After Mayor Morris reprimanded Ramondo, he looks to Elder Denby.

“Is there anything you have to say for yourself, Levi?” He asks.

I see Elder Denby just glare at the mayor. He slowly stands up and walks off the stage, standing between it and the pews. He looks at the people and takes a deep breath.

“Dear brothers and sisters.” He starts. “We all are searching for the same thing. Peace, serenity, and love from one another. We do not want to wish ill will on any of our brethren, but when it comes to Talia Diamond, you don’t know what to expect. Just like her parents, I’ve did everything in my power to help her, but she stopped coming by.”

“Don’t give us that crap!” Delotti yells out. “You shunned her away!”

“Yeah, and don’t blame her on what her parents did!” Loretta adds. “She didn’t choose them to be her parents! Granted, Toby and Jennifer were also in dispositions as well. But who was the main cause of it? All of you! Those two were also in a dark place and no one helped them. True, Toby was wrong for what he did to Jen. He should’ve never done what he did to her and should’ve been sent to jail, but dammit, Talia would’ve been alright with Jennifer! But no, Toby’s gone, Jen’s gone, and Talia’s here, by herself, alone. An 18-year-old that’s been by herself for so long. And all of it was because of the majority of you, and even you, Denby. So, how about you, Preacher, shut up and sit down?”

I saw Deloris and Laney stand up looking at Loretta.

“How dare you talk to Elder Denby that way, Loretta?! You should know better!” Deloris yells.

“Yeah!” Laney speaks. “Elder Denby knows what he’s talking about! He’s said that he’s seen the darkness in that girl. We all have—”

“What type of darkness do you think she has?” Tori interrupts Laney. “You all are what fuels the darkness inside her! Then again, all of us have darkness in our hearts! We are not pure, and we all need to stop pretending that we’re high and mighty! There is a degree to where our darkness will show itself and it’s up to us to face it head on, or let it consume us, and it has. That girl faces hers every day, but she can’t fight back because of all of you; her demons! She is in a lot of conflict with herself, and if you keep it up, she is going to be nothing but a husk. So, who are you to say, Laney? Besides Levi being our preacher, who is he to say?!”

I then see Sampson stand up once again and face Tori. What is he going to say now? Is he going to try and shut her up?

“I know you are not the one to talk, Tori!” He counters. “Especially with your history of selling drugs. What right do you have saying there is darkness within us?”

“Did you even hear me exclude myself? Because I didn’t.” Tori responds as she glared at Sampson, and for good reason.

Sampson, to me, is dumb as a brick. As of right now, it shows. I don’t think he understood at all what Tori was talking about.

“You just proved my point, too.” She continues. “When people get consumed in their darkness, it takes over. Your pride and ignorance have taken you over. But then again, you being one of my frequent customers at the time, I should have known that was going to happen.”

People gasped when Tori stated that Sampson used to get high. I’m shocked as well to know that’s a fact.

“Next time, pay attention to the context then being a dense idiot, can you understand that Sampson?”

Sampson doesn’t speak any further and sits back down looking defeated. There were many people looking at Tori, mainly with judgmental looks. She wasn’t scared at all.

“Listen everyone.” She starts to say. “Back then, I used to sell drugs to several people when I was younger. At the time, I was struggling with money and… I needed something immediately to help. I’ve hurt many people in the process. There was a batch that I had that was botched and I still sold it. It screwed a few people up and I regret it to this day. Now, I’m no longer struggling, and I don’t sell anymore…”

I saw her look to the mayor and Elder Santine who were on the stage. “Morris. Dominic.” She continues. “This has long been overdue. I know it won’t mean much, but I shouldn’t have done what I did, and I apologize for my actions. At this moment, I wouldn’t care if I was arrested right now.”

I see Seth in the corner put his head down and chuckle. Everyone in the town hall hears him and looks to the back and sees him in the corner. He slowly walks to the center of the aisle, slowly lifting his head and turning to see every person, then to Tori.

“That was very humble of you to admit your sin, Tori Lorne.” He speaks. “Stating an existing problem and willing to admit and rectify it is most commendable. I wish your fellow townspeople were also the same.” I hear Seth say.

“Excuse me, sir. Who… are you?” Mayor Morris asks.

“I have many names, Mr. Daniels, but you may call me Seth.”

“Where are you from?” Laney asks, of course.

Seth looks to her direction with a stern look on his face then smirks. “Somewhere not too far. I am just a footstep away from this town.”

“Well, where are you from exactly?” Deloris pressed.

Seth’s smirk disappears.

“That is none of your concern to know where I hail from.” He snaps. “What should be of concern is the girl and Solomon Richt.”

He looks to Mayor Morris. “Also, it is nice to see you again, Mr. Daniels. I am glad to see you have recovered from your addiction, but I cannot say the same for dear Dominic.”

The mayor looked embarrassed while Elder Santine… well, he wasn’t paying any attention. He looked like he wasn’t aware of what was going on. I guess that’s what happens when you use substances constantly.

“How do you know that?” Mayor Morris asked.

“I know many things. But that matter can be discussed another time.” Seth replied.

He then turns to the audience.

“Now, I have an interesting thought. How could an 18-year-old girl divide a town’s population is beyond human comprehension. But blaming the girl instead of the older adult? The majority of you defending Solomon Richt. Such a shame…”

I saw Deloris stand up. “Did you ever meet Solomon by any chance?” She asked demandingly.

Seth smirks in a sinister way.

“I have met him the eighteenth time I came to this town, and I know him very well.” He replies. “Now, let me state his true character, for he… does not deserve a defense from anybody. Solomon, the name he was born with does not suit him, had a black and rotten heart. I saw that within him when we met.”

I see Seth begin to smile. He looked a bit crazed in the eyes as he did.

“The last time I talked to Solomon, I looked into those eyes of his. I saw every misdeed he did, and every sin he committed. I saw what when he took pieces away from those women that took their own lives. In my eyes, he was one of the many tainted souls of this town that deserved what happened to him.”

“Wait! What the hell are you getting at?!” Deloris asks demandingly.

“Did you kill Solomon?!” Laney adds angrily.

Seth quickly looks in their direction. The moment he did, Deloris and Laney looked as if they felt real fear and they quickly sat back down, like they were forced to sit.

“I was fair enough to humor you both, but only just once.” He snaps. “I do not have any more of an interest in answering your questions. So, I suggest you both sit and stay silent until you are asked a question.”

He then looks to Mayor Morris. “I will gladly answer any questions Morris would love to ask me.” He speaks calmly.

Before the mayor could even ask Seth anything, Elder Denby cleared his throat and glared at Seth from where he stood, still in between the stage and the pews.

“Son, you are in no control of the people in Tinton! We are children of a higher power! We answer to God! Not you!” He exclaims.

Seth chuckles at Elder Denby’s remark.

“Your god… is not here, false prophet.” He counters. “He would not dare be in the same room with most of you. He does not want frauds in his presence, let alone let them praise and worship his name. You, Levi, and your flock would sully his name.”

“Excuse you? A blasphemer such as yourself isn’t in any position to speak to me in that manner! I am bestowed by God’s wisdom, so you know nothing about our—”

Seth’s eyes glowed when Elder Denby called him a blasphemer for sure. He glares at Elder Denby. The next thing I see is Elder Denby looking as if he couldn’t move. I see his body slowly drag back onto the stage and set back in his seat. People in the audience started to stare in disbelief. They were scared, the same type of fear Solomon had on his face before he died.

“Do not test me, Levi!” He sneers. “When it comes to real situations, you know not what you say! So, stay seated and silent!”

I see some people get up from their seats and begin screaming as they run to the door. People were trying to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. I have a feeling Seth’s holding it. Seth was only facing the mayor as this was happening. Even as scared as Mayor Morris was from what I saw, he still had the courage to look at the people trying to leave and banged the gavel multiple times; the people stopped to pay attention to him.

“I will have order!” He shouts. “I need you all to be seated! That door… will not open until I ask… Mr. Seth some questions so he can explain himself. So, please… be seated and don’t say a word.”

That’s exactly what they did, sat back down and stayed quiet. Mayor Morris then proceeds to look to Seth.

“Did you have anything to do with… Solomon’s death?” He asks.

“Yes, I did.” Seth answers and smirks.

“Did you kill him?”

“No, I did not.”

“Did you give him the rope?”

“I did not. It was already tied to the tree branch.”

“Where did you get it from?”

I see Seth look at the ground for a moment then back up to the mayor. “I am not one to lie. I got it from the girl that the majority of you have a vendetta against.”

Mayor Morris raises his brow. “Why did you take it from Talia?”

“I took it from her because she was going to hang herself with it. I told her to give it to me and leave.”

“What did you do to Solomon then?”

“I showed Solomon his actions and what his consequences would be if he were to be caught. I made him feel the pain and trauma those 20 women felt. From their assault all the way to their deaths. He was nothing more than a shell that could move.”

The people gasped and muttered to themselves. Seth then looks at them as his eyes glow and a smile showing his fangs.

“For the people who defended him… you all have hearts as black as the void, just like his. There are many of you who have those hearts… and I would love to take them, just like how I took his…”

No remorse on his face, just joy as he laughs, and it sounds disturbing. He meant every word and I wouldn’t blame him. The look on the people’s faces was so full of fear, and I want them to feel this, because it’s what I’ve felt, too.

“For the people who defended Talia, I commend you all. Your hearts are not worth taking and are worth something else.”

The way he said it was different. The eyes didn’t glow, and his fangs didn’t show. It sounded like it was in respect. Those people did go out of their way to defend me and I’m glad they did. Nobody had ever done that for me. Seth turns back to the mayor.

“Solomon climbed up the tree to the branch, put the rope around his neck, and you understand the rest.” He adds.

Mayor Morris shook his head in disgust as he looked at Seth’s calm face. “And I’m sure that you understand that even though you didn’t put the rope around his neck, you… are still the cause of his death, Mr. Seth. From beginning to end.”

“That I understand, Morris, but the rules that you humans set do not apply to me, nor do they matter to me. I did what I did to send a message to the people of Tinton.”

“And… what is that message?”

Seth turns back to the audience.

“I was sent here because of Talia’s cries, but I was here many times before for many others. I, sadly, was too late to save them… not this time. I am here now, I am Talia’s protector, and it looks like I must make myself comfortable here.”

“Well…” Mayor Morris starts. “I’m afraid you’re right about that, because you are now under arrest for the death of Solomon Richt.”

Seth turns back around and chuckles like it was a joke and extends his hands.

“If that is what you think is best, then order Gino to handcuff me now, not that it will make a difference.” He replies.

The mayor signals Chief Surran to arrest him. The chief stands up, walks off the stage, and heads toward Seth. As he did, I saw Seth follow Surran with his eyes and smile which made Chief Surran look uneasy from what I saw. Despite his hesitancy, he puts the cuffs on Seth’s wrists.

“How is the infection, Gino?” Seth asks him still smiling.

Gino looked uncomfortable from his remark.

“It would be best for you to clear it up before you sleep with another woman.” Seth adds.

I’m sure Chief Surran was embarrassed as he turned Seth around and walked him to reach the front door of the town hall. Seth stops in his tracks making Gino struggle to move him and failing to do so. Gino is twice Seth’s size in weight and is unable to even move him? That’s some power…

“I do wish to incite a warning for the majority.” Seth speaks. “If any of you harm Talia in any form, I am always around. Remember to think twice before you even think about your actions towards her or even think about touching her doorknob. And for Tori Lorne, Delotti Morano, Arlena Lano, Mandy Garner, Randall Garner Jr., Julia Tisley, Loretta Torrance, Rachel Norman, Amanda Banley, and even you, Mayor Morris Daniels. You all are commendable. I will give you all safety for the days to come. That is my promise.”

Chief Surran opens the door for Seth to walk outside. The Chief held onto Seth’s right arm as they walked out. A moment later, I see them to my right heading towards the police station. Seth stops walking and looks right at me from afar with a calm face. His face looked like he was telling me ‘Everything will be alright’. I’m not going to lie, but I am afraid he was going to jail. Because how could he protect now if he isn’t near me? I see Chief Surran looking in my direction trying to see what Seth was seeing, but I guess it was too dark or far in my area for him, and I’m glad he didn’t see me.

“What are you looking at?” He asks Seth.

“Hmm, nothing of the sort.” Seth answers.

“Well, come on. I need to get you inside and sort you out in the morning. I got one hell of a day tomorrow.”

After Chief Surran’s comment, I turned to leave through the woods to go home. Oh no… Why don’t I feel good? My stomach hurts…