Американские боги

           Theyfollowedherwiththeireyesassheenteredtheroom,andtheysaidnothing.

           Laurahadnotknowntheywouldbethere.

           Somethingwriggledandfellinhernasalcavity.Laurafumbledinhersleeveforatissue,andsheblewhernoseintoit.Shecrumpledthetissueandflungitanditscontentsontothecoalsofthefire,watcheditcrumpleandblackenandbecomeorangelace.Shewatchedthemaggotsshrivelandbrownandburn.

           Thisdone,sheturnedbacktothewomenonthecouch.Theyhadnotmovedsinceshehadentered,notamuscle,notahair.Theystaredather.

           "Hello.Isthisyourfarm?"sheasked.

           Thelargestofthewomennodded.Herhandswereveryred,andherexpressionwasimpassive.

           "Shadow—that’stheguyhangingonthetree.He’smyhusband.HesaidIshouldtellyouthathewantsyoutogivemewater."Somethinglargeshiftedinherbowels.Itsquirmed,andthenwasstill.

           Thesmallestwomannodded.Sheclamberedoffthecouch.Herfeethadnotpreviouslytouchedthefloor.Shescurriedfromtheroom.

           Lauracouldheardoorsopeningandclosing,throughthefarmhouse.Then,fromoutside,shecouldhearaseriesofloudcreaks.Eachwasfollowedbyasplashofwater.

           Soonenough,thesmallwomanreturned.Shewascarryingabrownearthenwarejugofwater.Sheputitdown,carefully,onthetable,andretreatedtothecouch.