T.C. Shelley - The Werewolves Who Werent

For Wilfred and Amira, kiss kiss,

and Hazel, Beatrice and Boo. Always.

Fairies are creatures of pure mischief. The common myth that they are good is both naive and dangerous. Fairies are amoral, having interest in neither good nor evil, only fun and pleasure. They might save a life because it gives them pleasure, but they would just as easily let someone die. Their interest in humans is powerful, yet short-lived. A fairy may be as enthralled by a human as a human under the influence of dust may be enthralled by a fairy, but their devotion passes and they often leave the once-adored human lost and longing for their fairy lover. These humans will die from a failure to look after themselves, often wandering the places they had walked with their fairy, and refusing food and water until they fade away. This is a result of long-term exposure to fairy dust.

Fairy dust is a by-product of the fairy body, as sweat and dandruff are by-products of the human body, although far more magical and powerful. The greatest source of fairy dust is fairy wings. Like butterflies, fairies have beautiful dust-coloured wings. Unlike butterflies, fairies wings shed their dust, making it suitable for spells and charms.

Fairy dust can be used for everything: bewitching, manifesting, destroying, travelling, inventing, reinventing, protecting, disarming.

Fairy dust is highly valued in many human occupations. Wizards, magicians, rulers, healers and hunters alike trade great wealth for fairy dust.

From Lowri Fach ferch Cystennins The Book of Earth (translated by David Evans)

Sam huddled between three gargoyles on top of the courthouse roof and peered down over the court steps. One gargoyle was a winged lion, one a winged bull and one an eagle, but they all had the same serious expression.

Sam pulled at his stiff collar and tie. I hear crackling. What is it, Bladder?

The lion-faced gargoyle cocked his head and screwed up one eye. What ? Oh, that? Thats the arthritis in the judges neck. It crackles when he nods.

The stone bull chuckled. Even down to the arthritis in the judges neck. Only a real gargoyle can hear like that. The bull ran a hoof under one overlarge nostril. Youll still be part of our pack, wont you, Sam? When this is all done. You wont be entirely human? He sniffed. Theres still a little gargoyle in you, right?

Of course there is, Wheedle. Sam hugged the bull and kissed his friendly face.

The eagle squawked.

Thats right, Spigot, Wheedle replied.

Sam returned his attention to the courthouse. Do you think theyll say its all right? They wont send me back to Childrens Services? Theyve been talking about my mental health for a long time now. What if ?

Ooh, look what I have. Bladder grinned, his stony face turning pink in the reflection of the red roof tiles. This is my favourite.

The other gargoyles pointedly turned their attention to the newspaper clipping. Even Spigot oohed.

Youre trying to distract me, Sam said.

Is it working? Wheedle asked. No, look, youve really got to read this, its very encouraging. He pushed his bull head between Bladder and Sam.

The article showed a photo of Sams face, so dirty and mucky it was impossible to recognise him. It was the only photo the Kavanaghs had given the papers. Michelle had wanted one of him clean and neat, but Richard had said this one showed Sam at his best. Sam saw it everywhere: newsagents, bookshops, on those digital boards that rolled through various ads outside shopping centres. At first, Sam had been embarrassed, but he had grown to like the photo because it made him unrecognisable. Hed been near people discussing him and slipped by them unnoticed. The only time he had to deal with peoples attention was when reporters showed up, which reminded him of a monster stampede.

Bladder caught him thinking. Come on, read it, the stone lion said.

Sam read aloud.

Hero Finds a Home

by Olivia Webb

The adoption claim for the boy who captured the countrys imagination when he rescued baby Beatrice Kavanagh has been fast-tracked by legal agencies.

The boy, who answers to Sam, the name his future family gave him, has been widely praised for his efforts in relocating the kidnapped infant. Yesterday, in interview, the prime minister said that Sams behaviour is an example of all that is good in British children. Although Sam has no memory of his own history or how he came to be in Brighton, he returned the baby to her family in a healthy state, while he was malnourished, exhausted and in desperate need of medical treatment. Experts believe his experiences have resulted in trauma. Laura Marcinkus, a psychologist from Worthing, says, His stories help him make sense of his experience, which we have managed to unpack to find useful information. Regardless, he is nothing but brave and kind. His imagination may have been essential in helping him.

By translating Sams story code, the police believe they have discovered valuable information about a crime ring working in Sussex. D.I. Noah Kong says, Weve established there is an organisation which goes by the name of The Ogres. This is led by a male and a female. Sam calls them Thunderguts and the Crone. It is believed that the male is possibly dead, but the Crone, whose real first name is Maggie, is very much alive. We are looking into her whereabouts. She is red-haired and green-eyed. Our young hero refers to her as a witch and a banshee, which, considering her activities, is mild language indeed.

The police refuse to confirm if this has anything to do with the recent rise in missing person reports from families across Ireland, Scotland and Wales, although one source suggests there seem to be striking similarities between the crimes. They have asked the public for help locating these individuals.

Sam also identified at least two people who helped him, including a tall, fair-haired man known as Daniel, and a wide-faced, big-toothed individual Sam calls Bladder. The latter appears to have risked a lot to help Sam. We are hoping these two will come forward and help with our investigations, D.I. Noah Kong says. Sam put himself at great personal risk going up against these criminals and, as heroic as his actions were, the Sussex Police would caution anyone against doing the same.

No information about Sams birth family or origins has been established, but the adoption process looks to be finalised this week. Our local hero will finally have a home.

Well, I know why you like this one best, Wheedle said. Risked a lot to help Sam.

Sam stroked Bladders mane. You did, Bladder, and you deserve notice. You all do. If it wasnt for you I wouldnt have survived. Sam kissed each of the gargoyles in turn. Bladder last. You deserve more than one line.

Its just nice to know you mentioned me, although I dont know why you described me as wide-faced and big-toothed.

I said you looked like a lion. I also mentioned Wheedle and Spigot too. They thought you and Wheedle must be brothers, because hes wide-faced and big-toothed too.

Wheedle bared his teeth. Yeah, but mine are cows teeth. Not sharp or nothing.

Sam continued. And they kept asking me how big Spigots nose was, and I said it wasnt a nose, it was a beak. They found that funny. Maybe Wheedle and Spigot will make it into the next article.

Bladders voice dropped as if he thought someone might be listening. What I cant believe is they think Thunderguts is part of a crime ring. Good thing for them hes dead, or hed turn up to show them what the king of ogres looks like.