Американские боги

           "Yes,"shesaid."It’syours."Andthen,notknowingifitwouldmeananything,shesaid,"IdedicatethisdeathtoShadow,"andshestabbedthestickintoherchest,justbelowthebreastbone,feltitwritheandchangeinherhandsasthestickbecameaspear.

           Theboundarybetweensensationandpainhaddiffusedsinceshehaddied.Shefeltthespearheadpenetrateherchest,feltitpushoutthroughherback.Amoment’sresistance—shepushedharder—andthespearthrustintoMr.World.Shecouldfeelthewarmbreathofhimonthecoolskinofherneck,ashewailedinhurtandsurprise,impaledonthespear.

           Shedidnotrecognizethewordshespoke,northelanguagehesaidthemin.Shepushedtheshaftofthespearfurtherin,forcingitthroughherbody,intoandthroughhis.

           Shecouldfeelhishotbloodspurtingontoherback.

           "Bitch,"hesaid,inEnglish."Youfuckingbitch."Therewasawetgurglingqualitytohisvoice.Sheguessedthatthebladeofthespearmusthaveslicedalung.Mr.Worldwasmovingnow,ortryingtomove,andeverymovehemaderockedhertoo:theywerejoinedbythepole,impaledtogetherliketwofishonasinglespear.Henowhadaknifeinonehand,shesaw,andhestabbedherchestandbreastsrandomlyandwildlywiththeknife,unabletoseewhathewasdoing.

           Shedidnotcare.