Cristal - Novella

Copyright: 2012 Anne-Rae Vasquez

Published: February 24, 2014

Publisher: AR Publishing Inc. at Smashwords,
Inc.

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction and a novella of Parts 1
and 2 of the “Doubt” novel. The author is sharing this novella for
new fans who want to sample the story. Readers who enjoy the story
and would like to read Part 3 are invited to purchase the full
novel “Doubt.”. The events and characters described here are purely
fictional and in no way represent or resemble real life events,
places or people.

Among Us Trilogy. Copyright © 2012 by AR
Publishing

www.amongus.ca
www.anne-raevasquez.com

Developmental Editor: Josefina Rosado
Editor: Candace Sinclair, WordsRU
Copy Editor: B. Miller
Cover graphic design by AR Publishing
Illustration of Mist by Emma Rosado

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without
written permission from the author.

AR Publishing Smashwords edition

The right of Anne-Rae Vasquez to be identified as
author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with
sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise transmitted without written permission from the
publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment
only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people.
If you would like to share this book with another person, please
purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading
this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your
use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your
own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this
author.

Find out more about the author and upcoming books
online at www.anne-rae.vasquez.com or @write2film.

“…
As a big fan of the show Fringe,
this book appealed to me tremendously. The writing was well done,
and the way the “supernatural” forces were introduced was great.
The characters, primarily Harry and Cristal, were developed and
built up very well, and had enough detail about their lives for us
readers to understand them as people, not just characters.
Genuinely looking forward to read the rest of the series when it
comes out!”
- Melissa Greenberg, Inkspand
review

“It starts with a game designer and
shining star programmer, Harry Doubt. ‘How was he going to convince
online gamers to leave the privacy of their virtual world to work
with others in the real world?’ is the question that ends chapter
three. As someone who is married to an online gamer, that strikes
me as a really good question...It was an excellent story that I’m
sure both adult and teen urban fantasy fans will enjoy. You don’t
have to be a gamer or know one to identify with the characters.
They’re very well developed and definitely feel like people. I
would definitely recommend it to a friend and I’m really looking
forward to the second book.”
– Ginger Lego,
Inkspand review

“
Doubt, Among Us Trilogy, by
Anne-Rae Vasquez, was a good and refreshing read for me. I am not
too into books about the supernatural, but the idea of gamers on
assignments was intriguing…The author uses this story to show that
we are spiritual in nature, either for good or for bad. Cristal and
all of her associates often obey orders without question until good
eventually overcomes and the reader is left with a lot to think
about. I would recommend this book to a friend. I will read book
two and three because of the interesting way the subject of angels
and demons is approached. A good, clean read for any age.”
– S. Coleman, Inkspand review

“Doubt is book 1 of an intriguing
and exciting trilogy by Anne-Rae Vasquez.  With enjoyable,
vibrant young characters fighting a frightening unknown entity in a
world that is about to self-destruct, Doubt will definitely appeal
to readers of all ages who love sci-fi supernatural
thrillers.”
- Owen Choi, author of best
seller, Tendrils of Life

“Captivating, thrilling and
compelling. The story is original and fresh–a definite ‘have to
read’ for new adult urban fantasy fiction
readers.”
- Libby Howell, book
reviewer

“
A dystopian adventure, edgy and
thought-provoking, which raises questions about what we’re doing to
our society and planet. This gritty narrative which is fast paced
and full of twists and turns is hard to put down till the
end.”
- Cid Andrenelli, author of The Burqa
Master

“International intrigue,
encryptions, and clandestine arrangements tumble together in this
action-packed plot as young internet gamers use their skills to
investigate who, or what, is behind the catastrophic events
happening around the globe, led by this season’s newest, and most
brilliant, master-mind – Harry Doubt!”
-
Emily Hill, author of The Ghost Chaser’s Daughter and the Ghost
Stories series.

“
Doubt is a must-read novel that
has depth and substance mashed up with fringe science. If you read
no other book this year, this is the one to read!”
– William Miller, author of Kyrathaba
Rising

“I like books that go straight to
the point without a flood of unnecessary introductory words. And
this one grabbed me from the beginning with the idea of time
travel… I was also impressed by the fact that there were “pictures”
of all main characters, including their avatars. I love being able
to imagine exactly how they look like. The author’s style is light
and pleasant to read and I read it very quickly. And when thing got
more complicated I couldn’t stop reading.”
– R. Chelebieva, Inkspand reviewer

“
OMGosh! I just finished
reading "Doubt"... INCREDIBLE! I couldn't put it
down. Well developed characters with thoroughly explained
relationships. Great background info - adds so much to the reader
knowing what is going on at all times.  Cristal is a
great lead. She is strong, smart, beautiful - a brilliant
package. 

Harry is a wonderful character -
he's the smart, fearless leader whose childhood left him
with a slight childlike innocence /immaturity and trust
issues. The twists and turns and the espionage involving the gamers
and the GN kept me on the edge of my seat. The paranormal
aspect was something I wasn't expecting, but was pleased with.
The flow/pace was great. The writing was smooth and there were
enough ups and downs to keep a reader interested. I'm not sure
what to expect next, but know that I can't wait to read
more!” –
Lisa W, GoodReads
member

For Joseph whose vision and support inspired me to
write this book. For my kids who inspired me to learn about the
hidden talents of online gamers. For Kathleen who pushed the
boundaries of my imagination. And for Josefina who helped me bring
Harry, Kerim and Cristal to life. Finally, for the Truth Seekers
who dared to believe.

In loving memory of Manny and Dee who are with us in
spirit.

And a special tribute to Aaron Swartz and Harry Fear
whose work inspire our youth to fight for truth and justice.

Special thanks to the Truth Seekers for their
contributions and participation in Harry Doubt's missions.

Josefina Rosado as Cristal Hernandez (alias
Mist)

Anne-Rae Vasquez as Harry Doubt (alias
Zero)

Jeanne Lee as Joanna Chan (alias Onyx)

Khaled Talib, author of Smokescreen as
Rinaldo Ricci (alias Red Fox)

Donna Bonastella as Angelica Martinelli
(alias Venus)

Macqueline Cajandab as Serena Keensky (alias
Lioness)

Josefina Rosado, Anne-Rae Vasquez as Kerim
Ilgaz (alias Shadow) and Gabriel (alias Graphix)

Kathleen McMahon as Jenna Adams (alias
Celestial Nymph)

Dear Truth Seeker,

I believe in capturing history and this is my attempt
to leave our story for the future generation of Truth Seekers like
you.

I have asked all my Truth Seekers to keep a journal.
I encourage each one to write their thoughts, events and ideas so
as to preserve the story as close to the real events, thoughts and
feelings as possible. I want history to remember us not just from
my words but also from the words of my closest and dearest
friends—even friends who have ended being my worst enemies.

Your mission is to share these events with other
Truth Seekers. Keep the faith that ‘Good’ will prevail. We must
stay united in mind and in actions. We must maintain our
perseverance to save humanity and the world.

Harry Doubt
Truthseekers unite!

Chapter 1

COINCIDENCE?
HARRY’S MOTHER always told him that there were no such things as
coincidences. Only fools believed in that garbage.

This may explain her erratic behavior when
his father, Aaron Doub, a respected quantum physicist, collapsed in
front of them. A simple, impromptu, after-work dinner party, which
his mother Bina was hosting at their home, had turned into an
unforgettable nightmare.

His father’s last words were, “We have the
theoretical and experimental capabilities to build a time machine
to the future. We have also discovered a scientifically feasible
way to go back into the past...”

He remembered how his father’s marble brown
eyes bulged out of their sockets; his mouth opened as if to finish
the sentence. Then, in slow motion, Aaron fell forward, his face
landing into the pile of whipped mashed potatoes on his plate in
front of him. The glaring bald spot, which Aaron meticulously
polished and combed over every morning, was all that Harry could
see from his end of the table.

What would Dad do if he had built his time machine
earlier? Would he be here right now?

Harry glanced over his shoulder wondering if
there was the slightest possibility that an ‘Aaron Doub from the
past’ was standing in the shadows, observing the circus freak show
unfolding at this particular point in time.

His father’s colleague, Dr. Saeed Nariman,
also a quantum physicist, lifted his father’s head from the plate
while another guest helped wipe the mashed potatoes from his
father’s face. They both lifted his father and placed him on the
floor. In a daze, Harry stood up and walked towards his father’s
inert body.

His mother was on the other side, waving her
arms in the air, and wailing at the top of her lungs, “They killed
him! They killed him!” she cried.
Who killed him?
Harry
thought.

Thankfully, a wife of one of his father’s
colleagues came and guided his mother away. Harry stood motionless,
watching in awe as Dr. Saeed placed his mouth on his father’s lips.
Aaron’s chest rose up and down with every breath Dr. Saeed blew
into his mouth.

Dr. Saeed glanced up at Harry and glared at
him, saying, “Don’t just stand there, Harry! Call 9-1-1!”

***

His father was pronounced dead an hour after
they arrived at the hospital. Harry was walking back from the
vending machine. The ER doctor came out of surgery and found his
mother and Dr. Saeed in the waiting room. Harry could read
from the grim expression on the doctor’s face that the news was
going to break his mother’s heart.

“We found a small clot lodged in your
husband’s brain,” the doctor said to his mother. “It caused
hemorrhagic damage to the surrounding tissue. I’m sorry, Ms.
Schwartz…we did all we could.”