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That Dark Place
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE OTHEREALM SAGA
In That Dark Place, Lattimore infuses his characters with emotional depth and spins a plot that keeps you glued to the pages until the last one is turned.
— TOM PAWLIK, Award-Winning Author of Vanish
W. Franklin Lattimore propels himself into the ranks of powerful storytellers like Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. Not only does Lattimore weave a tale of intrigue, intelligence, and deep characters, he does it with the bold courage to rip the curtains away from dark truths, which is too often lacking in authors today.
— ROBERT LIPARULLO, Bestselling Author of
Dreamhouse Kings and Comes a Horseman
That Dark Place is like a powerful tidal wave that just doesn’t stop! From the very beginning of the story, I was drawn into the lives of the characters. As the story progresses, so do the battles they have to face—some darker than others. Much darker. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart, nor is it one for the reader who wants a book that can be happily tucked away and forgotten. It is one that will disturb the comfortable believer and challenge the prayer warrior. Be careful when you pick it up—you won’t want to put it down!
— SHIRLEY AVERY, Editor
Move over Frank Peretti, there is another Frank in town. Frank has written a book that takes you right into the middle of spiritual warfare. Highly recommended!
— ANDI TUBBS, Award-Winning Blogger & Editor
Thank you for writing That Dark Place and the best spiritual warfare stories I've ever read! I've spent a lot of time discussing Elizabeth—and her knack for getting herself way in over her head—with my teen daughter and adult son. Your books make for excellent conversations and teachable moments.
— ROBIN NICHOLS
This last book of the Otherealm Saga—That Dark Place—was my favorite. W. Franklin Lattimore is a master story-teller; his stories bring you in and they cannot easily be put down!
— JIM MARZULLO
I felt so creeped out reading That Dark Place! It felt like watching a wolf stalk a lamb.
— APRIL BILLUE
I found Deliver Us from Darkness quite thought provoking. There were so many wonderful characters from every possible angle and walk of life. I've rarely come across a book that I enjoyed flipping back to a former page (or chapter) to enjoy the moment again and again before heading back towards the finish line.
— D. M. KILGORE, Author: Call of the Warrior
and Tales by the Tree Anthologies
Deliver Us from Darkness grabbed me. The characters and their stories kept me turning the pages. I did not expect this novel to further challenge and teach about spiritual warfare, yet it did. I love a novel that entertains while it simultaneously schools you in something new—something I need to know as I minister to others. Read it to be entertained, informed, and inspired by a God who meets us in the darkest places.
— MARESA DePUY, Christian Blogger and Author of
When God Speaks: One Man’s Calling
to Save the Children of Uganda
When Darkness Comes was even better than book one! I loved the suspense! While I enjoyed the characters as teenagers in book one, as adults I could relate to them better in this story. This story was an emotional roller coaster ride, a ride I didn't want to end.
— LYNN WILSON
With When Darkness Comes, Lattimore fashions for us a set of new characters just as vivid, delightfully faulty, and intricate as the last. His familiar signature of plot twists, clever humor, and spiritual insight [provide] a book that even a reader who traditionally dreads sequels can excitedly recommend.
— CAROLINE DeARRAS, Writer
Behind the Darkness creates an undeniable need to see what happens next. But beyond the beauty and flawless writing, this book, like the first two, are game-changers in one's own life. You will confirm, grow, desire, build on, and delve deeper into a personal relationship with Christ.
— WENDY J. MARSINEK
I hate it when a good book ends! If you want a book that will make you laugh and cry, inspire and humble you, make you search your soul, and is suspenseful enough to have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath, then Behind the Darkness is a must read!
— SHEROLYN PORTER, Author of the
Reflections from the Sunroom Devotionals
I finished Behind the Darkness last night in one sitting. I was stunned by the last page! After I finished it, I turned over, prayed, and cried in my pillow. I've thought a lot about the story today also. I am very thankful that the author is using his talent to show people God's heart.
— APRIL McCARROLL
THAT DARK PLACE
Copyright © 2021 W. Franklin Lattimore
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published by Direct Impact Books
ISBN: 97810057363-1-6
Visit the author at:
http://www.wfranklinlattimore.com
Edited by Allison Chamberlain
Also available in Paperback & Hardback
Book Cover Design by
Taylor Aldridge
http://www.TaylorAldridge.com
Interior Camera Photo Model: McKinzie Smith
Photographer: Hannah Contalee
Line Art Designs:
macrovector / Freepik - www.freepik.com
Iwant-You4 – www.iwant-you4.blogspot.com
Contents
• What People Are Saying
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Acknowledgments
• Dedication
• Prologue
Chapter—1
Chapter—2
Chapter—3
Chapter—4
Chapter—5
Chapter—6
Chapter—7
Chapter—8
Chapter—9
Chapter—10
Chapter—11
Chapter—12
Chapter—13
Chapter—14
Chapter—15
Chapter—16
Chapter—17
Chapter—18
Chapter—19
Chapter—20
Chapter—21
Chapter—22
Chapter—23
Chapter—24
Chapter—25
Chapter—26
Chapter—27
Chapter—28
Chapter—29
Chapter—30
Chapter—31
Chapter—32
Chapter—33
Chapter—34
Chapter—35
Chapter—36
Chapter—37
Chapter—38
Chapter—39
Chapter—40
Chapter—41
Chapter—42
Chapter—43
Chapter—44
Chapter—45
Chapter—46
Chapter—47
Chapter—48
Chapter—49
Chapter—50
Chapter—51
Chapter—52
Chapter—53
Chapter—54
Chapter—55
Chapter—56
C
hapter—57
Chapter—58
Chapter—59
Chapter—60
Chapter—61
Chapter—62
Chapter—63
Chapter—64
Chapter—65
Chapter—66
Chapter—67
Chapter—68
Chapter—69
Chapter—70
Chapter—71
Chapter—72
Chapter—73
Chapter—74
Chapter—75
Chapter—76
Chapter—77
Chapter—78
Chapter—79
Chapter—80
Chapter—81
Chapter—82
Chapter—83
Chapter—84
• A Personal Note from Elizabeth
• A Note from the Author
• Books of the Otherealm Saga
• Links
• About the Author
Acknowledgments
The Three-in-One—I am both humbled and amazed by the ability that You have given to me to create a story such as this, as well as the ones that preceded it—let alone the ones yet to come. I would voice that I appreciate You more than You know, but since You know everything, I’ll simply say thank You and I love You.
Allison Chamberlain—My editor. Once again, you’ve taken my story and knocked off the rough edges and given it a finesse that was sometimes lacking. Everyone is reading a better book because of your touch. Thank you for your tireless work.
Taylor Aldridge—You came out of nowhere to become the graphic artist for the cover of this book. You are a master artist! I also gained myself a friend. And that makes me very grateful.
Myrtle Tennessee Hamilton—Mamaw, you and your prayers made every one of my books a possibility. Thank you for being an example of Jesus and a prayerful lifter of all your concerns about me to God. I hope God is letting you read my books up there. I’m looking forward to our reunion.
Tom Pawlik—I’ve enjoyed your writing for years. Thank you for taking an interest in mine and for becoming a friend.
www.TomPawlik.com
Ted Dekker—Someone I’ve admired from afar for a very long time. Several phone conversations with you inspired a writer. Your “Ragged Edge” event and the “RE-union” solidified one.
www.TedDekker.com
To My Wonderful Willing “Beta” Readers—April Billue, Sarah Chaney, Jill Jennissen, Jim Marzullo, and Robin Nichols. I want all of you to know that your input was invaluable. Your critiques allowed for some tweaks and certainly boosted my confidence that I wrote a book that was worthy of the public’s attention. Thank you to all of you!
To My Wife
Loretta Lynn Lattimore
I’m blessed to have you wanting me.
And I’m tickled by how you made this book better.
You are intellispectacuwonderous!
Prologue
Two Years and One Month Before
B
rent and Tara walked into the supermarket.
“What’s first on the list that I can find for you? Something that won’t take me all day,” asked Brent with a grin.
Tara pretended to look through the list. Brent already knew what was coming.
“Looks like I’m going to have to get everything myself, then,” she said with a lilt in her voice and a playful smile.
“Saw that coming from a million miles away.”
“Good eyesight! How about we start over in the pharmacy?”
In the cold and allergy aisle, they searched for some ‘just-in-case’ medications for the kids. Finding them and putting them into the cart, they had started to make their way into another aisle when they heard crying.
Brent and Tara looked at each other. Leaving the cart where it stood, they walked another aisle over and found a girl sitting on the floor. Her shoulders were shaking.
Tara ran over to her and crouched beside her. “Hey, hey,” she said softly. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Brent joined them on the floor, crouching to the other side of the girl. She was obviously a teenager. Dark brown hair fell to the sides of her face, hiding it from view.
She wasn’t saying anything.
“Sweetheart,” Tara tried again. “Talk to me. It’s okay. What’s wrong?”
“N-n-nothing,” she stammered. “I-I’ll be okay.”
“That’s obviously not the way that you’re seeing things. Can you tell me what it is?”
Brent noticed the aisle in which the girl sat. “Tara?”
She looked up at him.
He tilted his head in the direction of the shelves.
After looking at the products to her right, compassion filled Tara’s eyes and she placed an arm around the girl. Softly she asked, “Do you think you’re pregnant?”
“I.…” Her crying began to intensify. “I know that I am.”
“Then, sweetie, why are you in this aisle? Maybe taking a test will actually show differently.”
“No … it won’t…. I want it to, but it won’t. This is my fifth test.”
Tears filled Tara’s eyes, and Brent closed his for a moment.
“It’s going to be okay,” Brent assured her. “Trust me. What’s your name?”
She finally looked up into Brent’s eyes. He knew that face.
“My name’s Elizabeth.”
EVEN IF ELIZABETH Franklin had tried to remember, she wouldn’t have been able to pin an exact date to when she had first crossed the line. Irrespective of the day, the event would, on occasion, flash back.
She could remember the hammering of her heart, the intensity of the pulse in her neck. The shallowness of each breath and the tremble in both of her hands. She had asked herself one last Should I do it? before clicking the Send button.
Then it was done.
At that moment, it had become forever too late get it back.
And from that moment, it had become forever easier to continue doing it.
A single picture sent on that day turned into hundreds more—both as sender and receiver—each photo, each experience an adrenaline rush.
Daring and fun.
Taboo.
She tried again to mentally pinpoint the when—the day in which she first gave in to that man’s tantalizing and scary request. “Just one. Just one without your shirt on.”
She had been twelve years old. That much she remembered. And it had happened on a warm day, probably during the summer. Her dad’s office window at the rear of the house had been open and the sunlight made the picture that she took of herself perfectly clear.
She remembered thinking, Why do guys keep asking to see them? They aren’t even big yet. She’d stared at the photo of herself on the computer screen for a couple of minutes, all the while thinking, I’m kind of goofy looking.
She had already begun “the change.” Leaving behind the appearance of an awkward, skinny girl, she was budding into womanhood. And that was starting to make life exciting.
Boys were starting to notice her, and apparently, some men too! Well, probably more like older teens, but some did have facial hair.
It had all been very exciting.
And for the most part, almost four years later, it still was.
MONDAY, JULY 28
Chapter 1
A
nother day, another holler.
The baby was crying again. Brent and Tara looked across the dinner table to their newly eighteen-year-old daughter. Wet or hungry, it was Jenna’s day to take care of the baby’s needs.
Jenna Lawton produced a Who, me? look in an attempt to shirk the responsibility.
Brent raised an eyebrow as Tara brought her elbows to the surface of the table and clasped her hands below her chin, a smile touching her lips.
Jenna got the message. She wouldn’t be wriggling out of it this time. She sighed and got
up from the table to head up the stairs to the baby’s crib.
Brent turned to Tara and smirked. “I think we played it pretty well this time.”
“Yeah, well, it’s only because she’s given us plenty of opportunities to get our technique down pat. Practice makes perfect, after all.”
“Twenty months. Can you believe we’ve had a baby in our house for over a year and a half already? Tired of it yet?”
Tara lowered her still-clasped hands to the table. “I love having a baby again.”
“Don’t get overly attached, Tara Lawton. She’s not yours to keep.”
“Look who’s talking, Grandpa Lawton.”
Brent laughed.
JENNA WALKED UP the stairs and made two successive right turns into the baby’s room. What had once been a “princess” room for Amy had been transformed into both a makeshift nursery and living space, furnished with a bed, recliner, diaper-changing station, and Amy’s former crib. There hadn’t been a lot of time to prepare for the entrance of a baby into their home, but because the room had previously belonged to a little girl, not much had needed to be done to prepare it for the arrival of another.
The eldest of the three Lawton children walked toward the crib with a soft smile on her face. The brown-haired toddler stood on her tiptoes, holding onto the railing. She began to smile then giggle loudly as Jenna reached the bed.
“I knew you were faking it,” said Jenna as she approached. In her “wuvving” childlike voice, she cooed, “What am I going to do with you, Kyla girl?”
At the sound of her name, Kyla began to bounce up and down and yell, “Jee-Jee!”
“I’ll bet you haven’t even pee-peed, have you? You just want some attention.”
Kyla let out another loud, happy yell. “Pee-pee!” She followed that with one of her piercing screams of delight.