Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Ch 93 (colin) - Even Wicked Love is Priceless

Colin spent many days looking for the best areas when he was trying to decide to open a resort or not after they had first moved to the state. There were several locations in Washington that people didn't venture into and he was planning on putting Stacy at one of these places to buy time. Nate was quiet as Colin drove because he was sure his son hadn't ventured this far into the mountains. He didn't want it to be a dumping ground for future bodies in case Nate decided to kill again. He hoped he wasn't going to and wanted to help him get out of his situation with his girlfriend. When someone else was involved there was always a bigger risk in getting caught. It bothered Colin how natural it was for Nate to take a life, as if the apple didn't fall far from his tree. He also hoped that Stacy's death wasn't going to lead them to Nate in any way. He had a horrible feeling that the last girl that Nate murdered, Nikki, was too close to home in the detectives' research.

Colin turned right into a dirt path that some hunters used in the fall. There wasn't houses for many miles. This area of hills and woods were eerie even to him. Now everything was covered thick with blankets of untouched snow which most cars wouldn't even be able to venture through. He was grateful that they were getting a break in the wintery downfall. It wouldn't really matter though because his car was built for the weather with four-wheel drive, great tires, and an excellent suspension system. He had trucks, but he had loved his car so much he had to have it yet it needed to accommodate the rough mountains they lived in. If the tire tracks were traced he knew they would try to match them to a truck which would be expected to handle the area, not a car. The heater focused on his legs and feet along with the two vents blowing lightly on his face, he could roll the windows down and still be warm. It was wonderful to be able to pay for such luxury. He probably shouldn't have used this car to transport Stacy, but it was the least nice vehicle Colin had sitting at his home. It wasn't as if he had time to go buy a thousand-dollar clunker to haul them around in, as they were untraceable. He felt guilty that Stacy was bumping around in the trunk of it though.

Colin looked everywhere but avoided his rearview mirror as he was sure he was going to see an angry apparition sitting in his back seat. After driving on the untethered dirt road, he parked at the bottom of a hill holding up a small dark forest with giant trees. The warmth from the central vent could not heat him up from the inside as his soul shivered.

The moment he got out of his car the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Strangely he felt calm and comforted that Nate was with him to help because he wasn't sure he was physically able to follow through with what he needed to do before the sun came up to reveal his misbehavior. The forest felt menacing and abnormal compared to every forest he had ever explored. He saw as Nate's body momentarily shook that he felt the same way. Both men tightened up their jackets. They hadn't yet seen a ghost but Colin was expecting to. If apparitions were around, he wished they would hide to make the experience easier to deal with.

The expensive watch on Colin's wrist told him they were still in the first few hours of the morning. The moon was bright and reflected off the snow that covered the tops of the clustered dark trees making it feel like a shadowed camp. Colin grabbed the two shovels they brought in case they had to dig. He wanted to just set Stacy somewhere but wasn't sure what animals were in the area. He figured if there was anything that was a treat it was bears and cougars.

He was afraid for anyone to find evidence if anyone were to check his car. With how Stacy was wrapped however, that may be enough to defy their search. Nate picked up the wrapped-up Stacy from the trunk and held her against his body as they walked through the woods for a perfect spot. The air was cold, but not unbearable. The thickness of the snow was their biggest struggle.

The further in that they ventured Colin looked behind him and it seemed as of the trees moved closer together to block out the view of his car. He was even more convinced there were dark forces at work here, as if this was part of a demon's property. The woods felt colder than what the snow should have provided. The dampness of the ground made it smell as if there had been other dumping's of death. For a moment Colin felt uncomfortable and suspicious that others did visit the area and finding Stacy here might be too easy and quick. Getting into trouble for one person was one thing, but to get into trouble for someone you weren't responsible for was a whole another hell added, especially if it was a kid.