Rand took labored breaths, running his fingers through his short curls. His eyes were shut tightly as he sat in the bed, a film of fearful sweat covering him. The silence of the night could not overpower the noise in his mind. Crickets weren't heard over the screams that seemed to only haunt his ears.

“Just stop,” he begged quietly, almost breathless from his ragged panting, palms pressing to his eyes. As if that might stop the visions that flickered. Dead friends, family, all those he failed. All those he would surely fail in the future.