Starting again with this one!
The worst fate Lavi could imagine was growing old in a small town, never once having tasted a bite of freedom. To live a life devoid of spontaneity, of happy mistakes and aimless adventure would be a life wasted. What fun was there to be had if you could not even be the protagonist in your own story?
These were the thoughts that had played themselves over and over in his mind, ever since he had arrived in Innocence eight years previously, cast aside by bitter parents too busy fighting each other to bother fighting for him.
The town of Innocence was by no means an under populated town, but it was the type of place where it was impossible to not recognise three out of five people in a crowd. That combined with the town's traditionalist ethos were the reasons that Innocence fell into that iniquitous category of 'small town'.
What a place to live and die?
A patch of woods marked the outer edge of the town, and it was in these woods that Lavi was steadily climbing to the highest, sturdiest branch of his favourite tree. From here he had a perfect view of the town he was so desperate to leave. At the centre of the town was an imposing gothic monolith that was easily the largest building in the area. It belonged to the rather grimly named Church of the Dark Order.
Radiating outwards from that focal point the town of Innocence bloomed. Official buildings such as the Town Hall, solicitors' offices and post office stood closest the church. Market stands, shops and homes arranged themselves into neat grids around the town centre and then into more haphazard circles and other forms in the periphery.
The lands' on the outskirts of town were occupied by the large stately homes of minor aristocrats and the better half of society; the well-dressed patrons who only bothered to come into the town for church services and events of particular social importance. A single emerald eye lingered just north of Innocence, towards the direction of the Noah Estate. The Noah family was a rather large extended family of apparently well-connected individuals. The patriarch of the Noah family was the eccentric self-proclaimed 'Earl Millennium'.
"Che..." Lavi scoffed bitterly as he turned his gaze away from the provincial Noah home. Recent events had left the red haired youth with less than warm feelings towards that family and their 'Earl'.
Settling himself against a comfortable piece of tree trunk, Lavi returned to his survey of the town. This time he focused on the diamond patch that formed the twelve room Innocence Motel complex. The 'L' shaped building opened onto a limited car park. Opposite that stood a small warehouse that served as the town garage and alongside that Lavi's own home.
At the tender age of 19, being the manager of a motel and the owner of the motel workshop is quite an achievement. Certainly this was worth something to boast about, but this was not enough for the youth.
From his perch Lavi could count three cars currently stationed in the car park, including the permanent resident in Room Seven that made a grand total of four guests. Four out of twelve rooms occupied.
While this was not unusual for this time of year it was still a depressing number. The third week of August always indicated the end of the summer busy period. Relaxed families, lively groups of friends and couples looking for an intimate break all packed up and left to return to their lives in the city. A brief stay in the quieter parts of the world was enough for them.
Jealousy was a frequent visitor behind his happy mask when guests would come to return their keys and receive the perfunctory, 'hope to see you next holiday!" Perhaps it was the dwindling number of new faces about town that caused his this restless feeling within his heart. Or maybe it was the hot summer weather that had promised adventure, excitement and new experiences that never came. All Lavi knew was that he was bored. Whatever the reason behind that may be, he was soul crushingly bored.
Lavi raised one tanned forearm to block the glare of the mid afternoon sun, as he tracked the progress of a black American style car along the mostly empty roads leading to Innocence. The youth found he wished he could follow that car back to its origins. A new story in Innocence was just what he needed right now. What was the car leaving behind and how had the driver ended up speeding down the roads just outside of Innocence?
The green eyed boy tore his eye away from the frantic movements of the car, as he contemplated his own steps that lead to him hiding in a tree. He pulled his bandana low to over his eyes and leaned back, arms folded behind his head.