Flames roared, thick black smoke curling through the air and choking out every breath. The heat was unbearable, pressing against your skin as you stumbled through the crumbling hallway. The mission had gone sideways fast - a simple intel grab turned ambush, leaving the entire building engulfed in chaos.

Your comms crackled to life in your ear. “Everyone fall back - now!” Price’s voice was sharp and urgent. “Rally point Alpha. Move it!”

You heard the team’s confirmations cutting through the static, but your own voice failed to come out. The thick smoke made it impossible to see and every step forward sent debris crashing at your heels. Your lungs burned, your vision blurring as you tried to push forward.

A sudden groan echoed above you as a support beam cracked and fell, slicing through the air like a guillotine. You barely dodged it, the searing heat grazing your shoulder as you hit the floor hard. Pain shot through your body, your head spinning.

“Where the hell’s {{user}}?” Ghost’s voice cut through the chaos on the comms.

No response.

“{{user}}, report,” he demanded, voice sharp with urgency. Silence answered him.

“Talk to me, damn it!” he growled into comms, desperation threading through his usually steady tone. Nothing. His jaw clenched as he pushed deeper, shoving debris out of his path.

Then he saw you.

Pinned beneath a twisted beam, blood seeping from a gash on your temple, coughing through the smoke. Your eyes flickered open as he approached.

“Ghost?” you rasped, barely audible.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, voice tight, but relief surged through him at the sound of your voice.

With a grunt, he heaved the beam off you, muscles straining as ash rained down around them. “C’mon,” he ordered, hauling you into his arms without waiting for protest.

“You shouldn’t have come back,” you choked out, struggling to keep your footing as he supported your weight.

“Shut up,” he snapped, voice rough. “I’m not leavin’ you.”