Американские боги

           Heedgedforwardasslowlyashecould.Themoonabovehimglitteredthroughtheice-crystalsintheair:therewasaringaboutthemoon,amoonbow,diffusingthelight.Itwasbeautiful,butitmadewalkingharder.Thepathwasunreliable.

           Hereachedtheplacewherethepathdivided.

           Helookedatthefirstpathwithafeelingofrecognition.Itopenedintoavastchamber,orasetofchambers,likeadarkmuseum.Heknewitalready.Hehadbeenthereonce,althoughforseveralmomentshewasunabletorememberwhereorwhen.Hecouldhearthelongechoesoftinynoises.Hecouldhearthenoisethatthedustmakesasitsettles.

           Itwastheplacethathehaddreamedof,thatfirstnightthatLaurahadcometohim,inthemotel,solongago;theendlessmemorialhalltothegodsthatwereforgotten,andtheoneswhoseveryexistencehadbeenlost.

           Hetookastepbackward.

           Hewalkedtothepathonthefarside,andlookedahead.TherewasaDisneylandqualitytothecorridor:blackPlexiglaswallswithlightssetinthem.Thecoloredlightsblinkedandflashedintheillusionoforder,fornoparticularreason,liketheconsolelightsonatelevisionstarship.

           Hecouldhearsomethingthereaswell:adeepvibratingbassdronewhichShadowcouldfeelinthepitofhisstomach.

           Hestoppedandlookedaround.Neitherwayseemedright.Notanylonger.Hewasdonewithpaths.