Американские боги

           Nancyopenedthemotellobbydoorforhim,thenhurriedoverandopenedthebackofthebus.TheotherfourwerealreadystandingbytheirHumvee,watchingthemasiftheycouldnotwaittobeoff.Lokihadputhisdriver’scapbackon.Thecoldwindwhippedatthesheets,tuggedatShadowashewalked.

           HeplacedWednesdaydownasgentlyashecouldinthebackofthebus.

           Someonetappedhimontheshoulder.Heturned.Townstoodtherewithhishandout.Hewasholdingsomething.

           "Here,"saidMr.Town,"MisterWorldwantedyoutohavethis."Itwasaglasseye.Therewasahairlinecrackdownthemiddleofit,andatinychipgonefromthefront."WefounditintheMasonichall,whenwewerecleaningup.Keepitforluck.Godknowsyou’llneedit."

           Shadowclosedhishandaroundtheeye.Hewishedhecouldcomebackwithsomethingsmartandsharpandclever,butTownwasalreadybackattheHumvee,andclimbingupintothecar;andShadowstillcouldn’tthinkofanythingclevertosay.

           Czernobogwasthelastpersonoutofthemotel.AshelockedthebuildinghewatchedtheHumveepulloutoftheparkandheadoffdowntheblacktop.Heputthekeytothemotelbeneatharockbythelobbydoor,andheshookhishead."Ishouldhaveeatenhisheart,"hesaidtoShadow,conversationally."Notjustcursedhisdeath.Heneedstobetaughtrespect."Heclimbedintothebackofthebus.

           "Yourideshotgun,"saidMr.NancytoShadow.