There were no words to describe the emptiness that spread between the three of them, each man glancing down at the irrevocable piece of evidence that had shattered their last hope for Kevin's safety and wellbeing.
Mike had been the brave one, stepping forward next to Carl to get a better look at what little was exposed of the body, using his pencil to lift a few of the scalp pieces to expose flesh and brain tissue that hadn't fully decomposed yet.
Not long after the rock had been lifted, the putrid odor of a rotting corpse filled the air, growing thick and unbearable from the high humidity that had come with the rain storm this morning.
Steve wasn't sure just how his partner managed to keep it together, especially when it came to the unspeakable crime against a child that they had finally come upon. Knowing just how much the Lieutenant cared for the youngest and most vulnerable of all, he knew that it had to be tearing on his heartstrings.
And yet, Mike seemed controlled, meticulous as usual, as he took in the position of the body, his eyes drifting across the area to see if there was any other evidence to be found after all this time.
Unlike the Lieutenant, Steve found himself growing nauseous, the disturbing scene so hauntingly surreal, going against his last hope that they would find the boy alive in a bunker somewhere.
Between his heart unwilling to accept the truth and his senses becoming overwhelmed with the scents and sights of death, he felt bile rising within, followed by the dizziness that had been his companion whenever things grew too close for comfort.
Deciding to yield the warning signs his body was sending, Steve took a few steps away from the pond, closer to the woods, where he found an old tree trunk to lean against for the time being.
Breathing.
He had to focus on slow, even breaths to keep his stomach contents exactly where they belonged.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Steve tried to envision a different outcome for a moment, one that included finding Kevin alive and well. One that wasn't threatening to pull him into the deep, solemn darkness he currently found himself in.
And yet, in the end, his attempts were in vain, leaving him standing there, his breaths short, shallow puffs of warm air rising into the depths of the forest, his heart pounding fiercely against his chest wall, his fight or flight instincts fully engaged after what he was forced to witness.
For many long moments he remained in the same spot, hands clenched into tight fists, repeatedly swallowing the spit forming in his mouth as he got ready to vomit.
As the physical effects of their discovery took a toll on his body, Steve never noticed Carl approach, until the illusive hermit appeared next to him, his dark brown eyes scanning him empathetically.
Then, ever so slowly, as if he was hesitant to come closer, he wrapped his arms around Steve's upper body and buried his head against the young Inspector's chest, weeping uncontrollably.