The morning dawned, bright and clear, the heavy purple storm clouds which had threatened the night before had long since gone. Slowly the sun began to peak above the horizon, and the normally comforting light following the chill of night sent tremors of terror down the spines of the weary scouts as they scrambled to their feet, screams replacing words. Within seconds of the first scream splitting the air, the camp erupted into a hive of activity, soldiers streaming out of their tents, blearily blinking into the light of day, only to freeze where they stood.
Faces turned upwards to stare mutely and silently at the red mark slowly stretching its way across the sun. The commander tilted his head towards a subordinate, his single eye not moving from the encroaching smear.
"Go contact the Sergeant. Can't wait any longer."
"No."
"James."
Blankets carefully parted allowing a single eye, screwed up against the painful light taking in the forms of the two women staring at him.
"I said no more," he informed them, already feeling the fruitlessness of his half-hearted endeavour increase as Natasha's eyebrow raised up.
"You can't make me," he tried again, meeting a stare that braver men had fled from, from Maria.
"You're right," Natasha conceded suddenly, prompting surprised blinks from the pair of them. "I can physically drag you down there, stick you up on that platform and watch as all those soldiers stare at you because we need you right now. But I can't make you teach. And that's what we need right now."
"Fine," James grumbled, rolling out of bed and scrabbling underneath the bed for his boots, "You didn't have to be so you about it though."
It was dark and cold and felt like greeting an old friend, all awkwardness and uncertainty fading away from him as he righted himself, feet hitting what solid ground thought it felt like.
One hand raised, blood still oozing from the shallow cut, he began to chant, the familiar fear beginning to creep up his spine as something's out there noticed him. It charged across the darkness towards the glimmer of light, gaining closer and closer and then-
Something grabbed his hand.