Pretentious | Bookman Jr. Fan-Fiction |

[ c h a p t e r t w o ]

[ c h a p t e r t w o ]

beauty in beastie's garden

Never in his life would Lavi had expected to see what was in front of him. Of course, as a Bookman he would expect to see crazy, spectacular things but this - this was a sight to behold and even looking at it almost felt like a sin.

Suspended almost 50 metres in the sky was an island hidden by thick grey clouds as the dark silhouette of the tops of trees peaked over the clouds. Water cascaded from several mysterious sources and met with the lake below on earth as the giant roots of ancient trees hung and curled around the waterfalls as the elder trees themselves hung from the edge of island and reached out to the sky with its robust branches and green leaves. Built out from the shore of the lake was a rickety dock made of old planks and logs that seemed to meander. Remnants of old structures and sculptures remained and shaped a path way to the dock.

Tied to the dock by a rope, was a boat.

It was as if it had been waiting for him. So Lavi took the chance. One foot in front of the other. The planks creaked under his weight but he pushed forward. Another cautious step led to a bolder step. The dock began to sway slightly sending his heart leaping into his mouth but he had to get on the boat. For a moment, it was silent. The slow lapping of the lake and the distant thunderous noise of the waterfalls calmed his mind. So he took another step and another and finally, he jumped to safety, rope in hand.

The boat glided forward, sending ripples into the crystal clear water. Beneath the surface, he could see small fish swimming as fast as the boats pace and moving in unison together like the flock of birds that glided in formation - it reminded Lavi of a group of ballerinas or something he had seen in a theatre once. The boat began to pass the small mounds of land like mini islands covered in moss and tiny flowers with frail stems and shining white petals as well as thin cherry blossoms that were in bloom despite the season. Soon the distant waterfalls were now close and cold clouds of water vapor filled the air and passed him as he sailed further and further underneath the island. From here he could look up and see the ancient looking wells made of white stones polished into the shape of bricks all held together by roots that had grown around the stone and hung loosely towards the earth.

Lavi hadn't even set a foot on the island and he already felt like he was trespassing.

Finally, the boat settled at another dock - similar to the last one, it was old and rickety and seemed to meander upwards a little bit but this time it led into a tall tower that stretched till it disappeared into the island above. Inside, a winding stair well.

Eventually, he breached the surface tired and out of breath from the demonic stairs. You'd think an exorcist of his standard would be able to endure it but I guess no one is immune to the hellish concept that is stairs. Above him was the angry swirling of dark clouds, telling of a storm as the wind swayed the giant mossy trees. Leaves rustled and sticks crunched as he tried to find the epicentre of it all. The beauty of this place made him almost forget what he was here for - it was like labyrinth.

Suddenly, lightning struck the island sending the earth shaking and thunder grumbled in the sky. Lavi could hear the shattering of glass in the distance and immediately began running towards it.

Lavi stood awkwardly at the shore of papers that littered the ground of the chiefs office, waiting for the borderline maniac to stop talking on the phone though there was no one else on the line. It wasn't till Komui looked at the person in front f him did he realise that it wasn't Reever-san coming to nag him about work.

"Lavi! Come, come, very sorry I thought you were... someone else" The chief chuckled sheepishly at the end of his sentence and Lavi, already familiar with Komui's antiques sweat dropped. Lavi rubbed his forehead and sighed waiting for the chief to elaborate on his summoning.

"Ah yes, Lavi - errr," the man paused looking around him frantically. "There has been a report of an extraordinary finding in the west of Ireland- aha!" Komui let out a shout as he found the folder he had been looking for and handed it to Lavi. This time though, Komui's goofy antiques dropped and seriousness took over. "A few days ago, we sent a team of finders out to the woods of Ireland. There have been complaints about a forest that is growing bigger by the day,

Many citizens have had to leave their homes already because of the forests rapid growing. I can't help but assume that this is at the hands of innocence - an extremely powerful innocence." As Komui spoke a dark gloomy aura began to surround him. Lavi shrunk back slightly at the sight, gulping. "And the team I sent out haven't made any contact since their note of arrival"

Suddenly the aura disappeared- "So I'm leaving it to you Lavi-san! I know you'll do great - oh and try to get it done quick please!"

I swear that man has problems, Lavi thought as an irk mark appeared on his forehead.

Lavi had arrived to a cottage. It seemed glum and dark as he looked around noticing the earth around him had turned gray and lifeless. Beside the cottage was a glasshouse and Lavi could see the shattered roof and the fire. Something was very, very wrong. He wandered around the glass house, trying to peak in but there was no luck. Eventually, he found a way in through the cottage and entered the glass house but what he saw in front of him was tragedy. 

In that moment, Lavi wasn't sure if he should have been doing his job as an exorcist or fulfill his duties as a Bookman.

{ a u t h o r s n o t e }

sat, 28th march