Американские боги

           Shadowbrushedhisteethandwashedhisfaceinthecoldwaterofthelittlebathroom,andthenwalkedbackdownthehalltothesittingroom,turnedoutthelight,andwasasleepbeforehisheadtouchedthepillow.

           TherewereexplosionsinShadow’sdream:hewasdrivingatruckthroughaminefield,andbombsweregoingoffoneachsideofhim.Thewindshieldshatteredandhefeltwarmbloodrunningdownhisface.

           Someonewasshootingathim.

           Abulletpuncturedhislung,abulletshatteredhisspine,anotherhithisshoulder.Hefelteachbulletstrike.Hecollapsedacrossthesteeringwheel.

           Thelastexplosionendedindarkness.

           Imustbedreaming,thoughtShadow,aloneinthedarkness.IthinkIjustdied.Herememberedhearingandbelieving,asachild,thatifyoudiedinyourdreams,youwoulddieinreallife.Hedidnotfeeldead.Heopenedhiseyes,experimentally.

           Therewasawomaninthelittlesittingroom,standingagainstthewindow,withherbacktohim.Hisheartmissedahalf-beat,andhesaid,"Laura?"

           Sheturned,framedbythemoonlight."I’msorry,"shesaid."Ididnotmeantowakeyou."Shehadasoft,EasternEuropeanaccent."Iwillgo."

           "No,it’sokay,"saidShadow."Youdidn’twakeme.Ihadadream."

           "Yes,"shesaid."Youwerecryingout,andmoaning.Partofmewantedtowakeyou,butIthought,no,Ishouldleavehim."

           Herhairwaspaleandcolorlessinthemoon’sthinlight.Sheworeawhitecottonnightgown,withahighlaceneckandahemthatswepttheground.Shadowsatup,entirelyawake."YouareZoryaPolu...,"hehesitated.