It was long past midnight.
After hours of dissecting maps, calculating supply lines, and tracing patrol routes, the team had finally dispersed into their private quarters branching off the central hall. The emergency lights in the main corridor had been dimmed to a dull, amber hum to conserve generator fuel.
In the third room on the left, Hide lay on a narrow canvas cot, staring unblinkingly at the damp concrete ceiling.
His body was exhausted down to the marrow.
Every instinct told him he needed to sleep. Yet, his eyes remained wide open.
'Tsk, tsk, tsk...'
The sound slithered through his skull.
'Look at you. Still lying on a cot like a good little boy, staring at the ceiling, pretending you belong among them.'
Hide squeezed his eyes shut, his jaw clenching until his molars ground audibly in the quiet room. He turned onto his side, pulling the coarse woolen blanket over his shoulders, trying to force his thoughts to sleep.
