The sun was hidden from behind a bulbous cloud, yet the air was warm, with the fragrance of freshly cut lawn expiring all around. The garden cemetery was well kept and not far from their property in Basingstoke. London had long run out of vacant plots, and was too noisy for Puck’s liking, regardless. The countryside was more faithful to her memory, he had decided.
Invitations had been emailed to everyone Marley had known. There were many faces Puck did not recognize - co-workers in the perfume industry and others who were involved with the charities that Marley had loved the best.
Her brothers and sisters, along with the menacing uncle, had arrived early, taking the front row. They all stood to inherit handsomely.
Puck wore a dove grey suit and had cropped his hair short for that morning. He had dressed Charlene in her favorite clothes: blue jeans, pink top and sparkly trainers. He held her protectively as they stood staring into the hole dug for the coffin to descend into. There had been rain overnight and a puddle of water had collected in the bottom.
Marley was still nowhere to be seen. This was in itself quite peculiar, as the spirits of the deceased almost always come to watch on at their own funeral parties. Her absence was tearing at Puck's heart - he could not understand how once again she might deny him. He had no knowledge of how Marley was doing, and had lost any sense of where she might be. These puzzles were becoming very difficult for him to comprehend.
He gave Charley over to Goober, deciding that a short walk before the ceremony was better for reflection - he wanted to feel close to her, and needed some moments alone.
-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series
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