Running from the Mark

By DeAnna Kinney

After her mother is taken during a Biblical event some refer to as the Rapture, Ellie Brody, along with Gabe and Jesse, find themselves facing unspeakable horrors; famine, plagues, natural disasters, and worse have been foretold to follow. Armed with the knowledge and supplies they need, the three set out on a dangerous hunt to find a secret camp that promises them both safety and provision. In the security of the camp, they can ride out the coming terrors in what the Bible calls the Tribulation.
After days on the run, Gabe and Jesse are captured by an enemy with unspeakable power, leaving the scared and heartbroken Ellie no choice but to push on toward her destination alone. As trial after trial bombard the young woman, will she have what it takes to survive? And if so, will she be able to recruit her own forces to fight for her cause and rescue the ones she loves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kinney Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201126575

DeAnna Kinney

DeAnna Kinney is the author of the successful Charity Series, a Young-Adult Paranormal series with a twist. She is also the author of New Adult and Adult Romance, Action Adventure, and Children's books. She considers herself as fun-loving and a bit peculiar. Besides writing, she loves reading, all things purple, Star Wars, acting like a goofball, and dancing while she cooks (she can see her kids rolling their eyes as we speak). She believes whole-heartedly that chocolates and a good book go hand in hand. And, having experienced it herself, believes utterly in the power of true love. She lives in the lovely North Carolina with her husband, four kids, a black lab named Lincoln Six Echo, or just Link, who thinks he's a human, and a bunny named Lula Bell who thinks she owns the world.

Book preview

Running from the Mark

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DeAnna Kinney

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Copyright © 2018 by DeAnna Kinney

ISBN-13: 978-1497488038

ISBN-10: 1497488036

Published by Kinney Publishing

Editing by Dandria Young Bradley

Cover Design by COVER ME- Book Covers

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the owner.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, places, or actual events are purely coincidental.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture verses are World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain.

All images are courtesy of Pixabay.com and are free for commercial use.

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More Books by DeAnna Kinney:

The Charity Series:

Charity Moon (Charity Series Book 1)

Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2)

Raven’s Rose (Charity Series Book 3)

Charity’s Storm (Charity Series Book 4)

Charity Rain (Charity Series Book 5) The Drake Triplets

Charity’s Light (Charity Series Book 6) Anora’s Story

Charity: A New Beginning (Charity Series Book 7)

A Charity Christmas Novella

The Cross Series:

Calico Cross (Cross Series Book 1)

Tender Crossing (Cross Series Book 2)

Double Crossed (Cross Series Book 3)

The Lavender Series:

Loving Lily Lavender (Lavender Series, # 1)

Leaving a Lavender Legacy (Lavender Series, #2)

The Dream Siren Series:

Emerald Moon (Dream Siren Series, # 1)

Dream Siren (Dream Siren Series, # 2)

Stand Alones:

Exposing Kitty Langley

Box of Gaza

My Forever June

Jewels of Sanctum

Christmas at Clove Cottage

Rumor’s Out!

Saving My Rock Star

I was a Fairly Hairy, Slightly Scary, PINK Werewolf

Children’s Books:

Sammy the Sea Cow Makes a New Friend (Sammy, Book 1)

Sammy the Sea Cow Learns a Valuable Lesson (Sammy, Book 2)

Sammy the Sea Cow Loses His Way (Sammy, Book 3)

A Note from the Author

This story has been a long time in the making. I first had the idea 17 years ago. And, although much of the story has changed from then to now, the basic bones of the story have remained intact.

If you are fans of my previous work, then you will see right away that this is unlike the other books I have written. Most recognizable is the strong Christian element this story contains. I do not apologize for this. You see, the truth is I am a Jesus Freak and proud of it. It was quite a treat to be able to write freely about my faith without worrying that I might offend a reader.

So be warned. If you get offended by faith elements, this may not be a story suitable for you. But please feel free to check out some of my other works.

And, as always, if you enjoy this story, please consider leaving a review at the retailer you received your copy from. I love to hear the thoughts of my readers.

Thank you.

Matthew 24:36

But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Prologue

R

unning! I just had to keep running.  My legs were shaking with exhaustion, my lungs burning with the air I forced into them, but I couldn’t stop... I wouldn’t. To stop would be the end of me—the end of us. I ran with a speed I never even knew I possessed. It was as if my feet had wings beneath them, ushering me to a destination I had yet to discover.

I ducked and dodged through and around the numerous thick trees and their long, wrinkly branches, never looking behind me. To look back would only add to the terror I was already consuming me. My heart was racing to the point of explosion, and yet, I dared not stop. It was up to me now. Everything depended on my escape—my life—and his.

To even think his name brought new tears flooding into my eyes. They stung, as my heart stung, but I swiped at them, almost angrily, but never slowing my pace. Gabe needed me to make it, and I would not fail him. That thought alone pushed me forward, never stopping.

Never stopping.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

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Chapter One

"E

llie, hurry!" Gabe called to me from the living room. I could hear the panic in his voice, though he was trying so hard to tame it.

I’m coming! I yelled back as I rummaged through my drawer. Oh, where are you? I whispered, desperate to find it. I slammed the drawer shut and jerked open another drawer, shoving my hand under the clothes, searching. I breathed a sigh of relief when my fingers brushed against the wooden frame. I pulled it out and gazed down at the old black and white picture of my mom and dad. It was my favorite picture of them. They were young and very happy. My mom was laughing; my dad was tickling her around the waist.

I wiped at a runaway tear as I forced a quick moment to study the old photo. I missed them both so much. My dad died of stomach cancer only five years ago, and three and a half years ago my mom left us in the Rapture.

The word ‘rapture’ as I’m referring to it, is not actually in the Bible. It’s a man-made word that refers to the event described in the Bible when the believers in Christ will be called up into the air to join Jesus in heaven. My mom had warned us many times that it was coming, but we didn’t listen to her. We smirked, and even laughed at times. We thought she was crazy. Boy, were we wrong, and now it was too late. We were left behind to face the horrors that followed.

We have to go now! Jesse barked, sticking his head into the room. My heart froze at my brother’s sharp gaze. His eyes were wide, revealing the fear from the situation we were now facing.

Without further delay, I shoved the picture into my backpack and followed him into the living room where my husband, Gabe was waiting.

Got everything? Gabe asked.

I nodded, swallowing my emotion and trying to focus on our current mission.

Okay, Gabe said, his tone controlled, let’s get out of here before it’s too late. Taking hold of my arm, he guided me through the dining room, out the door, and into the back yard.

Gabe opened the camper door and ushered Jesse and I inside. I sat my backpack under the table and took a seat at the booth.

I glanced down at my hands, noticing they were shaking. I rubbed them together, but it did little to help.

We’ll be fine, sis, Jesse said in a reassuring tone, placing his hand over mine for a brief moment.

I know. I offered a smile in return, but I felt he saw right through my words. He knew me more than anyone, even my husband.

For the past few years, he had been living with Gabe and me.

After Mom was taken, Gabe, Jesse and I felt it was safer for us to stay together.

When the realization hit us as to what had actually happened to her, and the rest of the world, all her stories and warnings came flooding back into our subconscious. All three of us instantly committed our hearts to Jesus, asking forgiveness