The Dim — Denise A. Agnew

Bobby Vega's little sister Sally is missing. She is #12. And what abducted her...wasn't human.When a local mute handyman, Joe White Eagle, is accused of being behind the disappearances of several children in the Pacific Northwest, Bobby Vega knows something is amiss and Detective John Redbird agrees. He can feel it in his bones Joe is innocent. Joe reveals the truth about where the children are, trapped in a shadowy realm called The Dim, an alternate world Joe barely escaped as a child. A world only children can enter. A word where monsters are real and children are their victims.To find his sister, Bobby must enter The Dim using a map left by Joe and navigate a deadly maze of doors and rooms that all lead to The Wiggle Man-the ruler of The Dim, who feeds on the souls of innocents. First, he must survive the terrifying entities that guard the rooms. Narrowly escaping with his life, Bobby frees the children from the Wiggle Man's domain, until Joe tells him hundreds more are still trapped deep inside and their time is running out.Bobby returns to The Dim with a handful of brave child warriors, but this time he has allies, both animal and human. Can they rescue the remaining children from a horrific fate, put an end to the Wiggle Man, and close the door between worlds, or will they be lost forever?Some doors should NEVER be opened.Marie D. Jones and Denise A. Agnew are authors with well over 75 published books of fiction and non-fiction between them, including several horror novellas written together based on their screenplays. They are produced screenwriters and many of their scripts have placed highly in major competitions. This is their first full-length novel together. Their websites are www.mariedjones.com and www.deniseagnew.com.From The DimIn the woods behind the house, flashlight beams waved in unison as dozens of volunteers and deputies moved in a grid search and rescue pattern. Two helicopters buzzed overhead, moving toward the woods with high beams sweeping back and forth, back and forth, trying to cover every possible inch of ground. Redbird watched as the dogs emerged from two dark vans. One was a rescue team, the other cadaver dogs. He prayed the cadaver dogs came back empty.Redbird worried if he closed his eyes, he would be transported back five years to another search of the woods, another child taken. He refused to close his eyes.A young deputy called to Redbird, snapping him out of his spell. Redbird followed the deputy into the suburban home and directly to the kitchen. Sheriff Robert Bob Kindlewood was already on scene. The overweight, older man nodded at Redbird, then turned back to a middle-aged man in his plaid pajamas, consoling his wife, who was dressed in her nightgown and robe. The woman sobbed, clinging to her husband.Redbird approached cautiously.Ma'am, I need you to tell me what happened. What you saw, or heard, he said, a mixture of compassion and wariness in his voice.The woman spoke between sobs. I check on him every night ... every night before I go to bed. How could I have missed something?Redbird didn't answer. A deputy tapped on his shoulder. We found no signs of a break-in, and his window was closed.Are you sure he isn't staying at a friend's house tonight?The woman wailed. Don't you think I'd remember that, you idiot? He's gone. He was in his bed at nine o'clock. I tucked him in, and now he's gone! She fell back into the comforting arms of her shell-shocked husband.Redbird felt his anger rising. He bit his tongue until he was sure he had drawn blood and took in a deep breath.We'll find your son, ma'am, Redbird said.The woman stopped crying and glared at him. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot.No, you won't. You haven't even found your own kid, she mumbled.