Arazona Chapter Six

Here's Chapter Six of Arazona x

Chapter 6

Luke returned a few hours later, he was told by the doorman that his father wanted to see him in his office straight away,

"Incineration" President Homestead said to  his son as he sat down, General Alcatech and Crystal stood near the President's desk "is one thing that is not permitted outside of work, you of all people should know that" he went on

"If you would just let me explain" Luke started but his father cut him off

"I've heard the story from Crystal and I'm still furious"

"Even in a life or death situation you are not permitted to use incineration unless on the job, I'm sorry Luke but action must be taken" General Alcatech told him

"What my punishment then"

"You have to wear The Cuff for one week" Alcatech told him, he removed a black leather like cuff from his pocket and placed it on Luke wrist, it automatically gripped itself,

"You know what this means don't you son" President Homestead asked his son

"Yes, it means I can't use my power for as long as I wear it, it stops any gifted from using their powers" Luke replied to his father

"It will be removed this time next Sunday" Alcatech said before leaving the room

"Here take this" President Homestead handed Luke a laser gun "you will need to protect yourself with something whilst unable to use your powers"

"Thank you father. It won't happen again I promise" Luke gave his father a little bow in return his father bowed his head. Luke left the room, Crystal followed,

"I wasn't expecting him to give you The Cuff" Crystal told him as they walked up the stairs "anyway I don't get why there is a ban on incineration outside of work"

"Remember the story of Marcus Abnum" Luke said

"Yes"

"Well it's true"

"What, you mean the Blacknorth Estate was actually real and incinerated" Crystal looked shocked

"Yes, it happened 25 years ago, the year I was born. Since then incineration has had to be done under supervision from General Alcatech and I'm no exception" Luke looked at his sister as she took in the story she thought was a dark fairytale,

"What happened to Marcus" she asked

"Currently lock in one of the high security cells wearing one of these" Luke held up his cuff "I need you to do me a favour" Luke asked changing the subject,

"Sure what"

"I need you to get me an electric force shield for Friday, I can't cancel on Antonia and with this cuff I can't protect myself if she lose control" he asked

"Ok, but I'm going to have to come with you, I can't sigh it out and then be seen around the house without it" Crystal told her brother

"Ok then get two just in case, I'll give Antonia a message so she knows you will be there this Friday. See you later" Luke walked through the next door and into his room.

Back in the city Antonia and Maybelle sat in Antonia's kitchen making dinner,

"You got attacked by a Voxhall, are you ok" Maybelle asked after Antonia had told her what had happened that afternoon,

"I'm fine, Luke saved the day. It was so amazing seeing him in action" Antonia into the nearest chair,

"You are so smitten with him" Maybelle expressed

"I am not" Antonia replied

"Yes you are, I haven't seen you like this since your crush on Tony Nicks in eighth year at school"

"Ok yes, yes I am smitten, he's just so and he almost kissed me today" Antonia told Maybelle who stopped what she was doing

"No way, what happened, why didn't you kiss" she sat next to her friend

"That stupid Voxhall attacked didn't it"

"How did Luke defeat the Voxhall anyway, I heard  they're quite difficult to kill"

"It started to get the better of Luke, I panicked and accidentally turned it to ice" Antonia told her

"You what, what happened next"

"Well Luke was going to defrost it but his sister shot an arrow through it"

"Crystal turned up, did she see you and I thought she was a gun person" Maybelle asked a lot of questions

"Yes she saw me and before you start she already knows, she saw me the day I met Luke and I have no idea why she had a bow and arrow instead of a gun" they sat there in silence for a few minutes,

"Luke took the blame for the Voxhall's disappearance, I have no idea how much trouble he's in" Antonia finally said

"Really, wow he's such a nice guy, you're a lucky lady" Maybelle said, Antonia looked at her and smiled.

Friday arrived, Antonia headed straight to the warehouse after work, she didn't even stop to look for Fifi like she usually does. When she got there Luke and Crystal told her about Luke's punishment,

"So you've have to wear this cuff thing all week because of me" Antonia said after they had finished explaining about The Cuff

"Yes I have to wear it but it's not your fault, I'm fine with taking the blame, as long as you don't get exposed" Luke put his hand on her cheek and smiled at her "don't feel bad it's not your fault"

"Ok, do you think they will put one of those cuff things on me if they found out about my power" she asked

"I don't know, I hope not" They looked at each other "so let's get started, so remember what I said last week, keep calm if you start to panic then you're going to lose control, me and Crystal have these shield's I told you about in my message to protect ourselves, so when you're ready" Luke turned on his shield and so did Crystal who stood near the wall to observe. Antonia stood in the middle of the warehouse and began to create lightning balls. Her eyes as she had found out formed lightning bolts across them whenever she used her lightning. She then created actual lightning bolts that hit the floor around her. Luke pointed at his shield and Antonia through lighting at him from her hands that hit the shield,

"Wow these work amazingly" Luke said looking at his shield that had no damage whatsoever. He walked over to Antonia and looked at the scorch marks on the floor, some were lighter than others,

"Wow as well as getting your lighting under control really, really soon, you also have the voltage controlled as well"

"Well you're a great teacher, also I've always found the lighting part of my powers the easiest" they flirted with each other,

"Ok let's move onto storms shall we" Luke walked back to where he had been stood before and Antonia brewed up a storm,

"Great, now I'm going to get wet" Crystal said as the thunder started. Rain started to pour in the warehouse, it started off light and got heavier and heavier. When she stopped they were all up to their ankles in water,

"Ok, so how are we going to get rid of this water" Luke asked remembering he couldn't use his power,

"I could freeze it and try melting it that way, but I'm not sure if I could with so much water" Antonia replied, she looked at Luke

"You're right, the surface area is too big, you could lose control" Luke agreed. There was a beeping sound and the water disappeared. They looked at each other then at Crystal,

"I bought a couple of extra things just in case including a flood disapparator" she told them, Luke and Antonia both smiled at her.

     Luke and Crystal arrived home after dropping Antonia off at Jewel Bar,

"You should have joined her you know, you would have got to see a whole new side to Antonia" Crystal told Luke who had turned down Antonia's invite to join Maybelle and herself  for a drink,

"I know, but the amount of trouble I'm in and the possibility of Fifi hanging around, which she probably wouldn't she probably thinks Jewel Bar is beneath her, it wasn't a good idea tonight, I told her another time though and anyway you turned her down too"

"Yes but I have to have this equipment signed back in by ten o'clock and if I went for a drink I'd lose track of time and get in trouble myself"

"Yeah I think there's been enough trouble around here for a while" Luke laugh

"Where have you two been" Seraphina asked coming down the stairs. Luke and Crystal started at their mother

"Trying out normal weapons and gadgets, thought I'd better give them ago and learn how to use them seeing as I can't use my Power this week" Luke told her

"Ok, well off you go, better get the equipment logged back in" she told her children who whet off towards the house armoury, Seraphina watched them, suspicious about what Luke had been up to,

"I know he's up to something and I will find out" she said to herself

"Everything alright my love" President Homestead said as he stood in the doorway to the living room

"Yes darling everything's fine" she lied

"Come, that Earthling show Silent Witness is about to start" President Homestead held out his hand which is wife took.

Lintwood Farm Chapter Sixteen

Here's Chapter Sixteen x

Chapter 16-September 1942

The rain poured down on a Sunday afternoon, Ellie had a newspaper on her knee and a letter in her hand, she looked at them both (the newspaper headline about more deaths on the front line) and placed her hand on her tummy, looking out of the rain soaked window she could see the blurred figures of Martin and Louis sorting out the barn, Ian was moving the sheep out of the fields,

"Like I said you can't move the wardrobe on your own Chrissie"

"But Jenny we're moving my room around" Jennifer and Chrissie came into the dining room where Ellie sat,

"What's going on" she asked

"Lindsey and Chrissie want to move everything around in their room" Jennifer sat at the table

"Can we Ellie please, it's boring the way it is" Chrissie batted her eyelids at Ellie

"Sure, but wait until Martin and Ian are available to help Ok"

"Ok thanks Ellie, Lindsey, Ellie said yes" Chrissie ran back upstairs, Ellie looked back out of the window

"Ellie, are you ok" Jennifer walked up to Ellie

"I'm fine Jenny, I'm fine" Ellie folded up the letter in front of her as Jennifer approached

"Are you sure, you've seemed a bit off this past month" Jennifer sat opposite Ellie

"Yes I'm sure, I'm fine, there is no need to worry about me" she patted Jennifer on the arm, got up and went in to the kitchen, Jennifer looked on staring out of the window at the rain.

      "Oh my it is pouring it down out there" Martin walked into the dining room "Hello beautiful" he kissed his wife

"Chrissie and Lindsey would like you to move everything around in their room, their getting bored"

"Sure, but I'm going to make a fire in the living room first"

"Ok sweetie" Ellie kissed her husband

"I'll come help you" Jennifer followed Martin into the living room

"Martin I need to talk to you"

"What is it Jenny" Martin looked up at her as he put wood into the fire place

"Well, I'm worried about Ellie, she's not been herself this past month"

"I know, everyone's worried but she's just been a bit ill lately, that's all"

"Martin it's more than that, she got a letter today and was a bit over protective about it, she wouldn't let me see it when I approached her in the dining room, there's more to it I know there is" Jennifer finished talking, Martin sighed

"I know, she went to the doctors the other week but didn't tell me how it went"

"Martin you need to talk to her, find out what's going on"

Martin looked at her and smiled "I know, I will tonight"

"I would like the beds in that corner next to the window and that corner next to the door and the wardrobe and chest drawers along that wall" Chrissie told Ian and Martin how she wanted her room laid out, she sat on her bed after it was moved watching what was going on

"To the right a little" she said as the wardrobe was been put into place

"Dinners ready" Ellie popped her head into the room

"Ok we'll be down on a minute" Martin said over his shoulder. They moved the wardrobe into place and went downstairs for dinner,

"Ellie this is so good" Ian said with his mouthful

"Thank you Ian, does everyone else like it"

"Yes it's very good" everyone said together. Meg sat under the table waiting for food to be dropped. After dinner Martin helped Ellie clean up,

"What do you want to do with the rest of this meat" he asked her "there's not much left"

"Give it to Meg, she's been hovering all through dinner" Ellie smiled at Meg who was sat in the doorway to the kitchen

"Ellie, can we talk?" Martin had just given Meg her dinner,

"Sure, what about?" Ellie asked

"Hey do you need any help in the kitchen, woe" Louis tripped over Meg as he went into the kitchen

"Oh my god, Louis are you ok" Ellie and Martin helped Louis up off the floor

"Yes, ow that hurt, why is Meg sat in the doorway again" Louis asked as he sat on a chair, Meg had crawled under the table again

"I'll get a cold towel" Martin went back into the kitchen

"Louis how many times have I told you to watch out for Meg, you know she likes to lie in doorways when there's food around" Ellie stroked Louis' head

"I know, I just forgot"

"Here" Martin handed Ellie a cold damp towel, Ellie put it on Louis' head

"Thanks Ellie, Thanks Martin"  Louis smiled at them

"You sit there for a few minutes, we'll finish the kitchen"  Ellie got up off her knees and went back into the kitchen. She finished cleaning up and took Louis into the living room and lied him down on the sofa

"What happened" Chrissie asked

"He tripped over Meg"

"Again"

"I haven't done it for a few years now" Louis said

"Ha ha broke your streak" Chrissie laughed

"Chrissie" Ellie looked at her.

"Louis is in bed sound asleep now" Ellie had put Louis to bed a few hours later "he will be fine" she got into bed next to Martin "Oh you also wanted to talk to me" she sat against the headboard and looked at him

"Yes I did, um, this past month you've seemed a bit off, a bit ill, I know you went to the doctors and you never told me how it went and that letter you got today you've been overly secretive about it, I need to know what's going on, I need to know you are ok"

"Martin I, I know, I don't want to keep anything from you but I couldn't say anything until I knew for sure"

"Know what, Ellie what is it" Ellie took Martins hand and placed it on her tummy

"I'm pregnant" she smiled at him

"Wha-what, no way, oh my god, how, how far along are you"

"Four months"

"Oh Ellie, that's amazing" Martin kissed her "this is wonderful news, I can't believe it" he kissed her again and gave her hug "So when do you want to tell everyone" Martin and Ellie lied in bed, Martin caressed the small bump that had started to form from Ellie's tummy with his hand

"I was thinking tomorrow, then I'll write a letter to my Mum" she snuggled up to Martin who gave her a kiss.

     The next morning Martin served up breakfast just as everyone came down ready for the day

"Morning you lot"

"Morning Martin" They all sat down to eat, Ellie and Martin looked at each other and smiled,

"We have an announcement" Martin said, everyone looked at him "Ellie and I are going to have a baby"

"Really" Jennifer asked

"Yes we are, I'm four months already" Ellie replied

"Is that what the letter was about yesterday"

"Yes Jenny I had a few tests done and the baby is happy and healthy"

"Wow congratulations, I can't believe it" Jennifer gave her sister-in-law and brother a hug

"This is excellent news, I'm so happy for you both" Ian hugged them,

"Dad you're going to be a granddad" Lindsey said

"I know, my first grandchild, this is so exciting" they hugged each other and congratulated Ellie and Martin who were very happy.

"I can't believe we are going to be aunties" Chrissie said as she and Lindsey tended to the garden

"I know, I hope it's a girl" Lindsey replied

"Me too then we can dress her up in cute little dresses"

"I know I can't wait"

They both dug up the soil to plant more vegetables. The weather was cold and the rain started to fall

"Oh, why does it always have to rain" Chrissie and Lindsey put all the gardening tools in the greenhouse and ran inside,

"It's raining again" Chrissie said as they sat on the sofa next to Martin

"Why does it always have to rain" Lindsey sat next to Chrissie

"Well it is Autumn, we're meant to get colder, wetter weather" Martin put the book he was reading down "you can work in the garden tomorrow"

"What if it's raining again"

"Then you can grow things in the greenhouse it's what it's there for"

"Ok, what can we grow in there?"

"Well you can grow tomatoes, grapes, cucumbers, melons, oranges, peas spinach, strawberries, raspberries, peppers, coriander"

"How do you know all this" Lindsey asked

"Mum use to grow stuff in the greenhouse we had back home all the time"

"I don't remember that" Lindsey looked sad

"You were a bit too young at the time Linds"

"I know, I just wish I could have spent more time with her"

"We all do" Martin gave his sister a hug "right school uniform you two, Mrs. Latham will be here soon"

"Ok" Lindsey and Chrissie made their way upstairs

"I'm home" Jennifer shouted as she come through the door

"Hi Jenny, what's in the bag?" Martin asked

"Wool and knitting needles, Ellie's going to start knitting for when the baby arrives" Jennifer handed Martin the bag "I'm going to get changed" and she ran up the stairs. Martin took the bag into the living room. He looked in the bag and took out the wool and put it on the coffee table. As he looked at all the colours, the whites, blues, pinks, yellows, greens and purples it suddenly hit him,

"I'm going to be a father"

"Are you ok son" Ian stood in the doorway

"Yes I'm fine, I'm just..."

"Suddenly realising what's about to happen" Ian sat on the sofa next to his son

"It's just such a big thing to happen"

"Martin, I felt the same way when I found out I was going to be a father for the first time. It's natural to feel like this"

"It's just so overwhelming, we've only been here a few years yet so much has happened, I'm married and expecting a baby, you lost part of your arm, Jenny's got a job, Lindsey's, well Lindsey's just Lindsey complaining about the rain" Martin sat back

"I know it's a lot but we have no idea what's going to happen with this war, everything you've done since you've got here was the right thing to do, I've not seen you this happy before"

"I have no regrets, none at all, I love Ellie so much. I'm just scared I'm not going to be a good father"

"You will be a great father, it just takes time and practice and anyway all first time parents learn on the job" Ian patted his son's arm as there was a knock at the door

"I'll get it" Ian answered the door "Hello Mrs Latham, how are you"

"Very well Mr Dinsdale, how are you" Mrs Latham put her umbrella next to the coat stand

"I'm very well thank you, may I take your coat?"

"Thank you very much"

"Good afternoon Mrs Latham" Chrissie, Lindsey, Jennifer and Louis all stood on the stairs

"Good afternoon children, shall we go into the classroom" Mrs Latham led them into the classroom.  

Arizona Chapter Five

Here is Chapter Five of Arazona x

Chapter 5

The table in the Grand Dining Room had been set, the traditional tableware of gold cutlery, plates with gold detail had been placed at each seat. Luke sat up in his room dreading the night to come. He looked out of his window to see Fifi and her parents pull up in their Hovercraft. He took one look at her and sighed, he watched them enter the house. After a few minutes he turned and walked towards the door.

"Welcome Vice-Chancellor Epson" President Homestead greeted his guests "Mrs. Epson, Fifi welcome to our home"

"Where's Luke" Fifi demanded

"He will be down in a minute" Seraphina told her

"Well he should be here to greet me" she said rudely to Seraphina as if she was nobody. Luke hovered at the top of the stairs after hearing her cold shrill voice and contemplated turning back and hiding in his room,

"Tell Luke I want him down here now" Fifi said to Crystal, but before she could answer Fifi walked into the dining room and out of sight. Vice-Chancellor Epson and his wife followed as President Homestead gestured,

"Arnold if you agree to this marriage I will never forgive you. I will take both our children despite how old they are to my Bellgoer Estate House and you and that awful rude girl will never see us again" Seraphina told her husband "Crystal darling go and get your brother"

"It's ok I'm here" Luke appeared on the stairs. They all entered the dining room together,

"There you are, you should have been at the door to meet me, come there's a seat next to me" Fifi said to Luke

"Actually I sit at that end next to my father" Luke walked to the opposite end of the table and sat down next to his Father. Dinner was served immediately and all five courses where ate before anyone spoke again,

"That was a bit dry for my liking I prefer my meat more marinated" Fifi said "So when's this wedding happening" she asked rudely

"As soon as you want it Fifi" her Father told her

"Great then I want it in the next few weeks, Luke you can wear traditional wear, oh and I want the biggest room in the house and she can be security for the day, no way is she ruining my big day" Fifi pointed at Crystal "Also I need the best protection there is, I don't want anyone spoiling my day especially that poor cow Antonia Birch the little bitch"

"Don't you dare talk about Antonia like that" Luke snapped standing up

"I will talk about her anyway I want and so will you once we're married" Fifi told him

"Not in a million years"

"Yes you will she's a nobody, a filthy whore you means nothing to no one"

"No she's not, she kind and sweet and genuine and a better Arazonian than you will ever be" Luke fists raged with fire

"How dare you..." Fifi started

"That is enough" Seraphina shouted "Luke calm down" she told her son calmly. Luke sat back down, Seraphina turned to Fifi "and you, how dare you address me and my family the way you do, we are the President's family and at a much higher authority than you. This marriage will not be going ahead as I do not approve it and never will" Seraphina's face burnt red with rage

"I am of Nobility, you can't.."

"I don't care. Now get out of my house" Seraphina told Fifi. Fifi's face have turned to discuss

"Daddy do something" she said to her Father

"President Homestead we have an agreement" Vice-Chancellor Epson stood from his seat

"No we don't" President Homestead said

"What" Vice-Chancellor Epson looked shocked

"I said we do not have an agreement and we never will, I too do not agree with the match, how can I agree to let my only son marry a rude brat like her. He will find someone else. Now do as my wife had said. Get out of our house or I will have you removed" President Homestead sipped his wine as Fifi and her parents left.

"I can't believe Mum ripped into Fifi like that, I don't think I have ever seen her that angry before" Crystal and Luke were in the training room doing their combat training,

"I know I wasn't expecting her to blow like that" Luke through his sister over his shoulder, she jumped back up swung her leg around and knocked Luke to the ground

"Then Dad got involved and I'm so glad he sided with Mum over the whole Fifi situation. I'm so glad you don't have to marry that awful bitch who calls herself Nobility"

"I know, but Dad still wants me to marry someone Noble" they though a few punches and kicks at each other before Crystal put her brother in a headlock. Luke grabbed her, rolled her over and pinned her to the ground,

"Ok, you may have pinned me to the floor first but I'm still better than you" Crystal told him,

"Stop putting me in headlocks then, you know you always lose that way" he stood up and walked towards the door

"Where are you going" Crystal asked

"To see if Antonia's free for a chat"

"You like her don't you" Crystal asked him as she stood in the background

"Yes, a little" he admitted "and I'm not going to let some stupid law get in the way of it, even if I have to wait till I'm president to marry her" He left the room. Luke entered his bedroom, reached for his phone and called Antonia,

"Hi, Antonia it's Luke, I was just wondering if you were free for a chat today" he said as she answered the phone

"Sure, you want to chat now or meet up" Antonia asked hopefully

"Meeting up would be great" Luke told her and they agreed to meet under the tree by the stream where they first meet in an hour.

"How did last night go" Antonia asked as they both sat down by the tree

"Better than I expected, Fifi was as rude as ever and my mum put her in her place and told her the wedding wouldn't be going ahead so now I'm free to marry who I want, well as long as she is of Nobility, I'm still working on that part" Luke told Antonia

"I bet Fifi wasn't happy" Antonia replied

"No she was not, but that's not my problem. I didn't even have to use the pictures you gave me"

"That's good just means I can use them" Antonia said, Luke looked at her "Just kidding" she laughed. They spent the next couple of hours chatting and giggling away, getting to know each other better. Antonia even opened up to him about her father's death

"Those monsters tore him apart, like he was a rag doll, all the search team found of him was his arm" tears rolled down her face "I didn't even know him that well, I never spent much time with him, he worked so much to provide a nice life for us and then he was gone just like that, I don't even remember what he looked like"

"Don't you have any pictures of him at home" Luke had put his arm around Antonia and was holding her close

"No, Mum got rid of them, every time she looked at them she would break down in tears, so she through them out" she dried his eyes "sorry I don't mean to cry"

"It's ok, everyone cries every now and again" he brushed Antonia's hair out of her face with his fingers, he was about to kiss her when they heard a loud screeching noise,

"What was that" Antonia asked startled, Luke stood up and looked around, he looked to see there was nothing in sight. The screeching noise sounded again. Antonia got up and stood close to Luke

"Stay close to me" he told her. All of a sudden out of nowhere a creature launched itself at them knocking Antonia to the ground. It had a long neck, razor sharp teeth, a long tail as lethal as a wipe and held in its hand a double sided sword

"Voxhall" Luke shouted "Antonia stay back" Antonia got up and took a few steps back. Luke now held in his hands a shield and sword made out fire. He started to duel with the Voxhall. He used his shield to protect himself from the Voxhall's tail as it kept wiping it towards Luke, they engaged in a sword fight, every time the Voxhall's sword hit Luke's fire would burst out of it and into the air. It looked like Luke was getting the upper hand until the Voxhall knocked him to the ground, both sword and shield disappeared. The Voxhall moved in,

"No, Luke" Antonia ran towards them and reached her hand forwards before she knew what was happening the Voxhall turned to ice,

"Oh my god" she stood there in shock

"Antonia" Luke got up and grabbed hold of her "Antonia it's ok, it's ok" he held her close "I can fix it" he turned around to defrost the Voxhall when suddenly an arrow shot right through it and shattered it into a thousand pieces that started to melt,

"Well that's a new way of killing a Voxhall" a voice said

"Crystal" Luke turned to see his sister holding a bow and arrow

"Are you both ok" she asked

"Yes we are" Luke replied breathing heavily after his fight "How did you know" he asked

"I was in the control room at base and saw it approaching two people on radar, it wasn't until I got here that I realised it was you" she told him

"Thanks Crystal"

"No Problem"

"She saw me, Luke she saw me" Antonia went into a panic at the thought of someone else knowing about her power

"Antonia calm down, it's ok" Luke started to calm her down

" I already now" Crystal blurted out

"What" Antonia looked at her

"I already know"

"How" Antonia asked

"I saw you both that day during the visit, I saw you both under the tree over there" Crystal told a worried looking Antonia "your secrets safe with me"

"Thank you" Antonia said calmly

"I better get back, I need to report this to General Alcatech, though I do need to come up with a cover story for how it disappeared" Crystal told her brother

"Tell them I incinerated it" Luke said

"Luke I can't, you'll get into trouble, you know the rules, you're not allowed to incinerate outside of work, Crystal reminded him

"I know and I will suffer the consequences but I can't risk exposing Antonia, not when we don't know what happens to gifted women" Luke took Antonia's hand

"Ok, I'll tell them" Crystal turned to leave

"Mention it was matter of life or death" Antonia said

"I will, it might just get him off the hook" Crystal smiled.