Американские боги

           "

           Oneofthenewgods—Shadowsuspecteditwasadrugfromthewayitsmiledandspangledandshivered—said,"ButMisterWorldsaid—"

           "TherewasnoMisterWorld.Thereneverwas.Hewasjustanotheroneofyoubastardstryingtofeedonthechaoshecreated."Hecouldseethattheybelievedhim,andhecouldseethehurtintheireyes.

           Shadowshookhishead."Youknow,"hesaid,"IthinkIwouldratherbeamanthanagod.Wedon’tneedanyonetobelieveinus.Wejustkeepgoinganyhow.It’swhatwedo."

           Therewassilence,inthehighplace.

           Andthen,withashockingcrack,thelightningboltfrozenintheskycrashedtothemountaintop,andthearenawententirelydark.

           Theyglowed,manyofthosepresences,inthedarkness.

           Shadowwonderediftheyweregoingtoarguewithhim,toattackhim,totrytokillhim.Hewaitedforsomekindofresponse.

           AndthenShadowrealizedthatthelightsweregoingout.Thegodswereleavingthatplace,firstinhandfuls,andthenbyscores,andfinallyintheirhundreds.

           Aspiderthesizeofarottweilerscuttledheavilytowardhim,onsevenlegs;itsclusterofeyesglowedfaintly.

           Shadowheldhisground,althoughhefeltslightlysick.

           Whenthespidergotcloseenough,itsaid,inMr.Nancy’svoice,"Thatwasagoodjob.Proudofyou.Youdonegood,kid.