AsfarasIknow,thethinkingonthissideofthefencewasthatwiththetroublemakeroutoftheway,thetroublewouldalsobegone.It’snotanyofmybusiness,though.Ijustdrive."

           "Sotellme,"saidShadow,"whydoeseveryonecareaboutme?TheyactlikeI’mimportant.WhydoesitmatterwhatIdo."

           "You’reaninvestment,"saidLoki."YouwereimportanttousbecauseyouwereimportanttoWednesday.Asforthewhyofit…Idon’tthinkanyofusknow.Hedid.He’sdead.Justanotheroneoflife’slittlemysteries."

           "I’mtiredofmysteries."

           "Yeah?Ithinktheyaddakindofzesttotheworld.Likesaltinastew."

           "Soyou’retheirdriver.Youdriveforallofthem?"

           "Whoeverneedsme,"saidLoki."It’saliving."

           Heraisedhiswristwatchtohisface,pressedabutton:thedialglowedagentleblue,whichilluminatedhisface,givingitahaunting,hauntedappearance."Fivetomidnight.Time,"saidLoki."Timetolightthecandles.Sayafewwordsaboutthedearlydeparted.Dotheformalities.Youcoming?"

           Shadowtookadeepbreath."I’mcoming,"hesaid.

           Theywalkeddownthedarkmotelcorridor."Iboughtsomecandlesforthis,buttherewereplentyofoldonesaroundtoo,"saidLoki."Oldstumpsandstubsandcandle-endsintherooms,andinaboxinacloset.Idon’tthinkImissedany.AndIgotaboxofmatches.