No Church in The Wild (Working Title)

Chapter 1: The Leston Inn

It was around about 4AM when Officer Howard noticed the car parked on the side of the road that lead into his town. He drove up behind the car and ran the license plates. Once he saw the car hadn't been reported stolen he stepped out of his cruiser and walked up to the side of the car. He flicked on his flashlight and shined it into the back seat which was empty except for a discarded jacket. He leaned forward and glanced in at the driver. Shinning the light in the driver's face he sighed. It was a teenager taking a nap. Officer Howard knew every teen from his town, so he knew this boy wasn't from around there. He sighed. 

A tapping on my car window caused me to jolt forward. When I noticed the officer at the window I turned the car on and rolled it down. 

"Yes officer?" 

"What are you doing out here, son?" 

"Uhm... Well, sleeping sir." 

"Obviously, I mean on the edge of my jurisdiction--my city's line." 

"Oh, I..." 

The officer shook his head and leaned closer to me. "You a runaway?" 

"No sir... Well yes but," I cut myself off because I could tell by the officer's expression that he didn't really appricate liars. 

"How old are you?" 

"I'm seventeen, sir." 

"What's your name?"

"Warren... Warren Pierce, Sir."

"Look kid, I'm not going to tell you that running from your problem is a good idea, but it's the summer time so as long as I don't see you running around here when you should be in school this fall, I won't report you." 

Stepping back he gestured for me to get out of the car. I opened the car door and stepped out. 

"Now, if you go down this road and take that first left you'll go straight into town. There's an Inn about four blocks in, you can't miss it, you go there and tell them Officer Howard sent you. They'll let you stay as long as you like for free, in exchange for giving them a hand every once and a while." 

The entire time he spoke he looked me directly in my eyes, finally he chuckled and patted my back. 

"Now go on, hurry in to town cause there are wolves in these parts and they're mighty vicious." 

 I started my car and drove off into the town. I was so tired, that I almost drove right past the inn. I parked outside and grabbed my jacket from the backseat. As I walked up to the small building I rubbed my neck, it was stiff. I groaned. When I walked in the smell of cinnamon was almost overpowering. I walked up to the front desk and pressed down on the bell. 

"Oh dear, who could that be?" A graying old woman said as she came from the back a few minutes later. She was putting on her glasses when she looked up at me with surprise. 

"Why hello young man. What can I help you with today?" 

"Officer Howard sent me, he said that you'd let me stay here for free as long as I agreed to help out." 

The woman laughed and turned to grabbed a key.

 "Well, that's southern hospitality for you, Officer Howard is my son and he's always helping people out by sending them here." 

As she handed me the key she leaned in and whispered, "it's only because he thinks I'm getting too old to run this place by myself." 

She leaned back and let out a loud chuckle. I smiled. She reminded me of my grandmother in a way, no physically, but her pressence was what really did it. 

"Because me? I feel as strong as an ox and as fast as a cheetah. I don't need no help, but I sure am grateful when it comes around. Now you can have room 14, it's just right down this hall actually and I'll call on you with the phone in there if I need anything. Enjoy your stay here now. Warren." 

I started down the hall to my room when I realized I had never told her my name. I glanced back at her, she was already ambling back into the backroom. I shook my head and guessed that maybe Officer Howard had called ahead and told her. Of course he had. With that thought I entered my room and passed out on the bed.