Foreword

Cody Coots is a fourth-generation "Signs Follower." His childhood was anything but normal. 

At age 6, he started handling fake serpents with his sister Trina, using leather belts as props. Such was life in East Kentucky, in a congregation of believers proclaiming themselves as the truest followers of the "Old Time Religion."

Cody tried his best to have a normal childhood. He rode his bike, practiced drums on the pots and pans in the kitchen, and even watched WWE Wrestling with his father Jamie – one of the most famous serpent-handling preachers of all time.

After an unspeakable act of evil left Cody devastated at 8 years old, he turned his wrath upon his parents, his church, his God, and even himself.

What is Marked for Life?

Cody Coots, fourth-generation serpent handler, has an unusual childhood. By age 6, he's already handling mock serpents with his sister, Trina. They use leather belts as props. It makes him yearn for a normal childhood.

He just wants to ride his bike, practice drums on pots and pans, and watch professional wrestling with his father, Jamie - the world's most famous serpent-handling preacher. But after a terrible act of evil devastates Cody at 8 years old, leaving his innocence in tatters, he turns his wrath upon his parents, his church, his God – and even himself.