Maria Marhill's home life is already difficult. Along with typical teenage stresses-school, friends, and boys-her father had been in a terrible accident that left him comatose. Years have passed since that terrible day, but Maria and her mother still live on and struggle to move forward. And Maria is moving forward-until the morning she has her first vision. In the vision, she sees a bank heist. She knows this isn't just a dream; after all, dreams don't usually happen when you're awake. Maria does what she had to do: she makes an anonymous phone call to Detective Lenny Hipar. Fortunately, he listens, and the crooks don't succeed. Soon, Maria seeks out Detective Hipar for support as her visions continue; she fears losing her mind. Maria keeps it all a secret; she doesn't know if her mom can handle it, after her father's accident. But Maria's newfound talent has made her a target. With the help of Hipar, she must stand up to crime bosses, drug dealers, and bank robbers, all in the name of justice. Maria's psychic gift has the potential to ruin her life and her relationship with her mom-but it could also bring her family back together.

Taking up the Chase

By William A. Hillman Jr.

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 William A. Hillman Jr.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-5277-6

Chapter One

A young girl woke up one morning. It was an average morning, or so it seemed. On this morning she woke more by habit shortly before the alarm rung.

She closed her eyes and then rubbed them a bit. She sat up in bed and put her feet on the floor.

"Maria, it's time to get up," called the girl's mother through a closed door.

Maria Marhill shook her blonde hair out of her eyes and got up. She walked to her closet and began her usual ritual before school.

She had just put on her shirt and reached into the closet to get a coat when something happened.

She froze as something went through her that she could not describe.

The image of her mother went through her view but not her eyes. Her mother was pouring a glass of juice. Suddenly, the glass she was holding slipped from her hand. Juice went everywhere. "Oh no," she said. She reached for a towel on a roll. September 12. The date was not in her mind's eye, but she just knew it, as if it had been downloaded into her brain.

The experience stopped, and Maria looked around, frightened. What was that? she wondered. She walked back to her bed and sat down.

Am I sick? She pressed her hand to her forehead. I don't feel warm.

Maria looked at the calendar on the wall to her right. September 16, she thought. That's today's date.

"Maria, get moving," called her mother.

Maria got a sudden burst of energy at the thought of being late, and as she went downstairs, all thoughts of what had happened vanished.

Maria hurried into the kitchen after grabbing her coat off the hook. Her mother, Lois Marhill, was waiting by the table with a cup of coffee in her hand.

That's not juice, Maria thought. She sat down. Should I tell her what happened?

"Is something wrong, honey?" asked Lois.

Maria thought for only a moment. I feel fine. I just want to go to school. "No, Mom, I'm fine," she answered.

"Well, okay," said Lois. "I'll be home when you get finished with school."

"That's great," Maria said. She quickly ate her breakfast.

"See you later, Snugglebear," said Lois. Maria headed out the door.

I wonder what that was about, thought Maria, walking down the street. She soon entered the Paway High School

"Hey," called a strawberry blonde. She appeared excited as she approached Maria.

"Hey, Cindy," Maria said.

"You want to come over to my house today?" Cindy asked. "My parents will be gone, and we'll have the big screen to ourselves."

"Sure," answered Maria. She got her books from her locker. The bell rang. "See you."

Sometime later, Maria sat in class staring at the front of the room. The teacher continued to talk, but she did not pay attention. What happened to me? she wondered. I saw stuff. It didn't hurt, but what if ... I had a stroke or something? Oh no. Why didn't I tell Mom? Should I see the nurse? Maybe it's not that bad. Maybe it's something else. It could be that I was just tired. Maybe it was something I ate. No, Mom and I ate the same thing last night. What makes a person see stuff? I've never heard about anything like that before. What was with the date? It was like I just knew it. It doesn't make any sense.

She looked at the blackboard. The teacher was still talking. What if there's something wrong with me? Maria wondered. She looked around. Calm down. It's probably not that bad. Maybe I imagined it. It was probably a fluke or some other random thing that happens.

I feel all right, right? She touched her head self-consciously. I don't feel warm. She looked around at the other students. The teacher continued talking.

Maria looked at him for a few minutes. I'm not seeing anything now, she thought. Maybe it's nothing at all. I should probably look it up. The bell rang and the students, including Maria, filed out of the classroom.

In the school's computer lab, Maria sat down in front of one of the machines. Medical information sites, she typed. A list of hits filled the screen. She clicked on the first link.

Med Know How's home page came up. Seeing things, she typed. A list of mental disorders and illnesses appeared.

Maria was horrified. So now I'm crazy? she wondered. She thought for a moment. She added / knowing things to her search. No hits.

Maria slumped in her chair. In some ways she felt worse than before. So I'm either crazy or what?

She let out a sigh. What am I going to do? The bell rang and she left.

Please put, As she left the classroom she saw Cindy down the hall. The look on her face seemed to be of anticipation. Sadly, Maria held up her hand and shook her head. She then ran off and left the school building.

Sometime later, after Maria ran the way home, she went in to her returned house.

"Hey there, Snugglebear," said Lois. "How was school?"

"Fine," Maria answered.

Lois went back to her magazine.

Maria put her book bag by the couch and sat on its arm. "Mom?"

"Yeah, honey?"

Maria thought for a moment. "How was your day?" "Oh, fine," answered Lois. "Steve from accounting came in with news about a book that's coming out. He's recommending it to everyone. He really likes the author. Zercoft sales are going through the roof. Generics are doing good too."

"Anything else happen?" asked Maria. "Did anything happen here?" She was apprehensive.

"No, nothing really," Lois replied. "Just the usual chaotic moments, rushing around getting ready. I spilled some juice in all the excitement. It's a wonder I don't knock the house over. I've got to find a way to get things safely going in the morning."

It happened, Maria thought. She was not sure what she was feeling, but she tried not to show it. "When did that happen?"

"Just after you left," answered Lois.

It happened after the thing happened, she thought. "Mom, I've got to go," she said.

"Sure, honey." Maria took her notebook and left.

Before she went upstairs to her bedroom, she went into the kitchen. She opened the cupboard that held the trash can. She found a paper towel among its contents. It was stained the color of the juice.

It happened, she thought. She went up to her room.

What's going on? Maria wondered. She paced frantically around the room. Did I have a vision of the future? I can't believe it. Maria felt amazement rise up in her. She put her hand on her forehead and then walked to her bed, where she sat down.

She flopped her upper half down on the bed. Her legs dangled over the foot of the mattress. This feels so unreal, she thought. She lay there for a couple of moments.

She looked up at her computer. Without thinking she went over to it and turned it on. Seeing the future, she typed.

When she clicked the search button, thousands of links came up. Seeing Ahead: Myth or Reality? she read. Washington University of the Paranormal, studying the unseen world for more than 20 years. Madam Roustee. The seer of your very souls. Modern Science Journal, how clairvoyance and other mental powers are impossible.

Maria clicked on a historical link. Practitioners from the Far East believed that knowledge of future events was possible through many sources, she read. From seeing how yellow sticks would fall to how stones would roll along the ground. The ones who were trained in these arts were said to be able to know about anything that would transpire in the future.

After a few more moments, Maria stopped reading and took a deep breath. Nothing in here is anything like what happened to me, she thought. This doesn't help me at all.

She kept reading. About an hour later she stopped. I've read everything I could find and none of it was like what happened. They don't talk about what it's like, only that they "see the future."

She logged off. Maybe that's not what happened to me at all. She started to walk away.

Suddenly, it happened again.

Lois was in the kitchen. She reached to get something on the top shelf while standing on a chair. Her foot was standing on its back. It wobbled, and her foot slipped. She tried to grab the shelf, but her hands slipped. "Ahh!" she cried. She fell downward. September 12, 5:12 p.m. went through Maria's mind like the date had before.

"Mom," Maria cried. She looked around, expecting her mother to come into her room.

Maria stood there, nervous once again. Oh my goodness, she thought. Is that going to happen to her?

Maria took a deep breath. Five twelve: that's ... She looked at her watch. Now! She darted downstairs.

"Mom," Maria cried. She reached the kitchen, where her mother was standing on a chair.

"Ahh!" Lois cried. She started to fall.

Maria grabbed her from behind. Maria fell back and they both landed on the floor.

"Oh my," Lois cried. She got off Maria. After a moment they both caught their breaths.

"I was going to get some noodles for dinner tonight," said Lois. "We were going to have spaghetti." She looked at Maria. "Thank you, Snugglebear," she said, and hugged her. "I think we'll have takeout instead." Lois went off to use the phone.

Maria went to her room. I can't believe that happened, she thought. She closed the door. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't been there.

Maria felt anxious. What's happening to me? Am I really seeing the future? She threw herself onto her bed. Is something happening to my head? Is that something going to mess me up? Am I having a stroke or something? In that movie that guy got the ability to see the future after he had an accident. He hit his head but I didn't. Did I? Maybe I did and I don't remember.

Maria sat up. It's possible. After all, I'm seeing the future.

She looked around and took a deep breath. I can't believe this is happening to me.

"Hey, the food's here," called Lois. Maria got up and went downstairs.

She came to the table and sat down. She looked at the food.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" asked Lois. She brought a forkful of food to her mouth.

Maria thought for a moment. What would she do if she knew? she wondered. She felt afraid. "Nothing," she said. She ate to look occupied. What am I going to do? Not tell her? Is that the right thing to do?

Without thinking, she sighed. Her mother did not seem to notice. They continued eating.

Maria went into her room later that night. "Good night, sweetie," called Lois.

"Good night, Mom," said Maria. She got underneath her covers.

Lights throughout the house were turned off. Maria prepared to go to sleep. After much tossing and turning, she finally started to doze off.

Maria woke up the next morning and went about her usual routine. She tried not to think too much. At least nothing went through my mind except some dream about butterflies, she thought.

She put on her shirt and was reaching for a light coat when it happened again.

The teacher, Mr. Brender, got up before the class. "Now, students, I know that this is not our scheduled topic, but I found this fascinating article about Theodore Roosevelt last night in a magazine I was reading," he said. He held up a copy of the article. September 13, 8:18 a.m.

She came out of it. Oh no, Maria thought.

"Maria, time to get going," called Lois.

Maria arrived at the school minutes later. Is this how it's going to be from now on? she wondered. She waved at Cindy as she passed her. Some people might think this was cool if it were happening to them, but I don't know what is happening to me.

Maria got to her first class, history. This could be only the beginning, she thought. This could be the symptom of some disease. Is something happening to me now? She felt dread.

Mr. Brender came in carrying his suitcase. Maria looked at it with apprehension, not knowing whether she wanted what she had seen to happen or not. "Now, students, I know this is not our scheduled topic, but I found this fascinating article about Theodore Roosevelt last night in a magazine I was reading," he said. He held up a copy of the article.

Maria sighed, still not sure what to feel.

Later, Maria entered the cafeteria with her pack lunch in hand. She passed a brown-haired girl. "Hi, Kate," Maria said.

"Hi," Kate said.

Maria was about to sit down but then got an idea. Maybe I can look up some more stuff and see if I can figure anything out this time. She left the cafeteria with her lunch.

Moments later, Maria was in the computer lab doing an Internet search on seeing the future.

Minutes later, she sighed. There's nothing new here since the last time, she thought. At least there's nothing here about people getting sick from being psychic. Psychic? Is that what I am? Is there something different about me?

Maria looked at the clock on the wall and rubbed her eyes. I better get my lunch now, she thought.

She went over to a table and began to eat her lunch. As she ate, she began to feel a bit better. Maybe it's not that bad. I mean, it's not like anyone talks about a psychic flu going around.

Sometime later, Maria got home. "How was school, honey?" Lois asked.

"Fine," Maria answered. She went upstairs.

Maria threw herself onto her bed. She buried her face in her pillow. It could all just be nothing, she thought. So I saw some things. I see fine now. I don't have a stomachache. I feel fine.

Maria rolled onto her back. She let out a breath and felt her fear leave her.

"So, Mom, how was work today?" Maria asked. They were having dinner.

"It was fine, sweetie," answered Lois. She poked at her food. "Sales are good. People in some areas are talking about raises. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to have to travel again. I won't be home when you get done with school today."

"Too bad," said Maria. She looked at her food. Maybe things won't be that different, she thought. I'm still talking with my mom. Still going to school. Still studying, reading, hanging out with Mom. I'm still doing everything I did before, only now something's different. She ate her meal.

A few hours later, Maria got into bed. I think I can make this work, she thought. She soon went to sleep.

Maria walked down a long hallway. It was dark, and though she reached out to her sides, she didn't touch anything. She looked around but could not see anything except something in the distance. She could not make it out, but she went toward it. She kept going to whatever it was. As she got closer, she began to hear things. She could not make them out at first. As she continued to walk, she began to make them out. She heard animal sounds that she recognized from nature shows. There were sounds made by big cats.

She went on and the sounds stopped. She was reaching the end of the hall.

Maria heard sounds overhead, but when she looked up, she could not see anything. She looked around again and finally saw dim shadows of people. They were standing off to her sides.

For some reason she continued to walk. She reached the end of the hall and saw a door. Maria reached out and opened it.

Behind it was a blinding white light that flooded the dark hall. Maria covered her eyes with one hand.

Eventually her eyes adjusted and she saw what was before her. It was a girl about her age wearing a hooded cloak. Maria realized then that she was wearing one just like it.

The girl before her looked just like her but seemed to have an intangible quality that made her seem like a vastly different person.

Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder and she turned around to see who it was.

Maria woke up from her dream with a start. She lay there for a moment. What a dream, she thought. I wonder if it has anything to do with the stuff I've been going through.

She looked at her watch and realized that it was almost time to wake up. She got out of bed and did her morning ritual.

As she was putting her shirt on, it happened again. She had a vision.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Taking up the Chaseby William A. Hillman Jr. Copyright © 2011 by William A. Hillman Jr.. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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