Whispering Suits

I offer to walk Dan to Nic's but Gran tells me she has it all sorted, she wants to get to know Nic's mum a little better now that she's technically Dan's guardian. I walk with them part of the way so that I can grab the bus into town. Thankfully, the bus is fairly empty so I can grab a seat near the back and shove on my headphones. I select a random playlist on Spotify, and try to relax as the bus sets off. It's only a few stops to the library, which I'm glad of because it looks like it might rain soon. I feel the chill in the air as I get off the bus, I'll have to start wearing my winter clothes soon. I wonder if my old jumper has another season of wear left in it, but I remember the holes at the elbows and the fraying on the hems and think most likely not. Gran has been saying she wants to buy us new clothes, and I might have to let her if I don't want to freeze half to death. I decide to bring it up with her later today, we can plan a shopping trip next week or something. I head into the library and briefly consider asking the librarian at the desk for help, but what would I even say. ‘Hi, do you have any books on Faeries, Magic, and maybe a handy guide on using magic without dying?’. No, that would not end well. Besides, I've allotted the whole day to this. I'll go to the cafe tomorrow, that should still give me one day to read everything I've found and make a plan for my meeting with Cyrus. I start with the fantasy section, afterall, I am looking for a Faerie story. I spot some dramatic soppy romances, but I don't think they're going to be much help to me. I'm not looking for love, I'm looking for truth. I swiftly move onto the non-fiction section. They have a whole set of shelves dedicated to ‘new age religions’, including witchcraft, so I sit on the floor and flick through the books. I find an interesting one on Tarot, though it's more geared towards how to read fortunes it might help me at least get more familiar with what the different cards mean and represent. I also grab the ‘Protection Spells and Charms’ book. If I can't track down mum's friend from Nat's cafe, then at least I'll have some idea of how to protect myself. I finish checking the whole section, then move on to the next set of shelves. I wander over to the Myths and Legends section. There are a few books on Greek, Roman and Norse mythology, and then I spot a book that stands out on the shelf. It has a leather bound cover, which makes it look very fancy next to all the standard hardback books. The lettering on the cover is embossed into the leather, the curves of the gothic text creating ridges in the fabric. The title reads ‘Faerie’. Nothing else, just that one word. I balance the other books I've collected on the shelf and pick it up, the book is heavy and the pages look strangely aged. This doesn't look like a library book at all, more like some strange ancient adventures’ diary. I open the cover, and the front page has a carefully drawn ink map of a city. It looks familiar, but there's no labels and I can't quite place where it is a map of. On the next page is written ‘Notes from the Author: If you have found this journal, then you have entered the world of Faeries. This journal contains all my observations and knowledge, gained from spending time with the Faeries of our world. Reader be warned, it is too late for me, I am part of their world now. It is my last hope that these notes will be of use to someone, that perhaps I can spare another from this fate. I wish you the best, fellow traveller. Sincerely, Jonathan Mossman.’ I feel myself trembling as I read the words over and over. Is it really possible that I've found something helpful? It seems too much of a coincidence, too perfect, but I'm not about to turn up the only chance I might have to learn from someone who has experienced dealing with The Fae first hand. I flip the book over and am not surprised to find there is no barcode, no library reference card. This book isn't from the library, somebody, something, put it here. And I get the distinct feeling that it was put here for me, only me. I check that no one is watching before I tuck the book into my bag. Then, I grab the other books I'd picked up before and head to the library desk to check them out. The librarian doesn't ask for my card, I'm in here often enough that she knows my library member number by heart. She types it into the computer and then scans the books in, giving me a quiet smile as she does so. It's the reason I like it here so much, no expectations to speak, no need to make polite conversation. It's a library, silence is very much appreciated. She hands me the books and for a moment I feel guilty about not at least asking her about the Faerie journal I found. But, I try to convince myself that it's for her own protection. If I had shown her the book, then maybe somehow she'd get dragged into this mess with me. And if Jonathan’s warning in the book is anything to go off, this could be a one way journey. I give her a nod goodbye, and head out. I suppose it's early enough in the day that I could go to Nat's cafe, but I can't read this book in front of her and I'm too eager to see what it has to say. Maybe, it will give me some idea of how to get Nat on my side, then I might not need Cyrus to help me at all. I head to my other favourite cafe, The Old Bell. It's tucked away down a corner street but the food is good and the staff are nice, and it's not too expensive either. I get set up at a corner table, one of the ones that has a sofa seat on one side. I order a cup of fruit tea and a slice of carrot cake. Once the waitress has brought everything over, I get settled with the book and carefully open the cover. The author's note stares back at me for a moment, but despite the warning I can't resist the temptation to learn more. I tentatively turn the page and begin to read.