UNSEEN
Authors: John Michael Hileman
UNSEEN
by John Michael Hileman
Praise for #1 Bestselling author
John Michael Hileman
Praise for
UNSEEN
"
As a United States Air Force Pilot in the middle of training, I have very little time for anything outside of flying and family, but I eagerly made an exception when hearing about this book and was truly rewarded with each turn of the page; suspenseful, thrilling, and thoroughly engrossing until the very end!"
~
U.S. Air Force Pilot Kyle Bradford
"
This heart-pumping story grabbed me, forced everything else away, pulled out my tears and stole my sleep from the fascinating beginning to its conclusion. Satisfied? NO! I want more."
~
Ruthie Burke
Director of First Step Pregnancy Resource Center
"
This book powerfully touched every raw emotion within from the moment it began till the very end."
~
Amazon Reviewer Stephanie Dunn
"
A fascinating plot that grabbed my attention from page one, a great pace that kept the pages turning, and a deep richness that still has me thinking."
~
Reviewer Lisa Norsworthy
"
John Michael Hileman has done it again! Unseen delivers, with engrossing characters and a story line that will capture your heart."
~
Amazon Reviewer Amy Smith
"...
not only a great riveting read, but one that shakes you to your core with a purpose."
~
Amazon Reviewer Tiffany Stewart
Praise for
MESSAGES
"
Messages
,
by John Michael Hileman, is a high-energy, fast-paced work of fiction, packed with grit and substance. This edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller will entice readers from the first page to the last."
~
Literary Classics Book Awards and Reviews
"
If I could make it more than five stars I would. What a fantastic story! The pace never slows down, just picks up speed all the way. And it's amazing how one little thing from the beginning is a huge tie into the end. Phenomenal! Very well done!"
~
Reviewer Donna Snow
"
This book has many great twists and turns. It is a very well written suspense. For once, I did NOT have it totally figured out until the author wanted me to. To me, that's great suspense ... There are strong Christian themes in the book, but they don't overpower the story line. I think if I were in David's shoes, I might ask many of the same questions. "
~
Karen Baney, author of
Nickels
"
From the very first page, I was swept away. The characters are well developed, the plot is masterfully woven and the subject is entirely fresh."
~
Dianna Young, author of
Muted Grey
"
Hileman is a genius at developing suspense, giving enough breadcrumbs along the way to satisfy, but pleasantly surprising me near the end to find that he’d been holding the truth close to the chest, waiting for that right moment to spring it on me."
~
Rosie Cochran, author of
A Murder Unseen
Praise for
VRIN: ten mortal gods
"
I don't even like science fiction/fantasy, but once I started reading
VRIN
,
I wanted to keep reading it 'till I was done. It was deep enough to really make me think … but not so deep that I couldn't understand it."
~
Amazon Reviewer Hope Buswell
"
Since I'm not much of a pleasure reader, I have to thank John for writing a book that I could actually enjoy. The book was appropriately cerebral and completely accessible. I was hooked within the first ten pages. When John releases his next book, I'll definitely read it."
~
Amazon Reviewer Greg Bingham
"
After reading
Messages
I decided to give this author another chance, and, WOW, was I impressed! Every reader of fantasy, sci-fi or spiritual fiction should find something delightful in this book. As a fan of all three, I found it highly satisfying on every level."
~
B.F. Spink, author of
After Midnight In Savannah
"
I've read the author's suspense/thriller, Messages, so I should have known that this book would be no less enthralling. Be ready for a rollercoaster that will shake you up and dump you off at the end feeling dizzy."
~
P. Creeden, of SpiritFilledKindle.com
Books by
John Michael Hileman
UNSEEN
By
editor Joanie Hileman
Amlin Publishing
2012
Copyright 2012, Amlin Publishing.
Kindle Edition 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
A special thanks to author Dianna Young
for inspiring this book.
A NOTE FROM JOHN
If you would like to be put on my reader list, drop me a line at
[email protected]
.
Chapter 1
There was a disorientation in not knowing where or who she was, but Abigail Atwater waited patiently for it to sort itself out; it was her nature to be forgiving. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a wrinkled hand, and squinted at the sun glinting off the windows of the tan brick building across the street. It had been a high school in years past, but now was an apartment building for the lower to middle class. This was her destination. She was sure of it. But the reason had not yet solidified in her mind. She shrugged internally and wiped more sweat from her upper lip. Though it was early, the temperature had already reached a blistering eighty-eight degrees, but a smile stretched out on Abigail's face. She didn't mind the heat. In fact, she quite enjoyed the feeling of warmth enveloping her body.
She gripped her cane and put weight on it as she looked back at the building looming behind her. It was shiny black, and covered in scaffolding. Construction workers crawled like ants upon the rigging and the noise of heavy machinery filled the air of downtown Sunbury.
Sunbury. The name instantly gave birth to images and feelings. She knew this place with its normally quiet streets and friendly people, but it looked different than she remembered it, more cluttered and busy.
It had not yet grown into an adult city with all the troubles that come along with it. Not that it was absent of troubles, but Sunbury was mostly country folk turned city folk. Therefore, its residents had not yet learned the dangers of smiling and saying hello when passing each other on the sidewalks.
Abigail looked down at the shriveled hand resting on the simple wooden cane; she lifted the other to touch her face. The ridges of skin felt soft as silk—and droopy around the chin. By all indications she was old, but she didn't feel old.
A car door slammed, and she looked up like a startled cat. Across the street a pot-bellied cab driver walked around the side of his cab to meet a beautiful red-headed women at the trunk. He flipped the trunk open and hauled three suitcases out onto the sidewalk. There was confusion for a moment, followed by an exchange of words. Abigail could not make out what they were saying, but, whatever it was, it was fiery—and exciting! The woman shook her head furiously. The man's arms raised into the air. And boisterous shouts were heard above the noise of the construction. There was so much heated emotion and passion that Abigail wanted to wave her hands around too, and shout loudly with great conviction. What fun it would be to well up with emotion and energy. What rapture to allow it to explode into sharp words and demonstrative motions.
But as she stood smiling, her mission began to take shape in her memory.
She had not come to this particular street and this particular building by chance; she had been sent to deliver an important message.
Inside the old high school, beyond the angry woman and the fat-bellied cab driver, was a door with a 203 on it. Behind that door was a handsome young man who needed to hear the message she had been sent to deliver. But was it time yet?
She craned her neck and looked up the street. A dump truck had stopped in the middle of the road as a man with a sign stood holding back traffic. She turned carefully and looked down the street. A group of men in orange vests were directing cars to take a detour up the hill. The downtown street, which was normally streaming with traffic, now sat barren and devoid of life, save for the cabby and his regrettable cargo.
By all indications, it was time.
Abigail stepped off the curb, adjusted her sapphire flowered dress, and made her way across the hot pavement. The woman and the cabby paid no attention to her as she passed. They were having far too much fun talking loudly and waving their hands about. Well, mostly the woman. A look of apathy had settled on the man's face. The right corner of his mouth was stuck in a pinched expression, as if to communicate his boredom and lack of interest in the matter.
Abigail climbed the granite steps, but before she reached the double wooden doors, they flew open, and an attractive brown-skinned woman stepped out. Abigail froze mid-step.