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Galactic Fighters

Fantasy

By Kristie OssenfortPublished 3 years ago 11 min read
1

Chapter 1- Returning home.

Uncle Charlies.

Home. Liona thought, as she pulled up the long cobble stoned drive that led to the ten acres and the large Victorian Mansion; in the middle of no-where Crystal Blue Bay. The house had been left to her by her Aunt, who had died in a car accident when she was eleven years old, leaving it to her upon her turning eighteen. She had been away from the house for seventeen years, after her Aunt had passed away, Liona had spent two years in the foster system, until an old friend of her Aunts had finally been able to adopt her. Now with his death she had to return home for more than just a holiday visit.

Liona had never met her parents were, they had left her on the doorstep of her Aunt. As far as Liona knew, her parents were Scientists and traveled a lot. After Liona was left in the care of her Aunt they had disappeared never to be heard from again. All Liona knew was what her Aunt told her, which was not much. Her Aunt had not had contact with her parents in many years. When they left Liona, she did not hesitate to take care of her.

Liona pulled her car around the Giant fountain in front of the house. Someone had been keeping the grounds of the house up. The lawn was lush and green and the bushes full of life and so many colors. Her Aunt loved to keep a very exotic yard, Liona loved to spend time in it reading books under the willow tree to the east of the house, that was until the day she had found out her Aunt had died in a car accident. After the state took her, she had never returned to the house. Not wanting to linger to long, Liona left the car running as she walked up and unlocked the door, the movers would be there soon with all her belongings; she had instructed them to put everything in the west hall until she could get a look around. She was not ready to walk into the house just yet, and she had an appointment with a lawyer.

Once back in the car she looked in the mirror. Sadness ran across her face, she never thought she would have missed being home, it was not until returning that she realized she had deeply missed being home. Taking a sip of her coffee, and pulling her teal bluish green hair into a banana clip, she put the car in drive and began to head back down the cobble stoned driveway back towards the city, she still had one more stop before she could go back and get acquainted with the memories she had long ago left behind.

Liona pulled up to what looked like a giant mall, except it was not a mall at all. It was called Uncle Charlie’s Place. It was a giant round building, inside all kinds of activities to keep kids and teenagers out of trouble. There was an arcade for the gamer’s, filled with the latest consoles, as well as all the older ones; like Nintendo, and the old stand up arcade games from the 1980’s. There was a study area with a library and computers. They had a place for Karate and boxing, a gym, a place for gymnastics, yoga, among other things for anyone who wished to do activities. In the center of it all was the Court, its where you could get a bite to eat or even a smoothie, a path that led straight out to the park on the North side of the building. Uncle Charlie, had created the place so that kids would have a safe and fun place to go and have fun, and he was always expanding, as the property itself was about thirty acres, Uncle Charlie was part owner of the park as well. He always wanted a place for people to feel welcome to relax or workout. No gangs, no drugs, no bullies. Just a safe place for those who needed it. It never closed, even on holidays it was open.

Liona parked where Uncle Charlie use to park, “I guess this is mine now.” she said with a heavy sadness. She missed Charlie already. She had spent two years in foster care before the state would let Charlie adopt her. Liona had spent most of her life in this place, she even used to work there before she left for college, where she majored in Psychology and Business. She had planned on coming back after she graduated, but she could never find the right time to come back except, for holidays.

Shutting the door on her bright aqua colored Mini Cooper Convertible, she squared her shoulders and headed in, filled with mixed feelings about being back.

When she walked in, she could smell the Rueben’s from the Court, she heard laughter, and the sounds of the Karate class going on ahead. She remembered her Aunt making her take those classes, “A young lady should always know how to defend herself; or others unable to defend themselves.” her aunt use to say. So Liona had learned, and even continued it even now, she had even taken up a little light boxing back in Georgia. Before the past and nostalgia could come rushing in Liona continued down to the Court where the office was located, that way Charlie could always see everything, and be available for anyone who may have needed him.

The Court had a full-sized restaurant, Charlie wanted to be able to cook all kinds of food, and even let the kids cook. It also had a full-size drink bar, smoothies, milkshake’s, soda, water, teas, coffee if it were non-alcoholic Charlie would learn to make it. The office was to the left of the restaurant, the office had a huge glass window, Charlies giant oak desk could be seen, it was clean and organized as was his whole office. Someone had been helping to keep things going until she could get there.

Sitting in the antique chair was an older man in a deep blue suit and tie. His hair gray, and the wrinkles on his face showed he lived a profoundly serious kind of life. Liona guessed this must have been Charlie and her Aunts Attorney. She had never met him, when her Aunt died everything went into a legal bind until she was eighteen. Even then, she had never met him, Charlie had handled all of that for her until she was ready. Liona had wanted out of there as soon as she was able. She always had this fear back then that death followed her.

She did not want anything to happen to Charlie so when she got excepted to the University of Georgia, she took it and never looked back. Then five years ago Charlie was diagnosed with cancer. Liona began studying business, she had promised Charlie she would take care of the place when he was gone. He made her promise to finish school and not come back until she was ready, that he would leave it in good hands until then. six months ago, he passed away, two months from her graduation. A Doctorate’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Business, Charlie paid for every cent of her college. She could not even take the time to grieve with her finals and certification tests coming. She never got to say goodbye. Liona took a deep breath trying not to cry.

Ready or not she was here, and she had to keep her promise. Liona walked in, the old man stood up and straightened his suit and tie. He put his hand out, “Miss Star, it is an honor to meet you, I do give you my sincere condolences on the reason for this meeting. My name is Jackson Miller, I was your Aunt and Uncles Lawyer, and now yours.”

Liona took his hand careful not to squeeze as she was afraid, he would break. She could she the sadness in his face, she could tell this was not his favorite part of the job. She dropped the blinds down over the window and closed the door so no one would bother them.

“Thank you, Mr. Miller, please have a seat,” she walked around to the other side of the desk. She stared at the giant leather chair for a second, she could see Charlie sitting there watching everyone through the window. Taking a deep breath, she sat down.

The next two hours were the longest hours of her life, signing paper after paper, taking over the ownership of everything her Aunt and Charlie had ever owned. After Jackson left Liona dropped her head in her hands trying to hold back every feeling that flooded to the surface. Then there was a knock at the door, Liona took a deep breath and composed herself “Come in,” she said grabbing the stack of papers tapping them on the table to get them situated.

When the door began to open, she looked up to see a man about five-foot three, black ear length shaggy hair pulled back into a white and black bandana. He wore a black tank top that said “BEAST” in big white letters across his chest. He was very toned and built, his tanned skin still showed signs of a recent workout. He had what looked to be a coffee in one hand and a smoothie in another. “Welcome home Li,” he said with a godlike smile, his voice was warm and welcoming. “I brought you your favorite, Caramel Macchiato with three extra espresso shots.”

Liona smiled “this is awkward” she thought and stood up, walking around the desk to greet him. “Thank you, Logan, I am surprised you remembered.” she said with a chuckle and took the coffee.

Logan Davis, half Porter Rican, and four years older than Liona. He and his little crew were always at Uncle Charlies, they were also her saving grace when her Aunt had died, she was only eleven. At that age she had felt very abandoned, her parents disappeared, and her aunt had just passed. They had helped to keep her busy and occupied. Logan had seen her cry, and angry so many times over the years she had lived in Crystal Blue Bay. Although she never really stayed in touch with any of them when she left. Outside of Charlie, Liona had tried to forget Crystal Blue Bay and everyone in it.

She took a sip of her coffee, “Still here after all these years I see.” Liona said trying to not feel so awkward.

“Yes, Ma’am, took over the Karate and Boxing here, and helped Charlie out when things got tough. I’ve been holding down the fort until you got back.”

Liona leaned against the desk, “Thank you for that, I apologize for not coming back sooner.”

“No worries, Charlie told me about your degree’s came first and foremost, and that you would come home when you were ready.”

Liona looked away, she honestly was not ready, but she promised Charlie she would come back and take care of things. She had to come back, she still had a lot to deal with and coming home was the only way to get past the empty hole she had deep down.

“It’s okay Li, I get it. I know it is hard coming back after all these years. Take your time, I can keep holding down the fort if you need me to.”

“Thanks, I may partially take you up on that. I do not know if I am ready to dive right in. I still have to get the house situated; I have not been in it since my aunt passed.”

“Of course, by the way, Charlie had me working on something for you here, so whenever you’re ready I’d love to show it to you.” He gave her a cheeky smile.

Liona raised an eyebrow, then smiled. “Of course, how about next week, the movers should be at the house dropping off all my things, and it will give me some time to get the house in order.”

“Of course, take all the time you need.”

Liona nodded.

“Thanks for the coffee Logan, I had better get to the house. I will see you next week.”

“My pleasure, if you need anything here’s my number.” He handed her a business card. Liona glanced at it,

Karate and Boxing

@ Uncle Charlies

His name and number were on the back.

“Thank you, Take care.”

Logan nodded and smiled and left. Liona gathered the papers and her purse and headed home.

fantasy
1

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