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Crystal Crawford, Author of Clean Young Adult Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, & YA Romance...and some other things.
C. Crawford writing:
Curiously creating worlds.
Find out more about my books and series:
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Me too! (And I love writing it!)
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![I stood and paced in front of my desk, thinking out loud. “They said Chloe might have been taken because she resembled Emery. They do look a bit alike, but I hadn’t thought much of that.” Chloe did have the same color hair as Emery, and a similar build. “That would mean whoever took Chloe didn’t know about what had already happened to Emery, though, right? That seems to contradict their other theory that Chloe was taken to target me, doesn’t it?”
Not to mention that anyone targeting me made zero sense. I was no threat to anyone—I could barely keep track of my own socks.
Collin looked up at me. “Maybe. I mean, if you were the target all along, then I suppose even what happened to Emery could be—” He stopped, seeming to realize how that sounded. “Or maybe they’re wrong, and whatever’s going on with Chloe has nothing to do with you or Emery at all.”
I appreciated his pivot to spare my feelings, but what if it was all connected? As much as it hurt to think any of this—or all of this—might somehow be my fault, ignoring that possibility wouldn’t get us any closer to the truth.
Collin’s eyes sparked with an idea. “You know what we need? A crime board. One of those crazy boards with the pictures and strings and push pins and all that.”
“We don’t have anything to put on it, yet,” I said, though I did like the idea..."We have no evidence, not even any clues. Except…”
Except for my weird dreams. And the notebook I was still holding.
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 10]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497760021_1266803162115180_6595612605925201082_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=R32bvGwIONwQ7kNvwHQen9v&_nc_oc=Adlvj_OEIjkMYOdFPb_jqi6sWHWqQ2ZBUiWjVj85U7mApWd_CJ8M13yMJq77cToVkwc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfQlYsjDdjZWldaBg3GbeTfRMFjUVwpYNnFSblzE2tfSRg&oe=6881D602)
![Meredith leveled her gaze on me. “So you never feel like the dreams are trying to tell you something? Trying to warn you?”
Jillian locked her stare on me as well. “You never feel like, for example, your sister maybe left you clues as to what happened to her and wrote them down somewhere in hidden messages that only you would be able to interpret?”
Emery’s notebook.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “How did you know about that?” I whispered. I’d always felt there were more to those quotes and sketches, but—that was crazy, right?
Collin looked at me. “Aubrey? What are they talking about?”
Meredith watched me for a long moment. “Did your sister ever talk to you about us?”
I narrowed my eyes. “No. You weren’t even at this school, yet. How would she have?”
Collin stepped close to my side, then turned to the girls with frustration. “This is cruel, whatever this is, and you need to stop it right now. If you can help us find Chloe, great, but I’m an inch from changing my mind about that, too, and we’re all about to be late for school. So if you actually have something helpful to say, can you get to the point?”
They stared at him for a long moment while my heart raced.
Then Meredith crossed her arms. “We’re not going to school today.”
“Then why are you even here?” I spat back.
She laughed. “For you, of course.”
I gaped at her. “What? Why?”
Tory looked back at the other two, then shrugged. “She’s not ready. We should go.”
They turned to walk away.
I tensed. “No, wait! Can you really help us find Chloe?”
I was freaked out, but these girls could be my only chance at finding my best friend.
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 10]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497529633_1266803205448509_5895969222303884714_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=2VLmJTw8NlcQ7kNvwEcK11M&_nc_oc=Adm1JuERT9a3bkrT6dZj5i0jl9GT9IdhbbNn7qc-prSHdQV9mYF5FUK0zixzHv90gqk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfQYdnsqE4QjiIkxqZSjqezkvNrZiCs-nr5VmLANpip1Gw&oe=6881BAEF)
![***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 4]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed. Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/503905022_1735661327034093_6335803563509816604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=j5-ZOVkpJK8Q7kNvwHotbD1&_nc_oc=AdlRlD2iAwL6_MuniZ1HRn0QH5DvwjM2BM9wrGrsfVSjT7CFr0E4NEnoBl17qRD1cUU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfT6FVgk0KZVuYq2ooOR_vlAmRDd3u0YJlNSfZ1sgZXRoA&oe=6881CB99)
![***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 9]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed. Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/503635045_1730762920859775_6011541511181531697_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=gEFPAbcvligQ7kNvwEbLcja&_nc_oc=AdkQimPPaIR1hQ_zd6Lvlq_6izTsGY6WDO_7qahfZSYj7Lk1lxO_WYfnUDSnoKJiYRE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfQm3EhlzuMPJXVyop_RoUeOB-_ifAdir6D5ICn0eXttNw&oe=6881E14E)
![I stared out the window while Collin drove, trying to get my thoughts in order. If the police wouldn’t help Chloe, then I would have to do it myself, but I had no clue where to start. These supposed cheerleader-investigators were my only hope… if those rumors were even true. What should I do, just go up and ask them?
When Collin pulled into the school parking lot, I saw the three cheerleaders in question conversing on the other side of the lot.
I turned to Collin. “What do you know about the newest members of Lockley’s cheer squad? Those three girls who transferred in this year?” I gestured toward them.
He glanced at me. “Considering I transferred to your school a few weeks ago? Nothing. I’m not even sure of half the squad’s names.”
My heart sank a bit. “Lockley’s never mentioned them? She seems friendly with them.”
He parked in a spot further down the row, then looked at me. “As much as I love my sister, I’m not exactly following the details of her social calendar. I think she hangs out with pretty much everyone from the squad.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“No reason.”
His eyes narrowed. “What’s this about? You have that 'I’m about to do something stupid' look again.”
I glared at him.
He shrugged. “Hey, who am I to stop you? I do stupid stuff all the time.”
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 9]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497607786_1266302935498536_5223943720107621303_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=bRJfilwx6rQQ7kNvwHe8W-a&_nc_oc=AdmFbKtBHPGdp-saf29Jbtfp-AQ2CKMziPfv2ngDBmG6j0DDWOpM9jLYuFYqHVPEB7Q&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfRP8ZvJSyiBzKLl52kqaMsDBvovTmd70RW6B46OBcXcyA&oe=6881CC1C)
![I mentioned before that some of the notebook pages featured in Aubrey Lance, S.S. hint at others of my published series... a fun little Easter Egg for my readers to find!
This page, though, contains ONE reference to a story I've already released to readers (in some form), and one reference to a story that haven't been published, yet... but will be!
Can you guess which of the sketches on this page from Emery's notebook refers to an existing story of mine that *is* available to readers--and what that story is?
(Hint: The story is available in my PirateCat publishing portal!)
[If you're an Alpha reader and happen to have read the as-yet-unpublished one, too: Shhhhhhhh! It's not out yet!😉]
***
If you love puzzles, twists, MAGIC, and mystery, check out my new YA serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
You can read Season 1: The Vanishings FREE on my website--I'm posting new episodes Monday-Saturday! Link in bio.](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497502095_1266303215498508_2692599452377754040_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=M_86hpHpYKEQ7kNvwFmb1bH&_nc_oc=AdmPczH1VjYMlsQYLeHQ6kJYcHLfqWsUPinY7cTlFqrxdTxt6FhjQo4rK6IMzgxv1as&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfR3kVUO-XA7KSl8eqZVQlrMSHcnwt-2boHFOF8nhV1-AQ&oe=6881B5EC)
![By the time I sank into Collin’s passenger seat with my warm egg sandwich and thermos of hot coffee in hand, I was starting to doubt my plan. Word about Chloe had to have gotten around by now. People would probably ask me about her. They’d for sure spread rumors about what they thought “really” happened. Everyone knew I was her best friend. Could I face all the looks and questions, again, like what happened with Emery?
I suddenly felt sick.
Collin glanced over at me while he drove. “Oh, cheese. You’re green. Are you gonna puke in the car?” He looked genuinely worried. “Do you need me to pull over?”
I set the sandwich down on my lap and drew a deep breath. “No. I’m just—”
He hesitated a moment, then reached for my hand.
I tensed as his fingers found mine, but I didn’t pull away.
“You’re scared,” he said gently, glancing between me and the road. “I get it. Do you want me to take you back home?”
I looked over at him, and the compassion in his expression nearly undid me.
“No, I… I need a moment.” I forced myself to meet his eyes. “I won’t puke in your car.”
He squeezed my fingers, then moved his hand back to the steering wheel. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know. I don’t mind.” He smiled at me. “About taking you home, I mean. I kinda would mind if you puked in my car.”
A small chuckle escaped me. “Noted.”
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 9]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497128969_1266303055498524_8757793143834952551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=_B8D_xK2M5AQ7kNvwFbnXqz&_nc_oc=Adnwcs1D9vgDIrHNmfK9ihSqlvMSK09ZqawPxdcyoBUwgT1Hgx8jG53YLoUs5zrrtVM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfSBcjp8e4JLyWjYugL4_D5s7iaU3Q1o9aqac1_dDdIg8g&oe=6881D683)
![I was right in the middle of one of the strangest dreams I’d ever had — Chloe was standing in the ice cream shop, smiling at Devin, who was holding two ice cream cones that were literally on fire while a screaming hawk flew circles around his feet — when the sound of the front door shutting woke me, and I heard my mom call up.
“Aubrey, are you here?”
I sat up, disoriented. The light coming in from the windows was dim, like it was dusk outside. How long had I slept?
I heard Mom drop her keys and purse on the counter, then her footsteps hurried up the stairs. “Aubrey?”
Only then did the tone of her voice hit me. Something wasn’t right.
I threw back the covers as she pushed open my bedroom door. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
As soon as she saw me, her hand flew to her chest and she heaved a breath of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. When you didn’t answer—” Her eyes were still wild and worried, though, and it sent my heart racing. She glanced around my room, and her face fell. “You’re here alone?”
“Yesss,” I said, confused. Why wouldn’t I be? My chest tightened. “What’s going on, Mom?”
The worry in her eyes deepened. “Did you just wake up? Have you heard from Chloe?”
Chloe? My heart rose into my throat. I grabbed my phone from my nightstand. The time was nearly 8PM. I had been asleep for a while—several hours. I tapped to open my messages, then shook my head. “Not since earlier, when she said she was going to the ice cream place.” I looked up at my Mom. “Why?”
She leveled a heartbroken gaze at me. “I got stuck at work late, but Mary called me as I was leaving.”
Mary was Chloe’s mom.
I braced for something bad—I could feel it coming.
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 4]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link is in my bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497457232_1266303162165180_6063615712586814909_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=Nj4DVBAlmQgQ7kNvwGkRwmQ&_nc_oc=AdlO3xkuAFB7W0cbAW34UnJTgo6mDxoRG7jstUVkNMaSN1v41sir7GxLRu0nSupxovU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfRnbK3M1P89rq4GF-_FhR8nS4PJVoHRXigyb9AqYTyAxQ&oe=6881C6CE)
![I was right in the middle of one of the strangest dreams I’d ever had — Chloe was standing in the ice cream shop, smiling at Devin, who was holding two ice cream cones that were literally on fire while a screaming hawk flew circles around his feet — when the sound of the front door shutting woke me, and I heard my mom call up.
“Aubrey, are you here?”
I sat up, disoriented. The light coming in from the windows was dim, like it was dusk outside. How long had I slept?
I heard Mom drop her keys and purse on the counter, then her footsteps hurried up the stairs. “Aubrey?”
Only then did the tone of her voice hit me. Something wasn’t right.
I threw back the covers as she pushed open my bedroom door. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
As soon as she saw me, her hand flew to her chest and she heaved a breath of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. When you didn’t answer—” Her eyes were still wild and worried, though, and it sent my heart racing. She glanced around my room, and her face fell. “You’re here alone?”
“Yesss,” I said, confused. Why wouldn’t I be? My chest tightened. “What’s going on, Mom?”
The worry in her eyes deepened. “Did you just wake up? Have you heard from Chloe?”
Chloe? My heart rose into my throat. I grabbed my phone from my nightstand. The time was nearly 8PM. I had been asleep for a while—several hours. I tapped to open my messages, then shook my head. “Not since earlier, when she said she was going to the ice cream place.” I looked up at my Mom. “Why?”
She leveled a heartbroken gaze at me. “I got stuck at work late, but Mary called me as I was leaving.”
Mary was Chloe’s mom.
I braced for something bad—I could feel it coming.
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 4]
***
If you love *clean* young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!
#yafantasy #yamystery #youngadultfiction #cleanyareads](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/485495326_18376573486189552_6027985622774116682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=S-iW2sZtaNIQ7kNvwH1X-ps&_nc_oc=AdkpTualPtaw9sbFGyF_mPnLTfrFV7nDk2nIs2umezxwkCTe7SDtoCFHM7OnxFqIOSM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfSdwToP6T3a9u8bJYG_1wHhvqxqaITaAfqs13Op5NKqCA&oe=6881C02E)
![Lockley’s brother, Collin, was my age and in my grade, but I honestly hadn’t spent much time with him until recently. He’d been at some swanky prep school his first two years of high school, and had transferred to our area’s public school a couple weeks ago, even though it was halfway through his junior year. I didn’t know why—Lockley had said he just wasn’t happy at the prep school anymore.
From how I could see it, though, Collin wasn’t happy anywhere.
Today, he was scowling at me from the backseat as I climbed into the front passenger side of Lockley’s car, but I wasn’t about to complain. Without Lockley giving me a ride, I’d be catching the 5AM school bus.
I chose to get my morning entertainment by acting outrageously cheerful. “Good morning!” I grinned at Collin.
He looked taken aback by my obnoxious perkiness. His scowl deepened. “Is it?” he muttered, then buried his face in his phone.
***
[excerpt from Aubrey Lance, S.S., Season 1 - episode 2]
***
If you love young adult mystery, MAGIC (this is a fantasy-mystery!), puzzles, twists, sweet moments, tight-knit families, and strong friendships, you'll love my new serial, Aubrey Lance, S.S. (Supernatural Sleuth)!
Read Aubrey Lance, S.S. -- Season 1: The Vanishings, for FREE in the forum on my website! New episodes post daily Monday-Saturday until the story is completed.
Link in bio!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497593963_1265422138919949_4573781955290817367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=ONcs04kncvoQ7kNvwEqjQzM&_nc_oc=AdmmBJHB5yF1tIVzn5_V4nbqxpFZF5ts7pQGsQBmftf76T2BGuzmBzsV8Z95pOdHYAk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=3T3x1wZHCJ8e7E3gcYSs9Q&oh=00_AfSqc2U8Z9dKcXFxHkVfhxEXf1_TVROQjZHZfPZGqG33qw&oe=6881B9D0)
You can also find me on:
CCrawfordWritinG: Home of Crystal Crawford, Author of Clean Young Adult Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and YA Romance...and some other things.
Find out more about who I am, what I write, and why I write on my About page!
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