1. **State the problem:** Find the distance between the points $(-3, 6)$ and $(-8, -6)$.\n\n2. **Formula:** The distance $d$ between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by the distance formula:\n$$d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$$\nThis formula comes from the Pythagorean theorem, where the difference in $x$ and $y$ coordinates form the legs of a right triangle.\n\n3. **Substitute values:**\n$$d = \sqrt{(-8 - (-3))^2 + (-6 - 6)^2} = \sqrt{(-8 + 3)^2 + (-12)^2} = \sqrt{(-5)^2 + (-12)^2}$$\n\n4. **Simplify:**\n$$d = \sqrt{25 + 144} = \sqrt{169}$$\n\n5. **Final answer:**\n$$d = 13$$\n\nThe distance between the points $(-3, 6)$ and $(-8, -6)$ is $13$.