Американские боги

           Heimaginedhecouldseethefacesofchildrenstaringupathimreproachfullyfrombeneaththewater’sglassysurface:theirfaceswerewaterloggedandsoftened,theirblindeyesclouded.Therewasnowindinthatundergroundcaverntodisturbtheblacksurfaceofthelake.

           "SoI’mdead,"saidShadow.Hewasgettingusedtotheidea."OrI’mgoingtobedead."

           "WeareonourwaytotheHalloftheDead.IrequestedthatIbetheonetocomeforyou."

           "Why?"

           "I’mapsychopomp.Ilikeyou.Youwereahardworker.Whynot?"

           "Because…"Shadowmarshaledhisthoughts."BecauseIneverbelievedinyou.BecauseIdon’tknowmuchaboutEgyptianmythology.BecauseIdidn’texpectthis.WhathappenedtoSaintPeterandthePearlyGates?"

           Thelong-beakedwhiteheadshookfromsidetoside,gravely."Itdoesn’tmatterthatyoudidn’tbelieveinus,"saidMr.Ibis."Webelievedinyou."

           Theboattouchedbottom.Mr.Ibissteppedofftheside,intothepool,andtoldShadowtodothesame.Mr.Ibistookalinefromtheprowoftheboat,andpassedShadowthelanterntocarry.Itwasintheshapeofacrescentmoon.Theywalkedashore,andMr.Ibistiedtheboattoametalringsetintherockfloor.ThenhetookthelampfromShadowandwalkedswiftlyforward,holdingthelamphighashewalked,throwingvastshadowsacrosstherockfloorandthehighrockwalls.