The Getaway God (Sandman Slim 6)

“I got you a black shirt to hide your wounds.”

I take the shirt and start dressing.

“Did Mr. Muninn send you here to kill me?”

He looks out the widow and doesn’t say anything for a minute.

“How does it feel to be stuck in one place at a time with no shadows to stroll through?”

“It’s only been a night. Ask me in a week.”

“You’ll be begging Father for wings.”

“Wings are for you angel types. Maybe I’ll ask for a jet pack.”

“I wouldn’t ask for anything for a while.”

He takes my arm, and in the time it takes to blink, we’re in Muninn’s penthouse in Hell.

Muninn is at his desk in the library signing and organizing papers.

“Hello, Mr. Muninn.”

He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t turn around. He just starts talking.

“However well intentioned your actions were last night, the fact remains that you broke our agreement. When I owed you a favor I complied. When you owed me a favor you couldn’t fulfill the commitment.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I stand by what I said. The universe is in bad enough shape. It doesn’t need to get worse and it would have with Chaya in charge.”

He finally turns around. He’s frowning.

“That’s not the point.”

“For me it is. I know that makes me an arrogant asshole, but so’s your kid. He agrees with me.”

Samael puts up his hands.

“I’m a neutral third party in this discussion.”

“Coward.”

“Yes.”

Muninn shakes his head. Sets down his pen on the desk.

“Everything is different now. Everything is changed.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“You’re the cause of much of it, but if I asked your opinion you’d point out that I was the original instigator. Isn’t that right?”

“Who cares how we feel about things? The universe is safe now. That’s all that matters.”

Muninn gets up and walks to a set of bookshelves, not like he’s looking for anything. He just wants time to gather his thoughts.

“I’ve been thinking about some of our earlier conversations. Samael and I have been talking them over.”

I lean on the sofa.