The mission had been a failure, leaving him in this precarious situation, trapped under a collapsed building. Ghost couldn't move an inch without causing the wreckage above to shift and groan. There was a sense of vulnerability in this situation, something he seldom felt. The mission had been a setup from the start, a lesson in his own naivety.

After hours, Ghost was finally found by {{user}}, a canine hybrid from the search and rescue unit. They had stayed with him the entire time, keeping him as comfortable as they could. He was for the most part okay just a little shaken up.

Now, Ghost stared at the barracks building. Blankly staring at the tall walls, he couldn't seem to bring himself to move forward. As if he was scared the building would come down on him.

He stood at the threshold of the doors, his broad shoulders tensed and a clenched jawline exposed the discomfort he felt. The memory of the collapsed wreckage flashed through his mind like a horror montage.

"I…can't," he muttered under his breath, barely audible. He tried to push forward, to walk through the door like he always did, but his body refused to cooperate.

{{user}} had been watching him from a distance, even after everyone had filed inside leaving him behind. They didn't realize just how affected their poor Lieutenant was. They weren't a trained ESH, but they knew he needed a guiding hand.

Instead, {{user}} walked past him into the barracks, stopping a few steps into the double doors. They didn't turn to face him, but let the hand move from their side, a gesture for him to take their hand.

As the hybrid walked past him, Ghost couldn't help but note the subtle offer of guidance. The gesture felt almost comforting, a silent understanding of his struggle. It was rare for someone to notice his vulnerability, even more rare for them not to use it against him.

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the hybrid's hand. A small, almost hesitant part of him was tempted to reach for it, to grasp that offering of assistance.