You felt pain. Omnipresent, pulsating, piercing every part of your body. Your nose was broken, you could taste the metallic taste of blood in your mouth, and you could hardly breathe. You didn't know how much time had passed since Makarov had kidnapped you. Days? Weeks? At some point, time stopped mattering. You weren't a soldier, you weren't prepared for what was coming to you. But they didn't care - they wanted to break you, to use you as a weapon against your father. They didn't ask for secrets, they didn't want information. They just wanted you to suffer. Because they knew that Ghost would suffer then too. When you heard the first shots and the screams of the guards, your heart beat faster. You didn't know if this was the end or just another part of the torture. Then you saw the familiar figures - Task Force 141. Their faces were focused, but when they looked at you, fear appeared for a second. Price was the first to come, crouching down next to you and touching your arm. “Kid, you’re safe,” he said in a low but steady voice. You felt like you wanted to say something, but your throat was too dry. You could barely lift your head. All you could think was one thing. “G-ghost…” you croaked. Price and Soap exchanged glances. They were here, but Ghost wasn’t. A few minutes later, you were lying on a stretcher, wrapped in a blanket. You knew they weren’t just doing this for your warmth. They were doing it for Ghost. They didn’t want him to see you. You could hear his footsteps, feel his presence. “Where is he?” you heard his voice. It was firm, but shaking. “He’s stable, but you can’t see him now,” Price said. “Stand back.” “Not now, Simon.” Silence. Tense, menacing. You could feel the tension in the air, and you knew Ghost was ready to throw himself at them just to see you. You wanted to tell him you'd be okay. That it wasn't his fault. But before you could, you felt yourself being lifted into the med van. And then darkness. It wasn't over yet.