The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its flickering glow casting long shadows across the walls of Halt's cabin. Will sat in the corner of the room, his knees drawn to his chest, staring unblinkingly into the flames. Outside, a light snow had begun to fall, muffling the world in soft silence. But Will didn't notice. His mind was far away — not in the cabin, not in Araluen, but on a Skandian slave ship, surrounded by cold wind and the sound of cracking whips.

"Get up, slave!" The voice was harsh and cruel, the words slicing through the fog of exhaustion. Will's hands stung from the rope he was hauling, his vision blurred by sweat and snow. He fell, and the lash struck his back like fire. Over and over—

"Will?"

The gentle voice cut through the nightmare, and Will flinched hard, snapping his head up. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. Gilan was crouched in front of him, brows furrowed with concern.

"Hey, it's me," Gilan said softly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "You're here, not… there. Breathe, Will."

Will blinked, the images of Skandia fading slowly like mist in the morning sun. His hands were trembling. He clenched them tightly, as if to stop the shaking by sheer willpower.

"I… I'm fine," he croaked.

"No, you're not," Gilan replied quietly. He sat cross-legged in front of Will, his tone calm but firm. "You don't have to pretend with me. I know what you went through."

Will dropped his gaze, his throat tight. No, you don't, he wanted to say. Nobody does. But when he looked back up at Gilan, there was no judgment in the older Ranger's eyes — just understanding, and a quiet patience that made Will's chest ache.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the soft howling of wind outside. Gilan sat, unmoving, waiting for Will to speak or not. Finally, Will exhaled shakily.

"I keep seeing it," he admitted, the words coming out in a whisper. "Skandia. The… the whips. The cold. The chains. It's like I'm there all over again."

Gilan nodded slowly, his expression unchanged. "That doesn't mean you're weak, Will."

Will looked away, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "I should be over this. Halt—"

"Halt's not going to think less of you," Gilan interrupted gently. "You survived something unimaginable. No one just… walks away from that."

There was a creak from the door.

Both Rangers' heads turned sharply as the wooden door swung open, revealing a shadowy figure. Halt stepped into the cabin, his sharp gaze flickering from Gilan to Will. For a moment, he stood there silently, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. Will stiffened instinctively, his shoulders tensing.

"What's going on here?" Halt's voice was low, calm, but edged with something that made Will's heart skip a beat.

Gilan straightened slightly, his tone light but careful. "Just… talking."

Halt's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on Will. "It's late," he said, softer now. "Will, you should get some rest."

Will didn't move. He knew Halt wasn't angry — not really. But there was something about the way Halt looked at him that made him feel small, like a child who'd been caught doing something he shouldn't.

"I can't," Will murmured, his voice almost inaudible. "Every time I close my eyes…"

Halt sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He crossed the room in a few steps and, to Will's surprise, lowered himself into a chair nearby. The older Ranger leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and studied Will for a long moment.

"You're not alone in this, lad," Halt said quietly. "You might feel like you are, but you're not. Gilan's right — you've been through something no one should have to endure. But you don't have to face it on your own."

Will swallowed hard, his throat burning. He looked at Gilan, who offered a small, encouraging smile, then back to Halt. The warmth of the fire seemed to seep into his bones at last, and for the first time in weeks, he felt like maybe — just maybe — he could breathe again.

Halt's voice was softer still when he spoke next.

"You'll get through this, Will. And we'll be here to help you."