Many things led up to the pivotal decision I made that changed my life forever. The most important being isolation. The cult leaders (Simon and Marigold Blackwell in my novel) separated me from my family and friends by planting doubt and fear in my heart. They also chipped away at my confidence and self-worth, leaving me pliable in their hands to manipulate to their will. They set themselves up as authority figures in my life and although I tried to shake off the grip they had on me, they never gave up and ultimately conned me into joining them.

The following excerpt is from my novel, Eve’s Covering, where I describe the events leading up to my entry into their cult. It was after graduation and my friends were gone, having been torn from me. The cult leaders continued to push lies about my family until I was confused and broken. It was then that they made their move…

Excerpt from Eve’s Covering

“Without purpose, I wavered after graduation – like a sapling pine in a storm. I stared at my diploma displayed on my dresser. What next? I wondered. Without Devon to sustain my courage, I quickly succumbed to the whims of the people around me. I found myself drifting through the days waitressing at the inn and attending the Blackwell’s crusades in the evening.

One particularly hot night, I slouched in the back row of the rented hall chewing my lip – only partially paying attention. The service that had begun with singing, Marigold informed us, was about to transition to the unveiling.

A hush fell over the small crowd as we waited for the spiritual secrets to be revealed. “Unlocking the keys to the kingdom,” Simon proclaimed, “is done by creating a supernatural connection with God. Sometimes you may hear his voice audibly and directly. At other times he reveals secrets through his treasure map.” He lifted his Bible high overhead. “Using prophets – such as myself – to decipher the map, he takes you all to the next spiritual plain.”

The audience murmured their agreement. Mom shouted from the front row. “Halleluiah!”

Simon paced back and forth, a few quick steps to the right, then left, and back again. “I want to challenge you,” he said pointing to the crowd, “to seek after the kingdom of God above all else.” It was then that he looked at Loyal. “No more backsliding!” Then on to dad. “If you stay on the same spiritual plain for more than three days the devil has won. You will have missed God’s plan for your life.”

A hand raised in the middle of the congregation. “Amen!”

Simon bowed his head and paused, lifting his hand toward the ceiling. “Razmik, bring your friend, Otis, forward.”

Razmik stood from his chair in the corner, positioned so he could see the stage, audience, and the exits. The sleeves of his white oxford were rolled up, revealing his oversized biceps. His bald head glistened with sweat. He strode over to the front and offered an arm to the gnarled old captain whose right foot was stuffed into a tattered slipper. The old man groaned and struggled to his feet, before taking a few trembling steps to the stage.

Simon placed his hand on the captain’s head as a string of strange words left his lips – a language that only God could understand, he said. He paused and the electricity in the air tingled. “Stand on your right foot, Otis. You are healed!”

The old man gasped in surprise. He threw up his arms and danced a jig. “Praise God,” he whooped. “I’m healed!” The room filled with cries of praise as Otis danced his way back to his chair. Simon continued laying hands on everyone who came forward. He healed a headache, shattered a kidney stone, and straightened a back. Mom cried into her handkerchief after the terrible pain in her side went away.

 “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Simon addressed his audience in a prophetic, trancelike state. “Thus, sayeth the Lord… You will either serve money or God. You will love one – and hate the other. Which will it be?”

He took a deep breath. “You must first give, before you can receive from God. Prosperity is yours – if you so choose. The Lord has directed me to challenge you tonight. He asks you to trust Him – give him your all! Give till it hurts and see his power flood into your life.”

Someone sneezed and Simon paused. When he continued, his voice was quiet, compelling.  “I promise you… if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed you will be blessed and have all your needs met – tenfold! And if you believe hard enough – you will receive prosperity beyond measure.”

He searched the crowd with his liquid black eyes, then passed the offering plate slowly, so that it hesitated for a few seconds before each person. “God gave me a number – five hundred and eighty-three dollars will bring God’s blessings down tonight. Otherwise, if you wallow in your selfishness, denying God his portion… you will only bring God’s curses upon you and your loved ones.”

It was nine o’clock before Marigold took the front again. She quickly created an awe; one hand high over her head, the other held out before her. Her eyes were closed, yet she wandered around the room, delivering prophecies. I shuddered as she walked past, a feeling of dread attaching itself to me like a strange groping succulent. I began feeling nauseous and stood up to leave.

Marigold stopped and turned slowly to face me. “Thus, sayeth the Lord,” she whispered, touching the fire-hot tips of her fingers to my forehead. “The end of days is drawing near, and you shall be judged.” She inhaled sharply. “Decide today how you will prepare your soul.” Her face contorted and then relaxed. “Prove your commitment to Me, your God, Eve. Make the sacrifice. Make things right.”

Her words pierced my heart like an arrow, and I covered my face with my hands. Tears of grief and anger slid down my cheeks.

Sacrifice? He took Cal – and Devon – from me. I thought, clenching my fists. What more could God want?

“Broad is the way that leads to indulgence and ruin,” Marigold continued. “Narrow is the way that leads to service and righteousness. Be warned, Eve. Destruction awaits you if you choose the wrong path… Someone is waiting for you – to destroy you – if you choose the college path. God is calling you to do something more important with your life.”

Marigold paused and Simon’s voice rumbled over my head, and I sat down hard- dazed. I tried to process what Marigold had said, but my mind spun. I dropped my head into my hands in despair and confusion.

***

I refused to stay and talk to anyone when the meeting was finally over. I drove myself home in the Pinto I had bought that morning to take to college in the fall. Yes, I had finally decided that was my way out – away from the Blackwells. With the radio blaring, I found a morbid sense of peace wallowing alone in my sorrow. I would not listen to the words Marigold had spoken to me tonight. In two months, I’d be off to college on a scholarship. I doubted if I’d ever return.”

On the Road

I had always wanted to go to college and become a writer, and I fought to keep that dream. I sent out applications and was accepted at several respectable institutions. I even visited a few campuses. In the end, however, the overpowering presence and influence of the Blackwells won.

Instead of following my dream, I packed my bags and went on the road with them as their nanny. The plan was to tour the U.S. and Canada with a month-long stay in Jamaica. We would hold crusades and turn as many people as possible into followers. Of course, this turned out to be a disaster. By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late. In fear of my life, I fled, roaming the streets, homeless and friendless. It would take a miracle to put the obliterated pieces of my life and heart back together. But God is a worker of miracles…

Follow my story in Eve’s Covering and discover the miracle.

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