The Lost Boy of Crystal City: A Crystal City Series

By M.R Hart

A crazy dream turns into the battle of his life for survival!

Alvin, a regular boy of 13, uncovers the mysteries of Crystal City. Taking Alvin on a wild adventure to discovering the dark truth. And ultimately, learning more about himself and his connection to this strange world! - A Crystal City full of beings and creatures he had never encounter

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Hart
• Release date: Jul 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781777828219

M.R Hart

Author Bio: M. R Hart, born and raised in Malton, Mississauga, ON. Canada M.R Hart began his literary journey writing a picture book for his friends and family to enjoy. Ultimately, he loved the process so much he then began developing the "Crystal City Series". Inspired as an educator, M.R Hart designed a series which will allow youth of all ages to use their imagination and think outside of the box with his literary work.

Book preview

1

The Dream

What a night said Alvin, the gentle breeze blowing through the late evening window gracing his forehead just enough to cool him down. He was all packed and ready to go to camp the next day. 

Struck with exhaustion, the young boy falls backwards onto his bed staring up at the ceiling above him. Thinking, wondering; drifting; Alvin begins to imagine what his summer is going to look like at camp. Will he be able to make friends? What adventures await him? What if there’s nothing to do and no one to speak to? 

Alvin grunts slightly. "I guess there’s really only one way to find out". He thinks to himself, assuring himself that everything is going to be just right. 

As the evening hours pass, and after countless shifts in an attempting to get comfortable, Alvin’s eyes begin to close. Gently, Alvin takes one last deep breath before falling deeper, and deeper, into sleep. The swoosh of the ceiling fan begins to slowly fade, Alvin drifts off into slumber.

In the same moment, an ominous fog creeps through the crack of the bedroom window, ever so slightly lifting up the curtains and dripping down the leg of his desk. Alvin, non the wiser, continues to remain in his state of sleep. 

The fog makes a sudden shift, heading straight for Alvin, who is still completely unaware of its presence. Just as the fog reaches its peak, but before it can make its move on Alvin, his bedroom door begins to open. 

The shadowy fog disappears out of the bedroom through the window it had entered.

"Goodnight my boy" whispers Alvin’s mother, "may all of your dreams come true". 

She continues to speak to him whispering in a gentle warm tone.

Im his dream, Alvin is dreaming of Rock climbing reaches for his next grip. Attempting to not look down or behind him, he continues upward. Higher and higher he climbs, reaching for one rock after the next. The palms of his hands and forehead begin to sweat. But Alvin continues to climb regardless. 

Alvin takes a pause and looks up. From what he can see, the wall continues all the way up into the clouds above and beyond the stars. Just a bit further up, he notices a small ledge in the rocks. A perfect spot for taking a break to figure out how he is going to conquer this giant task of climbing the rocky and never ending wall. Alvin squints his eyes, tightens his gloves, and slicks his curly blonde hair back.

 "I can do this" he says to himself.

"This, this is what separates boys from the men". 

Feeling sure of his decision, he reaches up, tightens his grip, and continues on. All while keeping eye contact with the ledge.

All of a sudden, his left foot slips. WHY!? he shouts, before he repositions his foot and continues up the wall. The wind begins to blow stronger; his red t-shirt starts to lift up off his back, exposing his skin to the cold wind. 

As he approaches the ledge, Alvin begins to notice something rather odd. A silhouette he hadn’t noticed before quickly dashes out of view, scurrying from the ledge. Alvin climbs faster and faster, his adrenaline racing, and his heart pounding like he had never experienced before. 

Suddenly, Alvin freezes, having reached the ledge.  

Using his right hand, he reaches for the ledge. Left hand to follow, he forces himself rolling up onto the ledge. Staring up towards the forever-continuing wall. His chest moving up and down rapidly, as he tries to catch his breath. Alvin then leans his head over towards a cave in the side of the wall that is now visible to him.

"Holy crap!!" 

Alvin screams as he jumps up like a scared cat. There is a pair of red and purple eyes staring at him from the shadows. A pair of hands that do not appear human emerge from the shadow’s boarders. Slowly lifting its body up and out, Alvin begins to see the shape of something unheard of. 

The sky begins to turn grey, thunder sounding in the distance. Alvin backs up to the ledge. Almost too far, he chips the edge with his foot as little pieces of rock fall away beyond his sight. Who are you!? Alvin shouts with a stutter in his voice. 

The unknown creature takes a slight pause in movement.

"Are you the boy they seek? Ignorant to his other life, the champion of freedom for many?" 

Thunder begins to draw near, the sound beginning to cause trembling vibrations on the ledge.

"The saviour of the jewel who will bring harmony to those who seek it and destruction to those who will stand against him?" 

Shaken, Alvin begins to shift. Not knowing