Carter Roy

Before they know it, the sky is empty again.

The light and the flames and the choppers drift back over the trees.

and disappear.

Betty, Vicki, and Colby are alone again, in the car, unsure what they just witnessed.

They continue their drive home, confused and scared, and before they reach their destination, they make a pact not to tell anyone what happened.

After all, who would believe them?

They can hardly believe it themselves.

Now, obviously, the cat doesn't stay in the bag forever.

I mean, we're able to talk about it now.

Their secret pact eventually gets broken, but there's a good reason for it.

And that reason is a big part of what made this case so famous.

See, Betty, Vicki, and Colby don't just bring home traumatic memories of that night.

They bring home physical trauma too, what some would consider hard evidence.

It starts that night in the car.

Even though it's the middle of winter, they end up riding home with the air conditioning on because their skin feels so hot.

It looks like they've been badly sunburned.

By 1 a.m., Betty has dropped Vicki and Colby off at home.

Vicky covers her grandson's skin in baby oil to try and soothe the pain.

The burns have already started to blister, but the blisters are just the beginning.

Vomiting and uncontrollable diarrhea starts that night too, which leads to dehydration.