BEDEVILED

A chance encounter or a divine test? When Scotty Brian spots Hannah Cotton at the theater, he pesters one of her friends until Hannah agrees to give him her number. One date leads to several as Scotty's intelligence, confidence, and gift-giving beguile Hannah. After Scotty enters her life, Hannah desires to remarry and believes God has answered her prayer for a husband with the chance meeting. But, several months into the relationship, Hannah notices signs of control and jealousy. It is not until after an event with former co-workers that Hannah becomes concerned that Scotty might not be the man she thinks he is. By this time, she is bewitched by Scotty's charm and determined to make the relationship work. Scotty accuses Hannah of having an affair with a former associate, Lenny Woodson, and his aggression toward Lenny and suspicions of Hannah increase. Believing she loves him, Hannah becomes submissive to Scotty's requests and stops hanging with her former friends, hoping it will soften Scotty's aggressive behaviors. But Scotty becomes increasingly controlling and mistrusting and accuses her of flirting with every man who smiles or says hello. As Hannah surrenders to Scotty's wishes, she loses her personality and identity. She thinks Scotty's hatred toward her former co-worker resolves after she ends the friendship until Scotty summons her to his apartment. Upon arriving, Hannah spots her friend, Lenny Woodson, chained in the basement, and Scotty has a gun to his head. She convinces Scotty to unchain Lenny. Lenny jumps Scotty, the two men scuffle and Lenny gets shot in the shoulder. On the way to the hospital, they agree that Scotty is showing his new pistol, which discharges. Will Hannah end the relationship, hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit before it is too late?This story shows how even the strongest women can find themselves in an inexplicable situation and what it takes to break free from an abusive relationship.