Американские боги

           Whatareknife-cutstoacorpse?

           Shebroughtherfistdown,hard,onhiswavingwrist,andtheknifewentflyingtothefloorofthecavern.Shekickeditaway.

           Andnowhewascryingandwailing.Shecouldfeelhimpushingagainsther,hishandsfumblingatherback,hishottearsonherneck.Hisbloodwassoakingherback,spurtingdownthebackofherlegs.

           "Thismustlooksoundignified,"shesaid,inadeadwhisperwhichwasnotwithoutacertaindarkamusement.

           ShefeltMr.Worldstumblebehindher,andshestumbledtoo,andthensheslippedintheblood—allofithis—thatwaspuddlingonthefloorofthecave,andtheybothwentdown.

           ThethunderbirdlandedintheRockCityparkinglot.Rainwasfallinginsheets.Shadowcouldbarelyseeadozenfeetinfrontofhisface.Heletgoofthethunderbird’sfeathersandhalf-slipped,half-tumbledtothewettarmac.

           Thebirdlookedathim.Lightningflashed,andthebirdwasgone.

           Shadowclimbedtohisfeet.

           Theparkinglotwasthree-quartersempty.Shadowstartedtowardtheentrance.HepassedabrownFordExplorer,parkedagainstarockwall.Therewassomethingdeeplyfamiliaraboutthecar,andheglancedupatitcuriously,noticingthemaninsidethecar,slumpedoverthesteeringwheelasifasleep.

           Shadowpulledopenthedriver’sdoor.

           HehadlastseenMr.TownstandingoutsidethemotelinthecenterofAmerica.