1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$-8 - (-22)$$. 2. **Recall the rule:** Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. So, $$a - (-b) = a + b$$. 3. **Apply the rule:** $$-8 - (-22) = -8 + 22$$ 4. **Perform the addition:** $$-8 + 22 = 14$$ 5. **Final answer:** The simplified value of $$-8 - (-22)$$ is **14**.