My chest tightens as I spot the area where she nearly died because of me. Taking my hand she says, “Killian, don’t. I forgave you a long time ago. It’s time to forgive yourself.”
I don’t tell her I can’t and probably never will. Squeezing her hand I bring it to my lips and kiss her skin, hopefully settling her nerves. She doesn’t need to worry about me right now.
When we make it to the lake, Heather points off to the left. There’s a religious white robe on the ground, and she gasps when she spots the small body at the edge of the lake. I grab herarm, stopping her from going to the little girl that is obviously dead. I’m guessing the child is eight or nine years old.
Heather pulls gloves from her pocket and stares at me, her gaze filled with heartbreak.
“I can’t leave her like this, Killian. I’m just going to cover her up so people aren’t staring at her naked body. I can’t-“
I nod and interrupt her.
“Do what you need to do, baby.”
Carter, Knox, and I watch her like hawks to make sure she’s safe. Bones and his men look away, respectfully. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve seen things like this before. It’s a terrible sight. This poor baby’s life gone far too soon. Somehow I know she’s in a better place. I have no doubt this poor girl experienced unspeakable horrors during her short time on this earth.
“I need to bury her.” She says to Bones and he nods.
“Whatever you need, but we need to finish this first. I’m guessing he has been here.”
We continue our search, looking through the trees but don’t see anything other than the odd animal.
Bones points ahead and we all stop and stare.
Two mysterious pieces of plywood lay randomly on the ground in the middle of the forest. Bones and Psycho both grab the larger piece and move it aside.
“Holy shit.” Bones says and we move closer, spotting a large hole in the ground.
“Holy shit, indeed.” Heather says.
There are rickety looking wood steps at the edge. Is this mother fucker actually living in a hole in the ground? I smile to myself at the thought that our girl has him this afraid.
Psycho pulls his knife out of his sheath, his eyes dark as coal and ready for some action.
“I’ll go down and check things out.”
Heather stares at him, her eyes flashing him a warning.
“If he’s down there, don’t kill him.”
The hole appears to be at least ten feet deep and I’m slightly concerned if those steps break it might be a challenge to get Psycho out. As he whistles, I realize he isn’t concerned a bit.
“I’m gonna go too. Just in case.” Reaper says and climbs down the steps. We can hear the stairs shifting as he moves. A few minutes later we can’t see anything but can hear a struggle. Heather grabs Bones arm.
“We should send more men down to help. Jedediah is a dangerous man.”
He chuckles softly, “So are my brothers. I promise they’re fine.”
Reaper comes up first with a man in front of him.
Heather gasps, “John Steve.”
He has a long white beard and angry brown eyes, wearing one of their ridiculous long white robes with a gold belt tied around the waist.
Reaper gives Bones a strange look.
“Call Bella. There are three victims down there.”
Psycho comes into view and kicks the man in front of him that I can only assume is Jedediah when I spot our girl’s reaction to him. She trembles as she moves closer to me. Carter and Knox surround her protectively, wanting her to feel secure. She knows she’s not in danger, but it’s a normal reaction considering how much he has tortured her for years.