Американские боги

           Hecouldseeashavingmirroronthewallfacinghim,andasmallbasin,andabluetoothbrushinatoothpaste-stainedglass.

           Informationwasprocessedslowly,onedatumatatime.

           Hisfingersburned.Histoesburned.

           Hebegantowhimperfromthepain.

           "Easynow,Mike.Easythere,"saidavoiceheknew.

           "What?"hesaid,ortriedtosay."What’shappening?"Itsoundedstrainedandstrangetohisears.

           Hewasinabathtub.Thewaterwashot.Hethoughtthewaterwashot,althoughhecouldnotbecertain.Thewaterwasuptohisneck.

           "Dumbestthingyoucandowithafellowfreezingtodeathistoputhiminfrontofafire.Thesecond-dumbestthingyoucandoistowraphiminblankets—especiallyifhe’sincoldwetclothesalready.Blanketsinsulatehim—keepthecoldin.Thethird-dumbestthing—andthisismyprivateopinion—istotakethefellow’sbloodout,warmitup,andputitback.That’swhatdoctorsdothesedays.Complicated,expensive.Dumb."Thevoicewascomingfromaboveandbehindhishead.

           "Thesmartest,quickestthingyoucandoiswhatsailorshavedonetomenoverboardforhundredsofyears.Youputthefellowinhotwater.Nottoohot.Justhot.Now,justsoyouknow,youwerebasicallydead,whenIfoundyouontheicebackthere.Howareyoufeelingnow,Houdini?""Ithurts,"saidShadow."Everythinghurts.Yousavedmylife.