Okidoki. Feels like it's been a LONG week. HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE REVIEWED SO FAR! I forgot to mention in the last chapter that the story is also lightly based on the comics about Ghost. If you haven't read then don't panic. I will tell you what happened as the story goes on…

Chapter 5: Brother

"I'm going to enjoy doing this to you English…" the voice whispered right next to me. My body choked on fear as I sat, cringing against the agony that was sure to come. A scream built up in my throat…

BZZZZSSSHHHHHHHHH!

The radio screamed in my ear as I yanked my self off the ground. My heart hammered against my ribs as I frantically scanned my surroundings. After a moment of disorientation I realized that I was still in the wood on the boundary of Makarov's estate.

"Shit" I gasped, as I attempted to slow down my rapid breathing

I glanced down at my wrists. There was no blood or marks from where the ropes that had sliced into my flesh only moments ago. The dream had been so real. So completely and utterly terrifying. I subconsciously rubbed my gloved hand over my face, in a vain effort to calm myself.

BZZZZSSSHHHHHHHHH!

My eyes moved from my wrists down to radio that was clenched so tightly in my hand, my knuckles were white. My fingers must have slipped over the volume, causing the loud static. I quickly quietened it, sliding index finger over the dial, making the static drop back down to a faint hum.

I lowered myself gingerly to the ground, holding my breath until my back made contact with the earth. I exhaled quietly as my thoughts turned back to the nightmare. I knew what had sparked it. I had been thinking about Ghost's past when I drifted off to sleep.

I subconsciously turned my head towards him. He was still alive, but he looked hauntingly pale. His breath misted above his slightly parted lips each time he exhaled. How could he look and act so normal after what had happened to him? It had only been a nightmare for me. But he had lived through that hell for months.

I groaned as I felt blood begin to dribble down my sides. The sudden movement when I woke up must have moved the cloth. Goddamnit. I gasped as I tried to ignore the awful sensation.

"Roach this is Price, come in!"

I jumped at the sudden noise, whipping my head down to stare at the radio. Price?

"Roach if you can hear me answer!"

PRICE! HE'S ALIVE! Thank god! Giddiness welled up inside me as I fumbled with the transmission button

"Price! Are you with Nikolai?" My voice was euphoric. However unease and worry ate away at my stomach. Were they ok?

"IT'S BLOODY GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU MATE!" yelled Price ecstatically. "Yeah we are. Soap is in critical condition so we're going to get him medical attention ASAP. How's Ghost?" Price asked concerned resonated in his voice.

"He's alive, but we need air support soon. He's lost a lot of blood."

"Standby." The radio fell silent for a while as Price deliberated his options. I waited patiently, listening intently to the faint static from the radio with baited breath. Every second was critical and we were running out of time. I glanced at Ghost. He needed to hold on just a little longer.

"Ok Roach" Price finally said, "I'm going to get an old friend of mine to get you guys out of there. He should be based close by. He'll bring you to where we're heading."

Questions formed in my mind. Where would we go? How were we getting there? I ignored them. If this frequency was being listened to we needed to keep our locations quiet.

"Just look after MacTavish." I replied. Anxiety grappled at my mind. MacTavish must have been badly wounded. The entire Task Force knew that he wasn't taken down easily.

"I'm trying Roach. Standby. I'll get your transport organized."

"Rodger that. Standing by"

Once again the radio was quiet allowing an eerie silence to descend into the woods. I exhaled slowly, watching a line of steam trail from my mouth, twisting and contorting in the light breeze. It was starting to get bloody cold. I suppressed a shiver, knowing that the small movement would cause me severe pain.

My attention was diverted back to my injury by the feeling of warm liquid dripping down my sides. I closed my eyes as I tried to desperately to ignore it. Dizziness rushed through me, making my head spin.

"Roach. Come in Roach!"

I opened eyes slowly. It felt like my world spinning around me. I must have lost more blood than I originally thought. I moved the radio shakily back to my lips, swallowing loudly as I resisted the urge to vomit.

"Yeah I hear you" I replied groggily into the radio. Did he get hold of his friend? And if he had, was he going to help?

"Alright. The guy is a Russian loyalist. I've helped him out of a few sticky situations in the past. I've given him your location. He should be there within an hour. Stay on this frequency!" I heard a distant whimper over the radio. My stomach somersaulted at the noise. MacTavish? "I need to deal with Soap," Price said hurriedly, "Good luck."

"Thank you Price." I replied quietly, "Take care of him".

I lowered the radio slowly to the ground, closing my eyes against the world, which was now a spinning blur. It felt like my body was being pushed and pulled in every which way, leaving me disorientated.

As time dragged on, the dizziness was starting to improve. I sighed in relief. It'd be over soon.

Finally, the spinning stopped, leaving me feeling exhausted and ill-used. I squinted blearily through my eyelashes at the, sky which was now crowded with pitch black clouds. A tiny drop of water fell onto my cheek. Of course it WOULD rain, I thought sarcastically. Murphy's Law. More heavy drops fell, landing with a slight plop on the dead leaves that covered the dusty ground.

A groan to my left made me jump. Ghost's breathing had increased to a point where he looked like he was panting. His eyes were scrunched closed and his eyebrows furrowed in pain. He must have been swaying in and out of consciousness. He'd be almost fully aware of the injury he had sustained. His face contorted, baring his teeth as the pain level climbed.

Still more drops of water fell from the sky, spattering the trees with fresh water.

"Ghost?" I wanted him to know I was here. I wanted so desperately to tell him that everything would be ok. To tell him that help would be here soon. But how do you tell someone that help is on the way, when every nerve in their body burns like wild fire? How can you tell them everything is ok while they writhe in agony? A feeling of complete helplessness enveloped me. I had to let him know somehow, that he wasn't alone.

I heaved myself over onto my belly with my arms and legs. My injury felt like it was being ripped open, tearing muscle and skin apart. I locked my jaw in defiance as I fought the impulse to yell. I began to drag my body over the hard ground, towards Ghost, reaching out to grasp his Kevlar vest. My entire body screamed in protest but I continued on, determined. I grabbed a handful of the cloth, feeling rough material slide beneath my gloved fingers. My hand remained clasped the vest, as I collapsed to the damp ground, unable to fight the terrible burning in my abdomen any longer.

At least he'd know someone was with him.

I held on for so what seemed to be an eternity. I refused to let go, when his breathing eased and his muscles finally relaxed. Even as I felt my blood draining from my body, mixing with the now water logged soil beneath, I never let go.

The rain increased with vigor, soaking my clothes, mixing my hair with the soft mud beneath my head. There was a sense of rightness about this I thought numbly as my vision flickered. Holding onto my 'brother', comforting him, letting him know that he wasn't alone.

In the distance, the dim roar of a helicopter could be heard as I faded out of consciousness. My final thoughts were of my mum and dad and the last night I spent with them before I left for the SAS. The last night I spent with them…

Phew. Major writers block this week. Can't seem to string two words together so sorry if the chapter is not as good as usual. Now before you flame me for not carrying through with the torture scene at the beginning of the chapter know that I had always intended for it to be a dream. It's a taste to Ghost's past. Possibly even a taste as to what's to come…? I PROMISE not to do many dreams (they get annoying very quickly!). For those who have played Call of Duty 4 I thought I'd add in a familiar character! I do intend to lighten the story up shortly. Anyway. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW. Anything you love/hate, tell me! And to those who have reviewed… THANKYOU! You guys rock!

IMPORTANT: I have exams in a few weeks so I'm afraid writing will be on the back burner for a while! I'll update when I've finished! Can't wait!