Secrets In The Shadows

Chapter 31:Trial and Answers

Five weeks later I sit in a courtroom with the parents and families of the victims, my own family, Seth's family, and Detective's Grey and Winters.

We all watch as Seth sits in the stand next to the judge. The judge, Judge Cabot, talks to him. "State your name for the court please". Seth leans forward towards the mike, "Seth Lucas Hammond but I prefer to be called Orion, since that is my true name". He smiles at her.

A shiver runs down my spine at the same time my fists ball up in anger at that name. Judge Cabot blinks at him before answering. " Mr. Hammond, you are being charged with 11 counts of first degree murder, how do you plead?".

He leans forward to speak his answer. "Guilty your Honor" he says this with a smile. Judge Cabot looks towards the Detectives before looking back at Seth. " The reason you are here today is so I can decide if you are truly....unwell Mr. Hammond or if  this is just a fraud. You are also here to tie up loose hands for  everyone involved in this case. You may proceed".

Seth nods. "Where do you want me to begin Detectives?" he looks in their direction. Detective Winters stares coldly into his eyes as she speaks, " Start from the beginning".

Seth nods again. "Alright, last year in 2018 in the month of March, I approached Hunter Winters, who is Apollo God of music, truth, healing and light, with a proposal. I asked him if I could date Huntress, and right away he said no. I asked him why and he said that I wasn't good enough. After that I decided a plan to become good enough. I figured if I made a few sacrifices the Gods would allow us to be together. 

Two days after that I scoped out which students and faculty fit my specific Gods and Goddess. Ashely Reynolds was Aphrodite, Goddess of love, sexual desire, pleasure, and procreation. By sacrificing her, her love and pleasure would pass on over to me and Huntress.

Her promiscuous nature around the school helped me pick her out. Tyler Wilson was Zeus, king of God's because he ruled the school and his lackeys, Conner Hayes and Paul Harrison were Hades and Poseidon respectfully because they all hung out together. By sacrificing the three most powerful of them all, I'd be proving that I'd belong at the top.

Quesa Mayfield was Peitho, a goddess who personifies persuasion and seduction, her abilities plus Aphrodite were sure to help me out. Charles was Hephaestus, God of fire, metalworking, and the art of sculpture. Sacrificing him meant we would have a temple dedicated to us in the afterlife as we rightly should.

Tyra Dawson was Hecate, Goddess of witchcraft, magic and ghost. Her sacrifice meant in some other light we'd be stronger then before. Peter Rogers was was Janus, God of beginnings and transitions. We would start our new life together, with each other. Brandon Hall symbolized Kratos, God of strength and power. I don't need to explain that one.

Scott Myers was Zelus, God of zeal and dedication. Sacrificing him showed how far I was willing to go. And finally, Sophie Masters. The light in the dark. She was Pheobe. Goddess of Brightness and radiance. She was sacrificed because she symbolized what a good person should be.

I got everything I needed from Amazon, clothes, materials etc. I started on November 6th simply because it is Artemis' birthday.  I realize that none of you know my story, Orion's story so to speak.

It's simple: Apollo objected to his sister's Artemis's live for Orion, and Apollo, seeing Orion swimming with just his head visible, challenged Artemis to shoot at that mark, which she did, thus hitting and killing him. I tell you that story simply because so you know why I relate. When I read that story I realized I was Orion and Huntress was my Artemis". He pauses before speaking, looking at the victims families.

"If it's an apology you're waiting for, you won't get it because I am not sorry. Your loved ones had to be killed for the greater good: love. They didn't die in vain. I'm not sorry for doing it because I did it for love. You should be happy your loved ones were chosen for this hunt, it's an honor". He smiles at them.

The mothers and aunts and sisters of the families start crying. Seth's own family stare open mouthed at him, obviously in shock. Someone from each family member are restraining the ones who want to leap up and shout in anger, in pure rage and utter sorrow.

I feel sick. I knew parts of the reason but hearing it come from the horses mouth, its....chilling.  It's utterly gut wrenching and terrifying that a 16 year old boy could....I shake my head.

Judge Cabot bangs her gavel twice, "Order! I said Order! I have made my decision"

We sit on the edge of our seats as she reads the final verdict.....