Foxglove common was London's most northern public park. Wraith had never been there before. He felt on the very edge lands of London. Behind him he could see the distant glow of the city.
Hex sniffed the air. "Smells funny, like the scent of perfume, or is that just how the English countryside smells?"
Wraith didn't know. But what he did know was that Hex had been digging up some very good coins of late. His financial worries weren't over but the steady side income was making things a lot easier.
"How about you just have a good run for yourself now instead of tonight Hex." Wraith said to Hex. "I don't mind waiting and besides those coins, well you know, thanks. Thanks a lot."
"A good run you say." Hex grunted.
Wraith could see he was excited by the thought. "I'll wait honest. Go chase the foxes and hares. Splash through the rivers and streams."
Hex sniffed the air again and thought for a moment. "It smells like teen spirit." He then made a dash for the undergrowth. He called out over his shoulder as he went. "I'll be back before you know it boss."
Wraith waved a hand and Hex was gone.
In the silence that followed, Wraith thought about having to visit his mother. It wasn't that he didn't want to; he loved her with all his heart. He just felt for all that she had given him, he couldn't pay it back. He would forever be in her debt. He knew it was a stupid feeling, but it was there within his heart. But he knew he had to at some point see her. They needed to talk about the thing that dwelt in her belly.
He took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. Damn, he thought with pleasant surprise. The air, it really does smell like perfume. Somewhere off in the darkness he could make out the faint tune of music. He then noticed that was the only sound. He couldn't hear the wind or the tree branches. Nothing except a sound that was beginning to change.
Wraith listened more deeply this time. There was a flute, a violin, a whole band playing something he had never heard before. It sounded like ambient music mixed with something old. Wraith himself was old, but this was much deeper, much more primal.
He walked slowly towards the strange sound. Then through the tree line he suddenly caught sight of a light and he knew what it was. What they were.
A quiver of buttermilk white fluttered over to him from the light and formed into the small shape of a female faerie.
"A goodly good dash of luck for you Sir." It said in the sweetest voice Wraith had ever heard.
"Our Queen of thy oak wishes to be knowing that you may speak with and to her."
Wraith knew it was rare to see a faerie these days. The last concrete report of one was over 100 years ago. He also knew that people had missing time in their company, sometimes it was for hours or a day. But sometimes it could be months or even years.
"I'm sorry." Wraith apologised and took a step backwards. He knew it was wrong but he didn't know what else to do. Things were moving fast. A bit too fast for him.
"I promise with crosses and hearts and the oath of our Queen there be no harming of you." The faerie pointed to the children's playground area. Wraith saw a young woman in a long gold and silver dress playing on the swings. Wraith also noticed she was human sized. "She awaits within your frame for thee." The faerie said.
What choice did he have? He thanked the faerie kindly; the little thing blushed and spun away into the forest to where the music still played. Wraith squared up his jacket and tucked in his shirt before walking over to meet the Queen of the faeries.