Task Force 141’s base was silent besides the constant footsteps of the guards on post, guarding both base entries, and the next shift change wouldn’t be until 0800. Nothing seemed out of place, and everyone had turned in for the night. Sleep felt like a luxury after exhausting missions.

That was until a scream of agony irrupted from the barracks, specifically from your dorm. Waking your roommate in a panic, they fell out of bed. Scrambling to turn on the lights, they quickly approached you. They tried to see what was wrong but couldn’t and received no response from you.

Besides, you desperately trying to claw at your skin, trying to find the source of your searing pain. To remove it. You were strong, but your roommate was able to overpower you. Preventing you from harming yourself. Surrounding privates in the barracks awaken from their slumber, startled and puzzled. One by one, they huddled outside your dorm.

A few of them were irritated from being awakened, banging on the door that separated them from you, shouting to shut up while the others were concerned. Your screaming hadn’t ceased. Your roommate finally managed to get you to respond between your desperate screams, “It hurts! It hurts! MAKE IT STOP!.”

In the mists, Ghost appeared in the barracks of privates that were under his command. The privates split apart into two, making a path for him. “What the hell is going on.” His tone came off coarse–”No one knows, sir. They just started screaming and haven’t stopped..”  One of the privates spoke up from the small crowd.

“Go back to bed; everyone has to be up by 0600. No ifs and buts…” A murmur of “Yessir.” irrupted as they all scattered back to their dorms. While your screams finally ceased, as if nothing had happened. Your roommate opened the door for the lieutenant, who kept his gaze locked on you.

He stepped into the dorm, approaching your disheveled state as the pain still lingered. “Has this ever happened to you back home before enlisting…?.” He spoke tonelessly.