The Hollow

Chapter 19: Confession

November 23rd: 9:03pm

“All Hollow residents are to report to The Center immediately. All children to The Lounge. All Outsiders are to leave. Any resident found outside of The Center after 15 minutes will face punishment. Any Outsider found within the gates will be banished. This is not a test, Code Conclave is enacted. The bell will ring in 15 minutes,” Vlads voice rasped over the speaker as Samara and Jonathan helped Jonah to The Center.

Jonah sat in a chair and hung his head, feeling every ounce of strength in him draining. Samara ran off to get him some water while Jonathan lifted his shirt and found that he had bleed through the bandage that Fred had placed. Fred would be there soon so there wasn’t anything to do but wait. People gathered slowly, it was late and they were quiet as they took in their broken King. Zander came tearing through the crowd, throwing himself on Jonah and making him groan. Despite the pain he didn't let Zander pull away until Samara whispered that Fred needed to check him out. Fred informed him that he needed to get in and sterilize the wound and formally close it as soon as possible and Jonah nodded. He already knew that, knew he was on borrowed time, but he needed to address this situation before rumors spread. The bell echoed through The Hollow and Jonah cleared his throat.

“These halls have been haunted for the past year,” Jonah started, bringing everyone's attention to him, “My parents were murdered and I know they haunted more then just me. I learned a lot of things tonight, including the identity of their killer. He’s dead, I shot him after he confessed to orchestrating the events that lead to my fathers death and killing my mother himself. I’ve taken lives before, I hold that mark on my soul for The Hollow as my father did and my grandfather before him. Most of those men haunt me but Ogden Bogue never will,” Jonah gave them a moment, taking a moment himself as he swayed slightly and tried to clear his vision. Once most of the uproar settled he continued, “I was betrayed by more than Ogden tonight. We had found a list of names and three of them proved to be part of Ogdens plan. Sandra Draper, Luke Sander, Kit Walker, Paul Anderson, Yvette Parker, and Oliver Hall. I can’t promise you won't hang but I can promise a trial.”

Jonah waved his hand and Vampires descended on the crowd, apprehending the accused. A few of them actually tried to fight and they had to tase Paul Anderson to get him restrained. Vlad led them out, taking them to where they would be held until Jonah recovered enough to call the trial. 

“Tomorrow we’ll mourn, not for Ogden Bogue but for Murphy Williams and Flynn Shelby who both lost their lives tonight because of him. I will be releasing the full report on what happened for anyone who cares to see it. Someone is going to need to take the Bogue kids. We all will need to be the community we always have been to protect them. They aren’t at fault and they brought an important matter to light that helped us end this. I’m sorry I allowed it to get like this, I’m sorry for a lot of things but The Hollow will recover and live on, ” Jonah continued, “I crossed a line by not putting Ogden on trial. I had the opportunity and I chose not to take it. I’m not sorry for it but I understand if that furthers any distrust that may lurk in these halls in my ability to lead. It will all be discussed but for now, go home. I’m not in a state to debate my actions right now but as soon as I am, I will hear out every last one of you.”

Jonah fell back into his chair, dragging his hands through his hair as he released a hard breath toward the floor. He heard the crowd shuffling but didn't hear footsteps and wondered if he had lost too much blood. A soft hand was placed on his shoulder and he looked up to find The Hollow kneeling before him. Fighting against the burning in his eyes as he took in the solemn faces of his people he tried to speak but a sob choked him instead. Jonah watched them bow their heads to him as the tears escaped and leaked down his face. A soft murmur of 'Regale' and they rose, leaving.