In the Shadow of Midnight

By Willow Love

What happens when a young new Christian woman has to make the difficult choice on how to escape from her tormentor and the choice is mingled with intrigue?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490875989

Willow Love

Willow Love continues the story of the Zeiglar group seeking their “promised land” in this book. Willow has used the names and temperament of the real animals who lived through the flood of her home in 2010. Leo, Rhianna, Rio, and Lilly are just as they were written. Willow’s daughter has looked forward to this story being published and has drawn courage and laughter from the story. Willow hopes for her readers to understand this is pure fantasy and a way to retell biblical stories.

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Copyright © 2015 Willow Love.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, things and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-7597-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7599-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7598-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015905498

WestBow Press rev. date: 4/28/2015

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

L ANA HAD BEEN THROUGH A nightmare experience, her own soul stirring terror! She had to make a change, but she was trapped working for a demanding persona. There was only do one thing she could …run away! Lana ran scared of her past, her present, and her possible future.

Lana was nothing more than a tormented creature; who hoped to find time to heal, and her own way. Lana had to deal with a dark secret. She knew she had to find a way to pull her feelings back into perspective! Instead…Lana found trouble. Lana found herself confused, tormented, bullied, and taunted by a large obstacle in her new life.

One strong, and arrogant

Wayne Andres!!

CHAPTER 1

I T WAS A COLD NIGHT with a full moon that brought back nothing, but memories; both good and bad for Lana Carter. This night was like the one of her birth; a night she’d grown up hating…Halloween! This night with its silence and fog reminded her of her childhood taunts she had put up with.

You are a witch! An ugly old witch were the words that were chanted by the neighborhood children and they spilt over into her heart and mind while she drove through the streets of London!

Cruel words were echoed by her so called friends and her stepfather. These things had made Lana quiet and withdrawn. She winced a little at the thought of how she had been forced into the life she was leading. Lana prayed for support and help, but knew at this point in time she did not have the strength or ability to stop her way of life…at least not alone!

Silently Lana prayed, Dear Lord Jesus please help me! Let it be as it is written in the Bible:’ if I walk into trouble, you will keep my life safe. You will put your hand against the anger of those who hate me. And your right hand will save me. ‘Psalm 138: 7. Please Lord Jesus, be with me. Help me through this nightmare I find myself trapped within. Amen

Lana frowned as the unwanted and stagnate image of Barry came into her mind. She shook her head trying without success to clear it. Yet his image persisted.

Barry Whitehouse, Lana’s attorney and self-proclaimed boyfriend, had never taunted her the way the children had. There were times he baffled her, confused her, and flattered her. Lana could not figure him out. After Barry became her attorney and counselled her on a few things; he began to harass her to marry him. Lana had doubts about his real motives behind his help. Lana had begun to speak with another attorney in case something became a problem she could not handle.

Barry had informed Lana that he was against her leaving London. He believed she should stay, ride the trouble out, and let him handle everything by becoming his wife. The idea of marriage was a recent suggestion and she was not sure how to handle it. Lana knew she liked Barry, but her feelings for any man was something beneath contempt.

In Lana’s tormented mind Barry was no real threat. He was nothing more than a friend from her childhood. She frowned knowing what she had to tell Barry would not go over well. She could not in all honesty marry him. Lana knew she did not love him and she wasn’t sure if she could ever love any man.

As she turned her old station wagon into the theater parking lot, Lana stopped thinking about anything outside her job. Unfortunately, she realized she would see Barry sooner than later. As she continued to check her prim appearance in her car mirror; her dark eyes glittered angrily back at her from behind her dark, unfashionable glasses. Lana asked the Lord for forgiveness, because she could not hide her hatred of men!

Dear Lord, I understand Your word states ‘for every time there is a season a time to love and a time to hate ‘Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 8, but I also understand that You spoke against hatred… with 1 John 4: 7’ Love one another.’ Help me through this time of trial, help me overcome my hatred; help me conquer it in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Lana frowned; for she used her hatred to get rid of any unwanted man trouble and it worked well. She smiled with the idea her appearance was a great deterrent to most men. Her dead step father had created the cold creature staring into a car’s front mirror. Lana has to be a prim and proper creature. she whispered. She shook her head at her confused thoughts.

Lana sighed in resignation. She knew this was not the time for a self- evaluation. She pushed her body out of the station wagon. She knew there was a show her employer had to put on. Lana’s job had to be completed long before the stage production ever started. Lana was worn out by the hideous events of the past several days.

Barry stood in the shadows of the theater watching Lana untying the covered coffin attached to the carry all rack of the station wagon. He had never understood her desire to work for someone like the popular singer. His quiet, feminine voice startled her when he spoke.

Lana, you should not be working at all! his voice was firm and completely brotherly. Looking up into his feminine appearing face, she smiled confidently at him.

Barry, you, of all people, should understand I could not up and leave my boss in such a fix; especially when she is relying on my help. She consoled him, The outcome of the show is dependent on me and I do feel better working!

Barry points up at the uncovered coffin. Does the singing star actually use that hideous thing? he asked in mute horror. Lana nodded.

Now, Barry, you know full well that the boss is always in the coffin until after nightfall, like vampires of old. Lana states calmly, She is unusual after all.

Barry smiled, this was the same Lana he had known for most of his life. He liked her, but could not help remembering her step father’s cruelty. He was more than slightly worried about the effects Alton, her step father, had on Lana in restricting the girl the way he had.

Barry silently thought about all the cruelty Alton had provided Lana with.

Alton had never allowed Lana to wear a dress that did not cover all of her legs. Lana was never allowed to wear any colors except grey or off white. Lana was not allowed to wear her hair down.

Alton had stated for someone as plain or proper like Lana; her hair must be worn in a bun. Lana had to keep her nails clean and a certain length. He even refused to allow Lana to listen to any type of music or go to any function held by the high school.

Alton restricted Lana from having friends over to their home. Lana was treated more like a servant girl than a step-daughter. Alton refused to get his own hands dirty by helping to do house work; so that was assigned to Lana. Alton informed Lana of her uselessness by saying, things like: "plain girls need to know how to clean house.

Time and time again; Alton had stated, Someone as ugly as you are should never be seen at parties. He used crueler words when he reprimanded Lana.

Now Lana had such a cool reserve; that her own behavior made sure no one dare to bother with her. Lana had been cast for so long in the role of ugly, unwanted child; that she became locked into that role. The problem was Lana did not seem to mind being plain any more. Lana stared at the theater where Midnight’s last show, (of the season), in England was to be given."

Oh my beloved England, how I will miss you and your foggy streets! she whispered and yet soft memories of London echoed within her heart.

Again her mind thought back to the night when an old school teacher hired Lana to clean her house. The teacher had allowed Lana to watch a revival on the television with her. Until that moment Lana had been very sure of her choices in life.

Yes, until that night, Lana remembered, I was sure about what I was doing.

But that night Lana’s heart was pierced with the realization that Jesus had died for her. She talked with the teacher for almost thirty minutes learning the scriptures teaching of salvation. It wasn’t easy to learn she was doing things wrong. Lana accepted Christ into her heart that night.

The teacher had Lana return several times to make sure she understood the scriptures and help her grow in the light of God’s word. The teacher had been nice enough to purchase a Bible for Lana. All of that seemed so long ago, but in reality it had only been a few months back.

A marching noise brought Lana’s mind back to the present. From beside Barry came six husky men in security uniforms. She knew the men had been hired by her boss’s manager. They approached her in an almost military manner.

Good evening, Miss Carter, the tallest one stated politely, we are here to help by carrying the coffin inside the theater for you. Will you allow us to do so?

Lana nodded while she placed the chains and cover into the arms of one of the guards. Please be careful. She begged, but understood it was not at all necessary. The men had been hired not just because of their strength…but for their responsibility. She knew they would be conscientious and careful with the coffin.

She followed the men inside the theater. She watched while the men placed the coffin inside the star’s dressing room. Two of the men would stand guard on either side of the dressing room’s door. She understood the singer would occupy the room alone much later.

Carl Windom, Lana’s boss’s manager was waiting for her inside the theater. He was waiting for Lana to go over the stage background for him. Things had to check out to Lana’s satisfaction. Carl had come out of obscurity to become known as a middle aged wizard with the rise of his newest protégée. The entertainment station stated that he seemed to understand exactly what to do when caught in a tight spot. He personally thought that Lana and Midnight’s unusual friendship was a charity sort of thing on the singer’s behalf.

Carl often found himself wondering why a rising, gorgeous, singing star would want such a proper friend like Lana around her. These two women were so different in all respects that he wondered if they ever quarreled. Then Carl remembers that if it wasn’t for Lana he would have never discovered the singer.

In that I’m really lucky. Lana chose me to be the one promoting the great and wonderful Midnight. Carl speculated mentally about what Midnight did when not on stage. Well, at least I recognize that Lana is a dependable sort of person and accurate in everything pertaining to the star. He thought silently, and that is all that matters.

It was not until everything on the dark stage had been set up properly and all the star’s demands had been met that Lana disappeared into the star’s dressing room. She had work to do. She looked around the immediately locked dressing room to make sure things the star needed were indeed there and they were. She understood the door was locked to prevent unauthorized entry by any doting fans. Lana knelt down upon the dressing room’s floor and prayed.

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today to ask Your protection upon my boss, The Great Midnight. Lord, as it is stated in Joshua 1:9’ Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord Your God is with you anywhere you go. ‘She whispered, Thank You, Lord for giving me the courage to step out in faith and do what is necessary for my survival. Lord, please help me in making the changes necessary in my life. I pray I have made the right choice. Amen."

Less than an hour later and the theater was packed to the brim with rich business men from various parts of the world. The price of the tickets for this event were ridiculous. The front row seats had been sold for over a thousand dollars apiece. The group of wealthy men had already enjoyed banquet or brawl together and were ready for entertainment. These extra security guards understood they had been chosen to not protect the star, but stop any fights or bad behaviors.

Carl had been the one to hire the extra security. He did not want the crowd to get out of hand. He had to keep things safe, for Midnight. She was widely known and sought after, because of her dynamic appeal. He knew a ridiculously expensive raffle had been held to allow one of the men the chance to go up on stage and present a blood red garter to the elusive star. All of the proceeds from this show were going to the star’s chosen charity.

As he took his seat in the theater, Barry smiled kingly. He thought he alone knew exactly what his friend, Lana was. He was sure that Lana had never been totally exposed to the world of passion. Oh, he knew he did not love her, but that did not matter. Barry wanted Lana for his own. Barry was ridiculously sure Lana was something most men never got a chance to possess. He was totally sure she was a volatile innocent.

I realize as a person, she is that combination, he mused, and soon she will be all mine! Barry thought momentarily about Lana’s longtime friend and boss, Midnight. He never could figure out the two’s friendship, save for the fact Lana was responsible for The Great Midnight becoming the upward spiraling starlet.

Barry did not care for the gorgeous singer, because he felt like the star could see right through his pretense of love for Lana. He was afraid the glamorous star spoke against him to Lana. Barry shivered recalling Lana; as she was at the moment a prim, proud young woman.

No one seemed to be able to identify how Lana and Midnight had met. There were rumors that Lana was nothing outside a charity project for the star. Lana had become the star’s right hand person or helper in the guise of being the star’s maid at first.

Alton would have never allowed Lana to work for the great lady as anything. Luckily he had not known about Lana working for the star. Alton thought the girl worked for a maid service company in town.

But Lana needed an escape and working for the singer was that escape. Alton loved having Lana out of the house in the evening. Alton made Lana give him a portion of her earnings. Lana sighed thankfully, because Alton thought she was working for minimum wage. Alton enjoyed having the house to himself or time with Lana’s mom.

Alton had no knowledge of Lana helping out the singing star by being Midnight’s assistant. The fact was that Alton believed Lana was doing housekeeping for a friend. That’s the one thing the stupid girl is good for. Alton remarked often.

Through a friend in the talent industry; Lana had arranged for Carl Windom to meet with and audition the unknown singer. Since the beginning of her stardom; Midnight never appeared on stage without Lana’s approval of how the stage was designed, the choice of musical arrangements, or where the star would agree to perform.

Lana was the one who was responsible for taking all the safety precautions and making sure no one ever discovered where the star stayed. Lana refused to give out anything on the star’s private life to the press.

Lana had risen up out of obscurity into a relatively decent job that provided her with financial security if nothing else. Lana, who was plain, cold and prim; was the world’s link to its newest singer and beauty…the great Midnight. Lana frowned while looking at the star’s newest poster.

Although Lana never spoke publicly against her employer; her private thoughts ran the gamut with undertones of jealousy, hatred, anger, and slander. Lana deviated between pure hatred for the star to unintentional admiration. Lana never allowed her feelings to interfere with the stage productions, music recordings, television appearances or the star’s wellbeing. She shivered involuntarily.

Lana did indeed fear the mass of adoring fans at times for they could become so rowdy and determined to touch the star, to get her autograph, or take a picture of her…it made things uncomfortable for both Lana and the star. Since Lana was responsible for the star’s safety; she alone had the job of taking care of both the star and her well recognized coffin.

Lana had walked back out to the stage curtain where she glanced across the theater to see Barry in his usual seat. She knew that soon the place would be packed. She shrugged, turned and headed back for the dressing room. Lana could not wait for the night to be over and with it everything else.

Lana was so tired, so bitterly tired. She sighed with the realization no one outside of Barry understood what she had gone through. She did not bother to speak to Carl; she walked right past him. Lana knew that she was totally unimportant to the man, who had helped the great Midnight up the ladder to stardom.

Carl quietly surveyed the work done by the men on the set. He knew that Lana had personally supervised the work. The stage was elaborate, beautiful, dark, and yet deadly appearing. The stage had been done in shades of red and black with wisps of spider webs and blood red roses.

Well, all that is missing is an old fashion horror movie. He murmured, but he knew the audience ate it up.

For some unknown reason the more hideous the background was; the more beautiful the star appeared. Carl thought back to the made for television music video Midnight had recently done. Lana had created a backdrop of an elaborate haunted house with a run-down cemetery in front.

Computer graphics of ghosts and bats had been chosen to run behind the star. The scenes colors were grey, black, and white; while the star stood dressed in solid blood red. As he walked over to his seat; Carl whispered, The video was magnificent and frightening at the same time. He smiled then.

It was at the top of the charts for weeks, he remembered, made us both very rich."

It was time for the show to begin and the theater was overcrowded with rich, successful businessmen and a few millionaires from England and America. The crowd was a bit loud with cat calls and wolf whistles for the female band that was on stage warming up. The house lights dimmed