“Over everything—up through the wreckage of the city, in gutters, along the riverbanks, tangled among tiles and tin roofing, climbing on charred tree trunks—was a blanket of fresh, vivid, lush, optimistic green; the verdancy rose even from the foundations of ruined houses. Weeds already hid the ashes, and wild flowers were in bloom among the city’s bones. The bomb had not only left the underground organs of the plants intact; it had stimulated them.” - John Hersey
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Leaning back against an old leather chair with his arms stretched out above his head, an indescribable sense of comfort filled a certain young man’s heart.
Glancing across the empty hotel lobby that he partially owned, Leviticus had only one thought running through his half-muddled mind.
It’s nice to be home….
There was the way that the old antique radio crackled as it sat in the corner. There was the way that warm gentle mountain breeze flowed through arched windows, caressing embroidered curtains and providing warmth and safety. There was the way those ancient floorboards creaked out greetings to new guests and old staff alike. Leviticus could even appreciate the way that strong morning sunlight just streamed through the windows and reflected off of pearl white walls.
Though not as permanent a fixture as everything else, Leviticus had to admit that, above all else, it was the permanent scent of coffee grounds that truly anchored him to his ergonomic leather chair.
Taking a sip out of a tall mug of coffee made by his favorite chef, Leviticus closed his eyes and decidedly sunk even deeper into finely crafted bliss.
I can get about thirty more minutes of sleep….. Most guests start walking down here at seven anyway….. It’s only like what…. Five thirty ???
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The Hotel La-Flave was a quaint yet sprawling hotel located just between the second most important city on Earth and the third most dangerous mountain range known to man. Its location was a deliberately chosen place that somehow balanced accessibility and convenience with adventure and mystery.
There was something to do at the hotel for all kinds of guests.
The adventurous types could explore the aforementioned mountains.
Those inclined to more social pursuits could participate in the many leisure activities and clubs that were all scattered around the premises.
And for those who were a little bit too curious? Well, they could take their time exploring the mysteries of the hotel itself. It was a few hundred years old after all…..
Of course, this was all ran by the very family that founded it in the first place. The La-Flave’s. A happy line of generally happy people who were all descendants of the original founder of the hotel, Mr Trevor La-Flave. A lottery winner who invested all of his money into stocks and the hotel that his descendants now ran.
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Even if the property wasn't exactly modern as it had been built in Mr. Trevor’s time, it was the epitome of luxury. Both the tycoon and his descendants made sure of that. Built through both the initial large investment and many additions over time the interior of the hotel had truly transformed into a palace worthy of kings.
The hotel’s floors were lined with expensive imported and embroidered red carpet. Its ceilings were filled with mosaics, chandeliers, and silk banners. Its walls were covered in gilded gold accents. Its rooms sported beds that could fit five people comfortably.
If you were looking to live like a medieval king for a day, the La-Flavs had you covered.
Interestingly enough, much of the hotel’s finery was purchased over time at a discounted rate due to rising political tensions and the threat of a fourth world war. With most people hoarding up food, weapons, and more practical supplies the La-Flave family was allowed to purchase much of the hotel’s amenities and attractions at a discounted price.
Filled with gilded wallpapers, chandeliers, and sprawling courtyards, alongside its many other amenities the hotel offered an escape from reality to whoever graced its halls. Especially with global political tensions so high, the hotel provided a welcome reprieve for those placed under enormous pressure.
Though as a partial owner to the business, Leviticus was privy to what really made the hotel so successful. It wasn't the location as many speculated, nor was it the decorated hallways or even the sinfully decadent lounges. There was actually something a little more special working hard to make sure everyone who entered the hotel found themselves in a world away from trouble.
The thing that made the Hotel La-Flave truly stand out was its staff. Staffed mostly by members of the La-Flave family and friends there was a definite homely touch to the hotel.
From the way the garden was taken care of by a young girl who was only thirteen, to the way the kitchen was run by one of the family’s closest friends, everyone working at the property was deeply invested in it and treated it like a second home.
Heck, many of the people who worked full time at the hotel even had a personal room to themselves.
The Hotel La-Flave was a family operation, and that was something that everyone involved planned to keep a fact.
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Leviticus felt rumbling. It was a deep rolling thunder-like sound mixed in with a high-pitched shrill.
Urhhh……. There wasn't any construction scheduled today was there ???
Groggily rolling over in his sleep Leviticus was slowly dragged into the world of the living as the noise and vibrations intensified. Silently cursing the construction crew that he imagined was the cause of the noise, Leviticus decided it was about time to rejoin reality.
Groaning as he opened his eyes Leviticus was quickly faced by over one hundred pounds of sharp crystal and electrical wiring hurtling towards his face.
Shooting out of his seat just in time to avoid getting decapitated by a falling chandelier Leviticus quickly found himself covered in hundreds of glass shards.
Although he was now sporting several new piercings and shimmering add ons Leviticus’s attention was drawn elsewhere. The state of his body could be addressed later.
That high pitch alarm engrained into most children since birth along with the drones of airplanes could only mean one thing.
Putting two and two together Leviticus ran out towards the hotel lobby entrance and cried out as he was forced to fall to his knees by a rouge vibration.
Ignoring the pain of his kneecaps shattering upon impact Leviticus raised his head to see the most beautiful calamity imaginable befall the world around him.Deep waves of crimson caressed the sky as orange flames challenged the heavens.
Screaming out in a mixture of fear, sadness, desperation, and unwillingness Leviticus raised his arms to embrace the roaring radioactive heat that instantly ended his life.
In the end, Leviticus along with the entirety of his family and staff of the hotel La-Flave were immediately vaporized in point 000003 seconds by the might of an atom bomb.
There was screaming of course but in the end, no noise could eclipse the might of the inferno.
Not a single man, beast, or plant survived the might of the bomb. Not even mother nature herself could survive the blast. Only the deepest roots of her hardiest flowers remained after only a moment.
Destroyed in a single act of aggression, only a smoldering crater was all that remained of the most vibrant areas on Earth.