Escape from the Dark Voyage

By Shelly M. Morton

Evil-why is there evil in the world, where does it come from, and is there a way to overcome it?

Why is there evil in the world? Where does evil come from? Is there a reason evil exists? Is there a way to overcome evil? If so, how? My prayer is that upon reading Escape from the Dark Voyage, you will gain some understanding an

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887381589

Shelly M. Morton

Shelly writes from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband, Larry, and their dogs, Buddy and Bear. She has a daughter, a son-in-law, and one grandchild. She also has a bonus daughter, two bonus grandchildren, and two bonus great-grandchildren. She regularly writes for her home organizing website www.straighten-up-now.com, providing home organizing tips on a variety of subjects. She is an accomplished artist and craftsperson. Her husband, Larry, is also a published author and writes for his website www.4-the-love-of-jeeps.com.

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ESCAPE FROM THE DARK VOYAGE

A Christian Fiction Novel

By Shelly M. Morton

Escape from the Dark Voyage

Trilogy Christian Publishers A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2022 by Shelly M. Morton

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Cover design by: Torrie Cooney

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 979-8-88738-157-2

E-ISBN: 979-8-88738-158-9

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the glory of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who saved me from my many sins, and to the Holy Spirit for His inspiration. May His love, mercy, and grace be forever proclaimed, amen!

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, for saving me from my sins and for the gifts and talents He has deposited within me. I am honored to be His writing tool.

I cannot thank my husband, Larry Morton, enough for his unwavering support and encouragement while I wrote this book. Your love and devotion are priceless. You’ve been my champion, my soul mate, and my dance partner for many years. I’m a better person for having you as my husband.

In loving memory, I would also like to thank my former parish priest Fr. H. Jay Atwood for the many hours he spent helping me through difficult times and encouraging me to use my spiritual gifts. Our family is forever grateful to you. You were called home and are receiving your just reward. You are greatly missed!

Thanks also to Kathy Atwood for your dedication to our church. Your biblical knowledge is amazing. Thank you for encouraging me to write. You are a blessing to us all.

Thanks also to Fr. Sam and Katy Wilgus and their beautiful family for reviving our hearts and our church.

I am grateful to those of you who were kind enough to read the book as a work in progress. I appreciate your feedback and spelling, punctuation, grammar, and technical corrections: in loving memory, my mother, Felicia Ashley; my husband, Larry Morton; Julia Smith and Al Smith of St. Francis Anglican Church; and my daughter, Jenifer Livesey. Additional thanks to Jenifer for providing her expertise in the professional photos she provided for marketing purposes.

Thanks also to the incredible team at Trilogy Publishing for their expertise, assistance, and support.

Last but certainly not least, thanks also go to Torrie Cooney, graphic artist. You took my pitiful sketch and turned it into an eye-popping graphic cover.

Most of all, I thank all of you for purchasing and reading this book. I appreciate your willingness to take a chance on an unknown author.

Gratefully,

Shelly Morton

Preface

Evil. Have you ever asked yourself why there is evil in the world? Have you ever wondered where evil comes from or pondered if there is a reason why evil exists? Have you ever questioned if there is a way to overcome evil in the world? Have you ever been concerned about why you do things that are wrong or wondered what your role in history is?

It is my hope that Escape from the Dark Voyage will provide some insights into these questions from a Christian biblical perspective in the form of an entertaining fictional story. There really is only one way to escape the dark voyage of sin.

My prayer is that you will be intrigued by the concept of evil personified by the fleet of black ships and their charismatic crew of fallen angels. I pray you will engage with the characters and see yourself in one or more of them. I pray that Jesus will send His Holy Spirit to enable you to search your heart to see if there is any wicked way in you and help you smash any idols found there.

Proverbs 3:5 (NOAB), Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.

If only one person who reads this book decides to trust in Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior, then I will consider this book a whopping success.

May the blessings of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you this day and forever more. Amen!

Gratefully,

Shelly Morton

Chapter 1: The Dark Ship

As the ship pulled into the harbor, Seaman observed the sleek vessel as it skimmed the water. It slowly maneuvered to pull alongside the dock. The ship appeared ancient, elegant, and well maintained; it was ancient. These ships and all others like her had been plying the waters of the world from the beginning of time.

The sleek design of these ships was not conducive to extended ocean voyages; they were only able to hug the shoreline. A fleet of these dark ships was prowling the waters of every country in the world, ever ready to dock at a moment’s notice and extend the invitation to come aboard for a visit or to join the crew.

Like many ancient crafts of similar design, the ship was powered by great effort: humans ceaselessly straining at the oars. No one seemed to give a second thought regarding the method of propulsion or the conditions below deck. No one considered the plight of the humans needed to keep these magnificent ships on the water. When asked, most people assumed that the humans below deck were specially trained operatives who were privileged to be there. Others callously assumed that they were hardened, dangerous criminals who justly deserved their fate and never gave a thought to possible inhumane treatment.

Most people care more about their dog than what happens to the people aboard these ships, Seaman grumbled to himself.

Seaman continued to observe the ship; its ebony black planks shined with highly polished lacquer, the gleaming ivory oars sporting gold trim protruding out of the hull. The ship’s sleek lines and elegant gold trim were a thing of beauty. Its trim hull design sliced the water cleanly and silently. The only audible sounds were the creaking of the oars as they swept up, back, and down…up, back, and down…up, back, and down in a ceaseless rhythmic cycle and the occasional quiet splash as the oars met the water.

Seaman recalled how all ships in this fleet had one main agenda, but each ship and each captain and crew commanded an individual, secret protocol. Each protocol promoted the main agenda of the fleet. These secret protocols were heavily guarded and were completely unknown to the casual observers from shore. They were never revealed to those who were graciously invited aboard, that is, until it was too late.

As the ship maneuvered a slow turn, the inlaid jewels shimmered and shined as the ship turned in the sunlight. This ship was designed to impress, and to those who had no knowledge and whose eyes could not see beyond the exterior, it was impressive indeed.

Seaman recalled the first time he had seen a ship like this one when he was a young man. He recalled how in awe he had felt just watching it. He knew it was an expensive craft. The ebony planks, the gilding, the ivory, and the jewels that encrust the ship were priceless. He knew that such a vessel demanded an elite crew to run it effectively. He recalled how privileged he felt to be invited aboard. He remembered how his heart swelled with pride as the captain personally invited him to join the crew. His head was swimming with happiness to be singled out in such a wonderful way. It was a singular honor, or so he thought at the time, but that was long ago. He wondered why he had never asked about the fleet, its operation, or who ran the organization that funded these vessels. He never thought of any questions, for that matter.

I was such a dope, he sighed.

Seaman was brought out of his reverie as a breeze gently caressed his face, carrying with it a familiar smell. It hit him all at once…the vile stench; he nearly vomited. He had forgotten this unholy smell. There were no words to describe it. The smell wrenched his mind back to the time before as he now referred to that period of his life. The sheer awfulness of it, along with the pain and humiliation, made him feel like his heart was sinking into the pit of his stomach. That was decades ago, but he recalled it only too clearly as if it were yesterday. Smells have a funny way of making you recall things you wish you could forget.

How? he asked himself. How and why did it take so long for me to understand?

It was a question he’d asked himself repeatedly; he’d never understood why he had stayed so long.

Pull it together, man! Remember who you are and what you are here to do, he scolded himself.

Seaman pulled himself up tall, adjusted his clothing, and prepared to board the vessel as soon as it docked. He patted his jacket pocket to make sure the envelope and papers were securely there.

As the ship glided gently toward the pier, the ivory and gold oars were raised in unison in a snappy fashion just in time to avoid striking the dock, an elegant and impressive move. The above deck crew, all handsome men and women standing at rigid attention in their brilliant white uniforms, gold buttons, and braid gleaming in the sunlight, were smartly holding a salute. Bystanders on the dock began whooping and clapping at the impressive display of seamanship.

Don’t you smell that? Seaman asked the woman standing next to him.

Smell what? she replied as she and her children stood smiling and waving to the crew.

That horrible stench coming from the ship, Seaman said with disgust as bile rose in his throat. He could hardly believe neither the woman nor her children were reacting to the smell.

Oh, that! That’s not the ship; it’s this area. It always smells a little funny, said the woman. I think it’s the seaweed or something, she remarked as she cajoled her children through the crowd to get a better glimpse of the impressive captain and crew.

"A little funny…seaweed?" Seaman said incredulously.

Oh, that’s just the smell of the crew below deck. It gets hot and sweaty down there, replied a young teen standing to his left. No air conditioning, you know.

That smell’s not sweaty bodies! shouted Seaman.

No need to get angry, dude! slurred the teen with a look of distress on his face as he slipped away and maneuvered himself to get close to the front of the crowd.

Seaman then recalled that those who had not passed through the Veil of Mercy and Grace could not see, hear, smell, or understand reality in the same way as those who had been delivered.

Seaman watched the teen as the boy wriggled his way to the front of the crowd. He knew what was on the boy’s mind; he had been just like him once upon a time.

This isn’t the reason I’m here today, he reminded himself. I have my orders.

He knew he had his orders, and he knew he could not interfere with the teen’s choice, but he was determined to try to persuade him not to do what he knew the boy so desperately wanted to do. The excitement and sense of adventure these ships command were irresistible to many men and women, especially youth who had not been taught what these ships really were.

Seaman gently worked his way through the crowd, watchful of the small children darting in and out of the throng of adults standing and cheering. As he came close to the teen, the boy remarked with great excitement to no one in particular.

Don’t you just love it when these living pieces of history come around? Teenager exclaimed. I get so excited every time one pulls into port; I never miss it! I hope this captain will give me an invitation to come aboard. I’ve been coming to this dock to watch these ships ever since I was a little guy, but I’ve never been lucky enough to get one of the few invitations.

I wouldn’t call it luck, says Seaman. As a matter of fact…

But his words were cut short as the teen scrambled to the very front of the crowd. He was no longer listening. The teen pulled a smart salute, mimicking the captain and crew.

Seaman continued to maneuver his way toward the teen. He was about to reach out and tap him on the shoulder when his eyes locked on the ship’s captain. Seaman was instantly gripped with fear.

It’s him! Seaman froze in his tracks. Then he glanced at the name on the hull. There it was, the name of the ship from the time before. Why? Oh, why on earth was I sent to this dock today with this ship and this captain and crew? Seaman nearly screamed these thoughts aloud.

Fear, dread, and loathing swept over him like a tidal wave. His first instinct was to cut and run. He began to make a turn when suddenly, he caught Captain’s eye. Captain wasn’t even looking at him; instead, his sharp beady eyes were laser-focused on the teen Seaman had been talking to. It was as if no one else existed.

Realization suddenly swept over Seaman. He had simply assumed he had been assigned to come here today to offer the papers in his pocket to a specific person below deck…offer words of deliverance, not that it was ever simple. Now he realized there was more to it than he had originally thought. He was also sent here to plead with this teen before it was too late, before he became subject to a life he could never imagine.

Suddenly the fear and loathing were swept away. Determination set into the lines on Seaman’s weathered face. He knew what was about to happen, and he was desperate to make certain he did everything he could to keep it from happening.

Seaman reached his hand toward Teenager’s shoulder, trying to get his attention, but just as he did, the captain quickly descended the gangway and reached out to shake the young teen’s hand.

Well, hello there, young man! said Captain beaming with enthusiasm as they shook hands vigorously. Right smart salute you gave us. Yes, sir…right smart…very impressive!

Why…why thank you, sir…I mean Captain, sir! said Teenager, snapping off yet another salute.

At ease, young sailor! At ease! chuckled Captain.

Uh…yes, sir! replied the teen, but he didn’t drop the salute right away. His brain didn’t register the at ease command due to being so overwhelmed by Captain’s magnetic presence. Slowly, the command was registered, and his hand came down to his side.

Seaman’s face turned red with anger as he witnessed this exchange. It was an almost a word-for-word reenactment of what had happened to him all those years before. Apparently, Captain and his crew were not very inventive. Seaman tried to get Teenager’s attention a second time, but both Teenager and Captain had eyes only for each other.

That’s fine, really fine, young man, said Captain as he patted the teen’s shoulder. How old are you, young sailor?

Sixteen, sir…uh…Captain, sir, replied Teenager with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

Excellent, excellent! Just the right age. Yes, just the right age indeed, Captain smiled. This is your lucky day, young man. I’m looking for lively, smart young men such as yourself to tour this fabulous ship this evening. How would you like that?

Teenager stood there with his mouth gaping open. He could hardly believe his ears. Finally, he managed to croak out a response.

I…uh…I…uh…I would be honored, sir…uh, Captain, sir, Teenager cried gleefully. He finished off this exchange with another impressive salute.

Good, good, very good indeed! Be here at eight and don’t be late, sailor, grinned Captain, answering Teenager’s salute with one of his own and giving him a playful slap on the back.

Sir! Yes, sir, Captain, sir! exclaimed Teenager with a serious and grateful face.

Captain turned on