Американские боги

           Youstartlightingcandleswithalighter,theendgetstoohot."

           Theyreachedroomfive.

           "Youwanttocomein?"askedLoki.

           Shadowdidn’twanttoenterthatroom."Okay,"hesaid.Theywentin.

           Lokitookaboxofmatchesfromhispocket,andthumb-nailedamatchintoflame.ThemomentaryflarehurtShadow’seyes.Acandlewickflickeredandcaught.Andanother.Lokilitanewmatch,andcontinuedtolightcandles:theywereonthewindowsillsandontheheadboardofthebedandonthesinkinthecorneroftheroom.Theyshowedhimtheroombycandlelight.

           Thebedhadbeenhauledfromitspositionagainstthewallintothemiddleofthemotelroom,leavingafewfeetofspacebetweenthebedandthewalloneachside.Thereweresheetsdrapedoverthebed,oldmotelsheets,moth-holedandstained,whichLokimusthavefoundinaclosetsomewhere.OntopofthesheetslayWednesday,perfectlystill.

           Hewasfullydressed,inthepalesuithehadbeenwearingwhenhewasshot.Therightsideofhisfacewasuntouched,perfect,unmarredbyblood.Theleftsideofhisfacewasaraggedmess,andtheleftshoulderandfrontofthesuitwasspatteredwithdarkspots,apointillistmess.Hishandswereathissides.Theexpressiononthatwreckofafacewasfarfrompeaceful:itlookedhurt—asoul-hurt,arealdowndeephurt,filledwithhatredandangerandrawcraziness.And,onsomelevel,itlookedsatisfied.

           ShadowimaginedMr.