Kristallo's Avail: The Journey of Crystal Souls

By Selena Heinz

A young girl who goes by the name Celna lives what she sees to be an ordinary life, not knowing the truth about her father’s disappearance and her family’s odd changes. She soon finds out that when children turn thirteen years of age, people who hide in the shadows come to steal their soul in crystal form. After her thirteenth birthday, Celna meets many interesting friends and goes on a bumpy journey while on the way to find her father. Celna goes through many challenges of trying reality, love, friendship, and betrayal. How will her journey unfold?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664188570

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

Noo, not yet . . . It’s too early. The sun’s not even up yet. Huh? Wait, It’s so bright though . . . Whaahhh! I’ve got school today, and I’m late! My goodness, I can’t believe I slept in! I’ve got to make my lunch too. Oh, Mom’s in the kitchen.

Hey, Mom, good morning.

Good morning to you as well, Celna. Oh, you’re late. My goodness, here, I made your lunch for you.

Thanks, Mom, that helps. I’m heading out now, Mom. Have a good day. I love you.

Okay, have a good day at school. I love you too. Now hurry and get there before you’re late!

My mom is a sweet lady. I feel bad for her though. You see, two years ago, our father went missing, and since then, I’ve seen Mother looking out the window as if she were seeing something I can’t. I’m not sure how to explain it, but the aura she puts off . . . well, I find it to be quite peculiar. I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to come off as strange in my family’s eyes. Mother, to me, seems like a different person ever since Dad went missing. You haven’t met my siblings as of yet. They’re what you’ll find to be interesting cases. You see, I have four siblings, two younger and two older. Let me introduce them to you. I have a seventeen-year-old sister named Rita (she’s the oldest of the bunch), a fourteen-year-old brother named Levicio (he’s the second oldest), then there’s me (I am the third oldest sibling). Then I’ve got two younger siblings, a younger sister who is seven years old named Calix and a ten-year-old brother named Tenzin.

You’re probably wondering why I say they’re what you’ll find to be interesting cases. Well, my older siblings, Rita and Levicio, have been similar to emotionless zombies since they turned thirteen. I remember when they became like this because the change was quite drastic that it honestly scared me. Don’t get me wrong. They are, for sure, human beings, and they laugh, smile, and feel. They . . . they just seem to be missing a part of themselves. I’m sure I sound crazy, but I promise I’m not, at least I’d like to think I’m not. Something is off about my family; it has been since Rita and Levicio turned thirteen, and then it got even weirder once Father went missing.

Phewww! I finally made it to school. My teacher is not going to give me a nice welcoming. Hehe, I’m nervous. Okay, let’s get it over with. I’ll try to sneak to my seat without being caught. The door doesn’t squeak or make noise when it opens, so that’s good for me. Although the door is in the very back of the class, but the thing is, my seat is in the front row! This is just my luck. So I plan to crawl to my desk. I know right, embarrassing! I’m by the third row, and he hasn’t spotted me yet. That’s a relief. Just a little farther.

CELNA!

Huh! Uh-oh, he saw me!

I see you’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence.

Um, yes, sir.

Take a seat. Don’t be late again, or I’ll dock a point from your grade.

Okay, I won’t be late again, I promise. Thanks for letting me off easy this time, Teach.

Don’t thank me. I don’t want to see you come in late again.

This is the worst. Although my teacher is older than me, I feel as though in a sense, I’m older than him. It feels as though I’ve been alive much longer than I have been. Strange, I know. Because of this, I really—and I mean really—do not like being talked down to. It’s my biggest pet peeve! Also, I’m not socially awkward due to this feeling either. I am quite bold and speak my mind as I see fit. Who knows? I’m an ordinary twelve-year-old female who isn’t the most feminine, and I’m somewhat of an introvert, so attention bothers me. That’s why making a scene like being late at my thing . . . oh well, it’s too late now.

* * *

It’s been seven hours. I’m free! Finally, I’ve been waiting to go home all day. Huh? The house is covered in colorful decorations? But why? Is there something special going on that I wasn’t informed about? The door’s unlocked too. Strange, but they probably forgot to lock it earlier. We’ve always locked the door no matter what time it is and if the suns out. It’s normal for me since we’ve done it for so long, but other families I’ve seen don’t lock their door during the day. What do I know? I’m sure I’m overthinking it. Haha.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CELNA!

Whoa! Wasn’t what I expected . . . Wait! It’s my birthday?

"Ya, it’s the twentieth of May, Celna."

"Wow, I forgot my birthday. That’s honestly just sad. Aww, thanks, guys, it means a lot. It feels like it came so fast. I can’t believe I’m already thirteen years old. I guess this is what it means when adults say, ‘Times