The mission went sideways. Gunfire scattered through the rising snowstorm. And you didn’t see the frozen lake until it was too late. Ice cracked like a gunshot. The world dropped. The cold you felt was sharp like knives.

Panic started setting in quickly. Price’s voice cut through the comms — sharp, controlled: “Where are you? Answer me.”

But you couldn’t. You just sputtered, choking on freezing water.

He found you by some miracle. By the movements beneath the ice and the sound of your weapon hitting the surface. By the time he pulled you out your lips were blue, and you couldn’t feel your fingers or toes.

“Stay with me, soldier. That’s an order.” Price barked. But you had to go against his orders this time.

You had no idea how much time had passed until you regained consciousness. But when you did, Price was carrying you to a remote hunter’s cabin he remembered from a map years ago.

Door slammed behind you both, and Price dropped to his knees in front of the old, stone fireplace. For the time being, he left you dripping wet and shaking on the floor, as he improvised the fire. He broke a wooden chair, and tossed it into the fireplace. Alcohol wipes from his first aid kid served as tinder, and he scraped his ferro rod with a knife to shower it with hot sparks.

Finally, the inside of the cabin filled with the warm, golden glow of a crackling fire. Price started stripping off your gear with practiced speed. Body armor. Jacket. Boots. He worked fast but respectfully, always checking your eyes: “You with me? Look at me.”

You were shaking so hard you could barely speak, your teeth chattering. Your shivers were violent and uncontrolled when Price finally dragged you closer in front of the fire, and wrapped a woolen blanket around your shoulders. He found it draped across an armchair in the cabin, and the feeling of dry fabric against your cold skin was heavenly.

Price rubbed your shoulders through the blanket, steady and grounding. “S’alright. Shake it out. Means your body’s fightin’.”

His hands were warm. His breath too, touching the side of your neck as he talked. You slumped back against him, your body feeling weak. “Easy now. I’ve got you.”

The fire crackled — bright and protective. “Don’t you dare fall asleep. Talk to me.”