Американские боги

           Shadowfelthimselfbeinghauledacrosstheice,slidingonhisbackacrosstheslicksurface,andhewantedtoprotest,toexplainthathejustneededalittlerest—maybealittlesleep,wasthataskingforsomuch?—andhewouldbejustfine.Iftheyjustlefthimalone.

           Hedidnotbelievethathehadfallenasleep,buthewasstandingonavastplain,andtherewasamantherewiththeheadandshouldersofabuffalo,andawomanwiththeheadofanenormouscondor,andtherewasWhiskeyJackstandingbetweenthem,lookingathimsadly,shakinghishead.

           WhiskeyJackturnedandwalkedslowlyawayfromShadow.TheBuffalomanwalkedawaybesidehim.Thethunderbirdwomanalsowalked,andthensheduckedandkickedandshewasglidingoutintotheskies.

           Shadowfeltasenseofloss.Hewantedtocalltothem,topleadwiththemtocomeback,nottogiveuponhim,buteverythingwasbecomingformlessanddevoidofshape:theyweregone,andtheplainswerefading,andeverythingbecamevoid.

           Thepainwasintense:itwasasifeverycellinhisbody,everynerve,wasmeltingandwakingandadvertisingitspresencebyburninghimandhurtinghim.

           Therewasahandatthebackofhishead,grippingitbythehair,andanotherhandbeneathhischin.Heopenedhiseyes,expectingtofindhimselfinsomekindofhospital.

           Hisfeetwerebare.Hewaswearingjeans.Hewasnakedfromthewaistup.Therewassteamintheair.