Американские боги

           Jacquel’spracticedhandssmoothingthathatredandpainaway,rebuildingafaceforWednesdaywithmortician’swaxandmake-up,givinghimafinalpeaceanddignitythatevendeathhaddeniedhim.

           Still,thebodyseemednosmallerindeath.Ithadnotshrunk.AnditstillsmelledfaintlyofJackDaniel’s.

           Thewindfromtheplainswasrising:hecouldhearithowlingaroundtheoldmotelattheexactimaginarycenterofAmerica.Thecandlesonthewindowsillgutteredandflickered.

           Hecouldhearfootstepsinthehallway.Someoneknockedonadoor,called,"Hurryupplease,it’stime,"andtheybegantoshufflein,headslowered.

           Towncameinfirst,followedbyMediaandMr.NancyandCzernobog.Lastofallcamethefatkid:hehadfreshredbruisesonhisface,andhislipsweremovingallthetime,asifhewererecitingsomewordstohimself,buthewasmakingnosound.Shadowfoundhimselffeelingsorryforhim.

           Informally,withoutawordbeingspoken,theyrangedthemselvesaboutthebody,eachanarm’slengthawayfromthenext.Theatmosphereintheroomwasreligious—deeplyreligious,inawaythatShadowhadneverpreviouslyexperienced.Therewasnosoundbutthehowlingofthewindandthecracklingofthecandles.

           "Wearecometogether,hereinthisgodlessplace,"saidLoki,"topassonthebodyofthisindividualtothosewhowilldisposeofitproperlyaccordingtotherites.Ifanyonewouldliketosaysomething,sayitnow.