Chapter 218 of All the Colors of the Dark sees Saint driving twenty miles from Monta Clare, passing scenic vineyards and bustling fruit stands along the way. She eventually arrives at the Shaw house, a place that evokes memories of her childhood, particularly of her piano lessons. Across the street stands the Nix house, simple yet well-maintained, with its freshly painted white exterior and a porch that gleams in the summer sunlight. As Saint takes in her surroundings, the thick summer air wraps around her, and she pauses to admire a pristine okame cherry tree. She inhales deeply, preparing herself for the task ahead, before drawing her gun with determination. The house looms ahead, and the memories associated with it weigh heavily on her mind, adding emotional layers to her mission.

Saint carefully inspects the area, her footsteps crunching the gravel as she moves toward the back of the house. The beauty of the landscape stretches out before her, with distant canola fields in bloom, empty stables standing quietly, and a riding mower left abandoned in the shade. As she approaches the kitchen door, she is surprised to find it unlocked, and without hesitation, she steps inside. For a moment, she loses herself in the role she must play, calling out for the Chief, a lapse that makes her briefly forget the seriousness of her duties. The kitchen, with its outdated yet meticulously clean decor, doesn’t provide any immediate answers, so she instinctively moves down a hallway, propelled by a sense of urgency.

The hallway leads her into a bright den, its deep synthetic shag carpet contrasting with the simple furnishings. Vases filled with wildflowers, carefully picked from the property, add a touch of life to the otherwise quiet room. As she surveys the space, she notices three guest-ready bedrooms, all unoccupied, but an unsettling feeling begins to creep in when she hears the faint sound of water running in the bathroom. Her instincts sharpen, and with her gun at the ready, she gently opens the bathroom door. The sound of the water flows softly, but the sensation of unease lingers, urging her to remain vigilant in the uncertain situation.

After stepping out of the bathroom, Saint takes a moment to gather herself in the open air, feeling the sun’s warmth as she walks toward the stables. The sight of Nix, cheerfully working with a shovel and flashing a smile, immediately captures her attention. Nearby, hay bales are stacked by the door, while horses graze contentedly in the distance. Despite the physical distance between them, Saint steadies her gun on him, the weight of their shared history settling in her heart. Nix’s comment, “Just like I taught you,” underscores the deep bond they share—a bond that, despite its complexities, is rooted in love. Even as she remains focused on him, there’s a profound connection that endures, transcending the years and the emotional distance that now separates them.

Saint’s journey through the familiar yet emotionally charged landscape is marked by a sense of tension and nostalgia. The house and surroundings bring back memories, some pleasant, others filled with pain, but they all tie back to a life she once knew. Each step Saint takes, from the kitchen to the bathroom to the stables, reflects her methodical approach to the situation, yet it’s clear that the emotional weight of her past is always present, affecting her judgment. As the narrative unfolds, Saint is not just navigating the physical space but also grappling with the emotional terrain of her history with Nix. Their connection, both tender and complicated, serves as a reminder of the layers of their shared past, which continues to influence their present actions. The tension between their unresolved feelings and the task at hand creates a powerful undercurrent of emotion, driving the plot forward as Saint moves closer to confronting the complexities of their relationship.