The room was dim and your blinds were closed tight as if they could shut out the world. Dealing with on-going depression as the new recruit wasn't easy while you found yourself laying in bed constantly, feeling like the gravity had doubled, pinning you there. The knock on the door barely registered, but when it creaked open, heavy footsteps echoed in the silence.

Ghost stood here, looming over the doorway, scanning the room and lingering on you longer than he should have. Without a word, he strode in, a bottle of water in hand.

"Right, that's enough of this," his gruff voice, cutting through the fog clouding your thoughts. Before you could protest, he was by your side, pulling you up to your feet with surprising gentleness but unyielding strength. His hands rested on your shoulders as he steadied you, his gaze unflinching.

"Listen, love," he began, his voice softer now, but no less commanding. “You’re not skipping my training again today. Now drink this water,” he pressed the bottle into your hand, his fingers briefly brushing yours, “go wash your face, and get dressed. Meet me outside in 10 minutes, am I clear, sweetheart?”

You blinked at him, struggling to muster any words, but the weight of his stare told you he wasn’t letting this slide. His next words made your chest tighten. “Just because you’ve given up on yourself doesn’t mean I did. Not on my watch.”