Angstober 2025

[angstober]

Welcome to the 6th year of Angstober! We're delighted to unveil the prompts for this year of angsty, spooky fun.

What is Angstober?

Angstober is a yearly October challenge with 31 angst-themed prompts to inspire you to create. The challenge is open to all sorts of creative work - writing, art, edits, whatever you want - in whatever medium you want. Original work or fanworks? Whatever you feel inspired for!

.

How do I take part?

Tag your works with #angstober or #angstober2025 and the day of the prompt (e.g., #day 01) to share on tumblr. Feel free to @ us directly in the post as well! To share your work on AO3, add it to the Angstober 2025 collection.

You can post your works whenever - early or late - and use as many or as few prompts as you feel inspired for! We'll do our best to reblog as many works to the @angstober blog as we can.

.

Are there any other rules or limitations?

No. We do not limit what you can create. Angst can include some darker topics. We do ask you tag your work appropriately.

.

This year we have alternate prompts!

Not feeling a prompt? Wanting to do more? Switch it for one of our alternate prompts.

.

Is there a banner to post my work with?

Of course.

Prompt List

Wrong Choice

Uncertain

"Of Course It's You."

Still Remember

"Wait . . ."

Fatal Flaw

Gravity

Unidentifiable

Lie

Doesn't Feel Like Home

What You Deserve

Hollow

Skeleton in the Closet

"This Has Nothing to Do with You."

In Limbo

Not Anymore

Tunnel Vision

Hypocrite

Ruined

A Losing Bet

"You Promised."

Illusion of Choice

Staying Silent

Lonely in a Crowd

On Your Knees

Getting Cold

Worth It

Eleventh Hour

Picking Up the Pieces

Last Chance

Close the Door

Alternate Prompts:

Do You?

This is Your Home Now

Old Scars

Your Ghost Wears My Sins

The Clock Lied

[angstober]

Shout Outs to Our Completionists

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

There are the people who did 31 prompts. Click on their names to see either their tumblrs or their AO3 pages and check out their work.

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

Autobot2001

guardiandua91

Lilulicious

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

Congratulations everyone!

[angstober]

Shout Outs to Our Completionists

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

There are the people who did 31 prompts. Click on their names to see either their tumblrs or their AO3 pages and check out their work.

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

Autobot2001

guardiandua91

Lilulicious

--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

Congratulations everyone!

[angstober]

It's the end. Did you do 31 prompts? We're doing some shout outs. Fill out form and let us know:

Angstober 2025

[angstober]

It's the end. Did you do 31 prompts? We're doing some shout outs. Fill out form and let us know:

Angstober 2025

[angstober]

It's the end. Did you do 31 prompts? We're doing some shout outs. Fill out form and let us know:

Angstober 2025

[angstober]

It's the end. Did you do 31 prompts? We're doing some shout outs. Fill out form and let us know:

Angstober 2025

[hollowmem]

Angstober Day 31: Close the door

✦ Characters: GN!Reader x Task Force 141

✦ Words Count: 362

✦ Prompt: Close the door

Have fun and take care of yourself. Hope you all had fun reading all the angstober stories!

╰› Masterlist

The briefing room was quiet. Too quiet.

Y/N stood in front of the table, uniform still stained with soot and dirt from the mission that went wrong. The others were already there — Ghost silent in the corner, Soap shifting restlessly, Gaz’s jaw clenched tight. And Price, standing at the head of the table with that look that said everything before he even opened his mouth.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Soap muttered, low but firm. Price’s gaze flicked toward him. “Johnny.” The warning was enough to shut him up.

Y/N swallowed hard. “You can say it, Captain. I disobeyed orders.”

Price exhaled through his nose, stepping closer. “You saved those civilians. But you lost a man in the process. Command wants someone to take the fall.”

The words hit harder than any bullet could. “So that’s it?” Y/N’s voice cracked before they could stop it. “One mistake, and I’m done?”

Price’s expression softened for a second — just a second — before he looked away. “I don’t make the rules.”

No one moved. The only sound was the ticking of the old clock on the wall. Soap looked like he wanted to say something, Ghost’s eyes stayed fixed on the floor. Gaz’s fists were balled so tight his knuckles were white.

Finally, Price nodded toward the door. “You’re to clear your gear and hand in your badge. Effective immediately.”

The words hung heavy in the air. Y/N’s throat felt tight as they grabbed their pack, moving past the others. Soap’s lips parted like he wanted to stop them, but no words came.

When they reached the door, Y/N turned back, eyes glassy. “It was worth it, though,” they said quietly. “Saving those people.”

Price’s voice was low, almost a whisper. “Aye. But not to them.”

Y/N nodded once. Then they stepped out.

“Y/N,” Price called after them.

They stopped in the doorway.

He didn’t meet their eyes. “Close the door behind you.”

The click echoed through the room, final and cold. Soap cursed under his breath, slamming his fist into the wall. Gaz turned away. Ghost stayed still, eyes fixed on the door that wouldn’t open again.

And for the first time, TF141 felt smaller.

[laurawriteberry]

Close The Door

Ever since a curse was placed on the small town, the residents knew not to be outside during a full moon. The bodies littered around town the next day was enough to strike fear into them, not wanting to tempt fate. Families had lost sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunties, even grandparents, while others lost friends, colleagues, members of the community. All the residents knew at least one person who had fallen victim to Them. The pain of their loss lessened, but their vengeance grew with each body.

Various rumours had spread throughout the years about what They were, but since there were no survivors, it was all hearsay. Some claimed They had large, pointy teeth. Others claimed They had several heads or limbs. Some claimed They were like animals, pouncing on several legs. Others claimed They were humanlike in appearance, but contorted to kill their victims.

Skye ensured she didn't make plans on a full moon, vowing to stay inside, where it was safe. But Joe, her university friend, decided a full moon was the perfect time to go and visit her. She stood in surprise at seeing him, then slammed the door in his face, grabbed a glass of water, opened the door and threw it in his face.

He spluttered, wiping his face, before saying, "weird way to greet someone."

"Sorry," she said, yanking him inside and bolting the front door closed. "There's a curse on the town, so full moons make us all on edge."

Joe raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

"We don't know who cursed us, but if you're outside on a full moon, They will hunt you down and kill you."

"They? Who are They?"

"Nobody knows what They are. There haven't been any survivors."

"Then how-"

"The dead bodies that always appear the next day."

"How do you know it's not a serial killer?"

"The injuries don't make any sense."

"Hm."

"I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm not risking my life, and neither should you."

"Oh, c'mon. You can't let a full moon stop you from living."

"Joe. Keep the door closed."

"But-"

"I'm serious. I've closed the door to keep Them out."

"You're overreacting."

"You'll see tomorrow."

---

Skye woke up to see Joe dozing on the couch. She wanted to wake him, to show him the bodies, but she hated seeing them herself. Why expose someone else to that?

Just as she unbolted the front door, he woke up, looking at her while still dazed. "What's going on? Where are you going?"

"To grab us breakfast."

"I'll come."

"No! Stay here."

"Why?"

"Trust me, you don't wanna see the dead bodies."

Joe scoffed. "You can't be serious. There aren't any dead bodies."

"Joe-"

"Gimme five mins and I'll be ready."

Skye sighed, but nodded, giving him a chance to get ready. To his credit, he did get dressed in five minutes. Nodding at her, they left and started their walk through town. It didn't take long to find dead bodies. A group of girls had been torn apart, pieces of their bodies strewn across the street. Joe froze, then turned and gagged. Skye had seen this happen too many times over the years that she pulled out the bin bag and started putting the body parts inside.

"What are you doing?!" asked Joe.

"This is what we do. We help clean up the bodies afterwards, then bring them to the burial ground where all the victims are put to rest."

"You... you pick them up?!"

"I told you to stay back at mine."

"I-" he paused. "Okay, y'know what? Fuck this! How can you live here?!"

"I don't have another choice. It's my hometown. These are my people. We don't leave."

"But-"

"You can. You can leave and never come back. But I can't. Not forever."

Joe looked at her, and for once, she felt really seen. But he took a step back involuntarily, his eyes clouded. Another one who didn't understand. None of them ever would. How can you understand living through a nightmare when you don't?

[autobot2001]

October 2025 Writing Masterlist

31 prompt fills for @ailesswhumptober, @whumptober-archive, @angstober, @flufftober & @fictober-event. Prompt fills are in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Transformers (Bayverse) fandoms. Under the cut

Mini stories combining prompts; The Game of Cat and Mouse Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Days 6, 13, 23 whumptober-archive: Days 6, 13 angstober: Days  6, 13 flufftober: Days 6 fictober-event: Day 6. Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Description: A betrayal leads to a new foe.

A Tight Hold Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: 14, whumptober-archive: 14, angstober: 14 & 26, flufftober: 14, 15, 26, fictober-event: 14 Rating: G Warning: None Description: Alejandro worries about Jamie after the two are separated from the rest of Task Force 141, and she's injured.

A New Family Prompts used: Rating: G Warning: None Description: A rumored experiment results in Task Force 141 helping a hybrid.

The Hidden Scars Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Day 27, 28, 29. whumptober-archive: Day 27, 28, 29. angstober: Day 27, 28, 29. flufftober: Day 27, 28, 29. fictober-event: Day 27, 28, 29 Rating: T Warnings: Self-harm, poor mental health Description: Jamie's current mental state is a serious concern for Task Force 141.

Individual prompt fills;

Day 1.1: The Rescue Prompts used: ailesswhumptober:  Contusion whumptober-archive: "Please don't cry." angstober: Wrong choice Fandom: Transformers (Batverse) Rating: T Warning: None Description: Jamie is captured and refuses to give any information on Task Force 141.

Day 1.2: Gathering Prompts used: flufftober: Annibersery fictober-event: "Just take my hand." Fandom: Transformers (Bayverse), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jamie is distracted, remembering painful anniversaries, until Drift takes her to a gathering of some of her friends.

Day 2.1: A Rookie Move Prompts used:ailesswhumptober: Gunshot, "It's not worth your life!" whumptober-archive: “You’ve got a lot of nerve to dredge up all my fears.”angstober: Uncertain Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Jamie does something that only a rookie would be foolish to do.

Day 2.2: Pet Sitting Prompts used: flufftober: Pet sitting fictober-event: "This is new." Fandom: Transformers (Bayverse) Rating: G Warning: None Description: Sunstreaker pet sits for Lily.

Day 3: Here For You Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: alt 7 Memory trigger whumptober-archive: Isolation | Candlelight | Found Family angstober: "Of course it's you." flufftober: Alt 13. Caught in the Rain fictober-event: "I don't need a reason." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Task Force 141 and Jamie are at a safe house after a mission.

Day 4: Reflections of a Mission Gone Wrong Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Frostbite, "I can make it all better." whumptober-archive: Alt 16; "Hold my hand." angstober: Still remember. flufftober: Alt 4. Hoodie Weather. fictober-event: "Can you hold me?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: While preparing for a mission on a mountain, Soap recalls a previous mission on the same mountain with Jamie.

Day 5: Change of Plans Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Torture whumptober-archive: Quivering. angstober: "Wait…" flufftober: Early Morning Walks fictober-event: "But you promised." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: The torture of nightmares. Too tired for an early morning walk

Day 6: The Knife's Edge Prompts used: Ailesswhumptober: Self-inflicted injury, Rocky recovery. Whumptober-archive: Pinned to the Wall. Angstober: Fatal flaw. Flufftober: Alt 21. Fireman’s Carry. Fictober-event: "This is annoying." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Description: After a mission goes wrong and a betrayal takes place, the team worries about Jamie.

Day 7: Bad Breakfast Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Foodborne illness whumptober-archive: Elevator. angstober: Do you flufftober: Alt 20: "I've got you." fictober-event: "You'll have to try harder than this." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jamie has food poisoning.

Day 8.1: A Bigger Problem? Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Hit and run angstober: Unidentifiable Fandom: Transformers Rating: G Warning: None Description: A hit-and-run case.

Day 8.2: The Weight of Being Right Prompts used: Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm. Description: Jamie's mental health

Day 9: Home Away From Home Prompts used: whumptober-archive: “We’ll make it alright to come undone.”, Touch. angstober: Lie. flufftober: Coming Home. fictober-event: "They didn't even touch it!" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Jamie comes home to Task Force 141 after a rough week in her home dimension.

Day 10: A Difficult Situation Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: "What were you thinking?" whumptober-archive: “There’s nothing you can ever say, nothing you can ever do.” angstober: Doesn't feel like home. flufftober: Set up by Friends. fictober-event: "I'm here, am I not?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm, poor mental state Description: Jamie is self-harming, and friends are concerned. Nikolai has an idea to get her to relax.

Day 11: Three Days of Silence Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Sleep deprivation whumptober-archive: Hidden Injury. angstober: What you deserve flufftober: “Double or nothing?” fictober-event: "Stupider people than us have done this." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jamie gets hurt on a mission, but she disregards her injury.

Day 12: Neglecting Needs Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Dizziness, “Don’t pass out on me.” whumptober-archive: "Oh, oh." angstober: Hollow flufftober: Blizzard. fictober-event: "Does this help you?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: At a safe house after a successful mission.

Day 13.1: Roman's Trap Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Tranquilizer, "I trusted you!" whumptober-archive: Never Enough |Insignia angstober: Skeleton in the closet skeleton in the closetFandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Old memories brought to light.

Day 13.2: Halloween Party Prompts used: flufftober: Hosting a Holiday Event fictober-event: "It's a balance." Fandom: Transformers Rating: G Warning: None Description: A Halloween party.

Day 14: Frustration Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Unconsciousness, "Look who's awake."whumptober-archive: “In the end, it’s worthwhile.” angstober: "This Has Nothing to Do with You." flufftober: Stuck or Lost Together fictober-event: "Do we have a plan?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Alejandro and Jamie are lost in the woods after being separated from the others.

Day 15.1: Consequences of Waiting Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: alt 4; Chronic condition whumptober-archive: “You can take a break if you just tell me that it hurts.”angstober: In limbo. fictober-event: "It's rather complicated." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Laswell and Price realize they've made a mistake.

Day 15.2: A Temporary Refuge Prompt used: flufftober: Alt 5; only one bed Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Alejandro and Jamie find Shelter, with only one bed.

Day 16: Repressed Trauma Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: "Hold them down." whumptober-archive: Repressed Trauma. angstober: Not anymore flufftober: Pillows, Plushies, Piles of Blankets. fictober-event: "I will never forget this." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Helping Jamie relax.

Day 17: Head Injury Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: "It's fine, I can walk it off." whumptober-archive: Alt 4; Concussion, angstober: Tunnel vision, flufftober: Alt 12; Keeping someone safe, fictober-event: "You're not alone." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jamie ends up with a concussion during a mission/

Day 18: Jealous Mech Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Alt 9; "This isn't how I wanted you to find out."whumptober-archive: Alt 8; Jealously, angstober: Hypocrite,flufftober: “Is this seat taken?” - “That depends…” fictober-event: "I think I see it." Fandom: Transformers Rating: G Warning: None Description: Sunstreaker is jealous seeing Lily talking to another boy.

Day 19: Wounded Confessions Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: "When I finish patching you up, I swear to god I'm gonna kick your ass for making me worry about you."whumptober-archive: Alt 12; Yearning angstober: Ruined. flufftober: Fake Relationship fictober-event: "Yes, I missed this." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jamie's confession to Ghost while hiding and i

Day 20: A Risky Rescue Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Secrets, whumptober-archive: Alt 10; Ziptie, angstober: Alt 2; This is your home now, flufftober: Risky Rescue Mission, fictober-event: "Trust me, this will work." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: A mission to rescue an experiment from a lab.

Day 21: A Complicated Situation Prompts used: ailesswhumptober:  No-win scenario whumptober-archive: Brainwashed, angstober:  "You promised."flufftober: punkin carving, fictober-event: "Just be honest." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Concerns about Layla.

Day 22.1: Trauma Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: “Who did this to you?!” whumptober-archive: Hunted for Sport, angstober: Illusion of choice, fictober-event: "And how did that work out?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Layla's burn.

Day 22.2: A Month's Turn Prompt used: flufftober: Polar Opposites Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Layla's recovery. Continued from 22.1

Day 23.1: New Friends Prompts used: whumptober-archive: unreality, angstober: Staying silent, flufftober: Group Hug, fictober-event: "I believe in us." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Laya struggles with her new life. Thinking it's a dream.

Day 23.2: Obsession Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Restraints, Obsession, “Aren’t you feisty?” Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: Roman captures Jamie.

Day 24: The Weight of What's Forgotten Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Denial, whumptober-archive: Amnesia, angstober: Lonely in a crowd,flufftober: Letters, fictober-event: "There's not enough time." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Soap survives being shot in the head. Doesn't remember anything,

Day 25: Found, but is it Too Late? Prompts used: Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: None Description: A man is seriously injured and left to die. Task Force 141 finds him.

Day 26.1: A Foe's Return Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Alt 10; “Get yourself out of here! I’ll be fine.” whumptober-archive: Alt 2; “I hear you’re alive, how disappointing.”fictober-event: "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Jadin returns.

Day 26.2: Radio Silence and the Cold Prompts used: angstober: Getting cold flufftober: Alt 25; I’m cold” – “Here, have my jacket” & 25. Cold hands Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Alejandro continues to worry about Jamie.

Day 27: Is It Worth Breaking Our Hearts? Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: "Don't pretend to understand." whumptober-archive: Suicide, angstober: Worth it, flufftober: Meeting in the Middle, fictober-event: "Why would they do this?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm, poor mental health Description: Jamie has had enough. Price tries to help her.

Day 28: The Price of Protocol Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Hospital/Doctor’s visit whumptober-archive: “I could always see straight through you.” angstober: Eleventh hour, flufftober: “Is that my hoodie?” - “… No?” fictober-event: "I'm not lost!" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Description: Price checks on Jamie. A stolen hoodie hides something serious.

Day 29: Risks Taken Prompts used: Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Description: Nikolai finds soldiers trash-talking to Jamie.

Day 30: Injured Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Cleaning injuries, Labored breathing, “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”, whumptober-archive: Confrontation, angstober: Last chance, flufftober:. “I hate you” – “I love you too”, fictober-event: "Do you trust me?" Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Soap finds Jamie injured.

Day 31: Three Days of Hell Prompts used: ailesswhumptober: Alt 6; Blinded whumptober-archive: Gunshot Wound, angstober: Close the door flufftober: “Stay?” fictober-event: "I still love you." Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Description: Ghost worries about Jamie after she's shot.

[autobot2001]

The Hidden Scars

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warnings: Self-harm, poor mental health Pairing: None Description: Jamie's current mental state is a serious concern for Task Force 141.

Combining; @ailesswhumptober: 27, 28, 29 @whumptober-archive: 27, 28, 29 @angstober: 27, 28, 29 @flufftober: 27, 28, 29 @fictober-event: 27, 28, 29

Under the cut

“Why could they do this?” Soap asks, looking at the destroyed punching bag. The room is silent until Price realizes something. “shit.” He runs out of the room, leaving Soap alone in the room, confused.

Price barges into Jamie’s room, seeing that she has already cut her wrist, and has the knife at her neck. With her unaware of his presence, he takes the chance, rushing toward her and grabbing the knife. He tosses the knife across the room. “Let me go!” Jamie argues. Price picks up the smaller woman and carries her into the bathroom.

Price closes the door and sets Jamie on the counter. He grabs the first aid kit from the drawer. He sets the kit on the counter and looks at the cut, relieved it’s not deep. He cleans the cut. Jamie tries to pull her arm away as the antiseptic stings. “Hold still.” Price finishes cleaning the cut. He wraps her arm in gauze and carries Jamie out of the bathroom.

Price sits on the bed with Jamie on his lap. “Why would you do that?” “Don’t pretend to understand!” With that, Price understands what’s going through Jamie’s mind. She’s not thinking straight. “You know damn well we all care about you,” Price argues, trying to stay calm. “We’re family here. Is it worth breaking our hearts that you’re gone?” The room is silent as Price thinks about what to say next. Jamie doesn’t try to get away from him. “I know you are used to being alone when we don’t have debriefing or missions, but you’re making it harder for me to let you be alone. Plus, it would be better if you were with everyone else more.” Price thinks of a solution. He never wants to make Jamie feel like a prisoner, nor does he want to end the agreement he has with the Autobots. He knows they’d understand it’s for Jamie’s safety, but he knows to Jamie, it would be friends abandoning her. He sighs, frustrated. “You know damn well I’m supposed to be ending the agreement. Heck, you understand this agreement isn’t supposed to be a thing.” Jamie says nothing. “I want you to spend more time with the others. I don’t want to make you be with someone, to be babysat, or to end the agreement. Can you do that?” Jamie nods. Price doesn’t believe she’s being honest. Hating, only time will tell.

Price took all of Jamie's knives away. He leaves her alone to talk to the others. Aware that this is another foolish idea.

He panics when he doesn't see Jamie in her room. No one has seen her around the base. As Price walks down the hall, he spots Jamie walking out of his room. He runs toward her.

"Is that my hoodie?" Price asks "…No?" "Why do you look lost?" "I'm not lost!" Price looks at Jamie, knowing the look all too well. "What are you hiding?" Price worries he made a mistake leaving her alone as he realizes what she could have done to herself. He leads her into his room.

"What are you hiding?" He asks again. Jamie still claims she's not hiding anything. He can see hints of her in pain. He tries to pull the hoodie off. Adding to Jamie's pain. Price successfully pulls the hoodie over Jamie's head. Her shirt rises, revealing something horrifying. Price tosses the hoodie on the bed and looks at Jamie's abdomen. He can't believe she burned herself. Saying nothing, Price picks Jamie up and carries her out of the room. At this point, Jamie is in too much pain to protest. Price knows Jamie has healing abilities, but he also knows she's not in the right state of mind.

The medic who walks into the room can't believe what they're seeing. The medics know Jamie has powers, and seeing a self-inflicted burn concerns the medics. The medic injects a sedative, knowing Jamie will fight them. "This isn't serious," the medic says. "It won't leave a scar." They leave the room to get supplies. Price knows the medic is right about the burn, but the situation is serious. Jamie stares at him, relaxed from the sedative. The medic walks in and tends to the burn. Price watches, uncertain what to do. He knows what he's supposed to do, and he hates it.

"Where did they go?" Price asks, worried. Everyone knows about the incident yesterday. "Let me find her," Nikolai insists.

"How the hell are you a soldier? You're weak." Nikolai sees three soldiers surrounding Jmaie. "Enough!" Nikolai yells. The three soldiers stop talking and look at the pissed Russian. "What kind of soldiers trash-talk to another?" "I didn't mean to-" "Bullshit, you knew exactly what you were doing!" The three soldiers look guilty. Nikolai doesn't realize Jamie walked away as he's scolding the soldiers. "Uh, Nik-" "Don't interrupt!" "Nikolai! She walked away!" One of the other soldiers yells. The Russian is pisssed at the soldier's tone, but he knows leaving Jamie alone right now is not a good idea. He runs down the hall.

Nikolai runs into Jamie's room and finds her in the bathroom. The mirror shattered. He rushes in and grabs her wrist. He sees blood going down her hand. He sighs and gets the first aid kit, pulling Jamie out of the room. Nikolai sits her on the bed and begins cleaning the cuts on her hand. He knows Price won't like hearing what happened. Once the cuts are taken care of, Nikolai lies on the bed with Jamie. He has her head on his chest and his arm around her. Nikolai says nothing. He wants Jamie to relax.

Once Jamie is asleep, Nikolai is in the bathroom picking up the pieces of the mirror. He throws the pieces in the trash, sits on the bed, and sighs. He looks at Jamie. She looks peaceful while sleeping. If it weren't for her hand, it would be hard to believe what happened before she fell asleep. “I hope you see the sun someday in the darkness. Wish you would while with us and your other friends." He takes out his phone. Nikolai: I found Jamie. She's asleep. We'll talk later. Price: ok.

Price sits at his desk and sighs. He has a bad feeling about the conversation with Nikolai.

"What the..?" Soap asks, before laughing with Gaz. Price smiles. Ghost smile sunder his balaclava. The three never thought Jamie would steal Nikolai's jacket, nor would they think he'd play along and steal her hoodie. "At least her hoodie fits you," Soap smirks. "Yeah, because she's weird and likes her hoodies being way too big," Gaz says. "Yet she doesn't like wearing dresses." Soap laughs at the comment. Nikolai sits on the couch and pulls Jamie onto his lap. The sleeves of Nikolai's jacket hides Jamie's bandaged hand.

Nikolai spent the rest of the day with Jamie, who didn't mind. Nikolai didn't think Price would enter Jamie's room. "I was about to go to your office," Nikolai whispers. "Show me what she did." Nikolai sighs and shows Price Jamie's bandaged hand. "She smashed the mirror in the bathroom." Price sighs. "I don't know what to do. I know what I'm supposed to do…" "I know. She needs support, but being here is becoming dangerous." "And the deal I made with her is already backfiring. I hate that she needs to be watched, but it's also good for her to be with friends more." "We should talk to the others." Price knows Nikolai is right. The two leave the room.

Price calling a meeting at nine at night suggested something was amiss. In addition to not calling everyone at the base to the meeting. Only those who know Jamie well. "What did she do now?" Soap asks. Everyone hates hearing what Jamie did. They know what Price is supposed to be doing, and understand why he can't. They don't want to see her discharged either. Price tells them what he decided and told Jamie, hoping to meet in the middle and help her. The challenge is protecting her without making Jamie feel overly restricted. "You should have told us," Alejandro says. "She's our friend too. We can help." Everyone else agrees. They know Jamie's outbursts of self-harm are temporary, but a problem every time she comes back from her dimension.

[autobot2001]

A New Family

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Pairing: None Description: A rumored experiment results in Task Force 141 helping a hybrid.

Combining; @ailesswhumptober: 20, 21, 22 @whumptober-archive: 20, 21, 22, 23 @angstober: 20, 21, 22, 23 @flufftober: 20, 21, 22, 23 @fictober-event: 20, 21, 22, 23

Under the cut

“Rumor is that this lab is doing unethical experimenting,” Laswell explains. “One rumor circulating suggests the lab attempts to realize the fictional concept of hybrids. Some people say this is new. Others claim it’s been around for years. The lab says they are researching vaccines. Some do have valid reasoning to argue that the vaccine claim is a lie. This lab has yet to produce a single vaccine. The argument about research taking time is valid to scientists.” “No matter how long they’ve been ‘researching’ without producing a vaccine?” Price asks. “Yes. This lab has been researching for twenty-five years. I question it, but scientists who support this as a good reason are also correct. Certain subjects present research challenges. Recent evidence has surfaced to suggest this is not a normal lab. Someone on the inside has slipped us some new information. Pictures to support the hybrid theory.” Kate shows them a picture of a dog, a picture of a young woman with dog ears, and a black tip on her nose. “Intel claims this is the sole living experiment that’s able to shift at will.” “We have to get her and shut down this lab,” Price declares. “It’s risky. The plan is to raid the lab, get enough evidence to close it, and rescue her.” Gaz, Ghost, and Soap agree. The three also suggest getting others to join the mission.

An hour later, Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap are on board Nikolai’s helicopter, on their way to the lab’s location, three hours away. During the flight, they go over a plan. Everyone knows this is a risky rescue mission. Add the goal to gather evidence to shut down the lab without getting caught. “Trust me, this will work,” Price assures everyone. “Your plans always work, but who knows if this lab has a quick kill switch to kill her and destroy the evidence?” Gaz asks. “We need to be cautious,” Alejandro advises. “Jamie would be helpful on this mission,” Soap comments. “Shame she had to go back to her dimension.” “This will be interesting when she returns,” Gaz adds. Everyone returns their focus to the mission.

Nikolai lands away from the lab. He stays behind while everyone else walks an hour to the lab. Although he dislikes this plan, he follows Price’s orders and prepares for the hybrid, suspecting the hybrid will be injured. The Russian prepares a sedative, hoping it won’t need to be used.

The team journeys through the forest after dark. As they reach the exit, they prepare to encounter guards. “Five guards,” Ghost says, looking through his night vision goggles. “And no other way in,” Price sighs. “So much for quiet.” The eight aim to subdue the five guards, and the guards who react to the shooting.

Once the five guards are down, they enter the lab with guns still drawn. They split into teams of four. One group moves toward the left; the other, toward the right. The groups both seek the woman and information, aiming to shut down the laboratory. Everyone is on high alert as they search every inch of the lab.

After some searching, Gaz, Ghost, Price, and Soap come across a room with a cell. A tan and black German Shepard sleeps in the cell. Paws tied together with zip ties. Gaz walks toward a table with several folders on it. He looks through the folders. One labeled ‘Project Hybrid’ and the other labeled ‘Subject 627’. “You think she’s the 627th attempt?” Soap asks. “I hope not,” Gaz replies. “I hope it’s a random number.” Gaz puts the folders in his bag. “We need to get her out of here,” Ghost says, “But I suggest waking her first. Her panic might heighten within an unknown space.” Soap picks the lock of the cell. Once he gets it open, Price walks in and kneels beside the dog. Price is gentle as he wakes the dog. Once awake, the dog looks at him, afraid. “It’s ok, we’re here to get you out,” Price whispers. He cuts the zip ties off. “There. Can you shift back into your human form? It’ll be easier to carry you out.” The four men watch the dog become a human. Fearful eyes focused on them. The woman wore dirty and ripped clothes. The woman wore dirty and ripped clothes. Her black hair was a tangled mess. They can tell she’s underweight. Price is careful as he picks her up. “Come on, we’re getting you out of here.” Gaz, Ghost, and Soap leave the room, with Price following behind. Ghost radios the others, telling them it’s time to evacuate the lab. Gaz, Ghost, and Soap take down several guards as the four walk down the hall. The woman clings to Price, afraid the guards will capture her.

Ninety minutes later, everyone is back at Nikolai’s helicopter. Many men surrounding her scare the woman. Not even seeing Farah eases her fear. Price places the woman on a bed inside the helicopter. He spots the sedative syringe Nikolai had prepared and puts it in the first aid kit. She’s frightened, yet doesn’t need to be calmed with medication. Price tends to any wound she can while Nikolai flies everyone back to base. The woman doesn’t move or make a sound, even as Price causes wounds to sting as he cleans them. Price worries that the woman can’t talk. Hoping she’s only afraid to speak.

Because of the woman’s terror, one female medic joins Price in examining her. “You’re ok,” Price assures her. “This is your home now. We won’t hurt you.” Price knows the woman doesn’t believe her, and her recovery will be long and difficult. “I’m going to give you a sedative to help you relax and sleep,” the female medic explains once she’s finished her examination. Once the woman is asleep, Price leaves to talk to the others.

Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap sit in a conference room. Kate has several folders on the table in front of her. “Excellent work,” Kate Praises. “You gathered enough evidence to shut down this lab.” “And the woman?” Soap Askas. Kate picks up a folder and opens it. “Layla Dove, twenty-five years old. Kidnapped three years ago. Extensive testing done. First successful hybrid able to shift at will.” “And?” Price asks, seeing Kate’s frown. “Since the hybrid experiment proved successful, the subsequent step involved inducing pregnancy to assess heredity.” “Bloody hell,” Ghost comments. “Failure would have resulted in their certain deaths.” “It has to be genetic with everything they fucked on her,” Soap says. “It doesn’t matter,” Price says. “She’s safe, and the lab will be shut down, I hope.” Everyone knows the laboratory could have individuals flush with resources, prepared to battle to preserve the vile research. “Don’t worry about that,” Kate says. “We need to help Layla recover. It’s going to be one hell of a challenge.” “Especially since we can’t get professionals involved,” Gaz adds. “They wouldn’t know how to help her heal,” Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap know that helping Layla will be difficult.

The following morning, Price and the medic enter the room. Layla remains in the bed, watching the two. The medic assesses Layla now that she’s calm. Price sees something in her eyes—something that troubles him. As he and the medic talk to Layla, Price figures out what concerns him. Helping Layla has just gotten more challenging.

“This could be a no-win scenario,” Ghost says. “They made her a pet by brainwashing her.” “You promised you wouldn’t give up on her,” Kate argues. “We won’t,” Price assures her. “Everyone knew this would be difficult. We didn’t think that the scientists would brainwash her. “We have to reprogram her brain.” Ghost adds. “How do we reprogram someone brainwashed to obey anyone? It’s worse than soldiers.” “Maybe start with choices?” Kate suggests. “Consider this method to mirror toddler decision-making.” Kate, Price, and Ghost know they need a plan to help Layla.

Ghost, Laswell, and Price talk to Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Rodolfo, and Soap about Layla and the recent discovery. “I said this would be difficult, and no professional can help,” Gaz reminds them. “To start, people will panic seeing a hybrid. Even if hybrids were normal, experimentation upon individuals isn’t.” “I have an idea,” Soap says. “Punkin carving. It’s something to help her learn to trust us and make choices.” “I did say we’ll have to teach her like toddlers learn to make choices,” Laswell says.

A few hours later, Price brings Layla into a hangar that Soap set up for pumpkin carving. Seeing a large group of people frightens her. Price takes charge, having everyone introduce themselves since Layla has met Laswell and Price. He knows she needs time to trust them, to believe that she is safe. What concerns him is that she’s not making her own choice to stay when asked. He knows she thinks she has no choice. Soap got five large pumpkins. Soap explains that he planned for two people to work on a pumpkin. He admits a desire for a contest. He agrees that this assists Layla’s recovery. Laswell works on a pumpkin with Layla. Everyone else has difficulty not watching the two. Knowing this would cause Layla to think she’s being watched. “Just be honest,” Kate encourages, showing Layla two pictures. Layla’s fear of making a wrong choice illustrates the challenge ahead. Layla chooses to do a cat carving, but Kate feels like she was answering as expected. She goes along with the decision, making a note to tell Price later. Kate finds it difficult to watch Layla not respond to praise as one would. It sickens her to know Layla thinks the praising means she is obeying and won’t get punished.

A few hours after pumpkin carving, Soap takes Layla to the common room to watch TV. Soap hopes to teach her to relax. The Scot hates that the woman needs to learn to relax and be herself. He realizes Layla does not know the movies he's talking about. He picks a film for the two to watch. Thirty minutes into the movie, Layla gets hot and pulls off the hoodie she's wearing. Soap spots a burn on her back. "Who did this to you?!" He asks. Layla focuses on Soap's tone and thinks Soap didn't permit her to remove the hoodie, cursing herself for thinking she had a choice. "No, Layla, you're not in trouble," Soap assures her. "Who burned you?" He takes off the hoodie and looks at the burn on her back. Anger fills him as Soap realizes the burn is a couple of days old. Relieved this wasn't branding. "Is this being taken care of?" Soap hates that Layla looks at him, confused. In five minutes, he's learned how much of an object Layla thinks she is. "Come on." Soap takes Layla's hand.

"This is being taken care of," the medic assures Soap. "You can see it will scar. We're trying to limit how much scaring happens." Soap takes Layla back to the common room to finish the movie.

As the movie ends, Soap sees that Layla has fallen asleep. He leaves her alone and gets out his phone to keep busy until she wakes up. Price walks into the room, sees Layla asleep, and leaves. Deciding to talk to Soap later. "Turn into a dog, now!" A man orders Layla. She does as she's told. The man grabs her by the neck and pulls her from the lab into the woods. In the woods, the man releases her. "Pick which path." Layla doesn't move. "Five seconds." Laya runs down a path. Five men on horses chase her. The man smiles, amused by Layla's stupidity. Layla runs, hearing the men encouraging their horses to go faster. This is routine three times a week, yet she always falls for the illusion of choice. She knows she shouldn't think she can make choices. While she knows the consequences, Layla runs off the path to escape. "Get back here, you stupid dog!" one man on a horse yells. The horse is having a hard time following Layla through the trees.

An hour later, Layla is back in her cell in human form, chained in the center of the cell to allow access to all around her. The man who dragged her into the woods walks in. "You thought you could escape? And how did that work out?" The man lights a match and burns Layla's back, smiling at her screaming.

Layla wakes up, terrified. "You're ok, and safe," Soap assures her. Layla realizes that she's in his arms, trembling. Soap hugs her, but not too tightly to avoid scaring her. Soap is gentle as he calms her. He sees how tired Layla is. He hates that he and everyone else hadn't noticed sooner. Layla has been struggling to sleep for three days since her rescue. Price walks into the room. He knows something happened. Soap looks at him with an expression, saying they need to talk later. Soap watches as Layla struggles to pick an activity for them. He worries the nightmare has ruined the little progress made. Soap encourages Layla to go to the kitchen with him. Price watches the two leave, concerned.

Layla holds onto Soap, afraid of the crowd in the mess hall. He takes her to the kitchen. Soap is patient as Layla decides what to have for lunch. Relieved that the cooks are also being patient. He can tell they're all disgusted with what happened to Layla. Everyone knows that Layla likely ate very little and bad food in the lab. The choices and better taste overwhelm her. Soap hates that he has to treat Layla like a toddler and help her make choices, but he knows this is helping her. He has her choose between chicken noodle soup, which he knows she likes, and sharing grilled chicken. He is happy that Layla chose the grilled chicken. While he doubts she's never had it before in her life, he suspects that in her mind, now the food is unfamiliar. So she's willing to try something new.

Once at a table, Soap puts a little piece of the grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and garlic string beans on a different plate for Layla. He watches her closely, knowing she will still say she likes the food even if she doesn't. He smiles, seeing that the woman likes the food. He spots the others watching from another table. Layla's current interaction is limited to one person, despite everyone's desire to join the pair. She will gradually get accustomed to the group and the other soldiers. Everyone knows this will take months, but they won't abandon her.

A month has passed. There’s still more work to be done to help Layla, but Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap notice changes. “It’s like seeing a polar opposite of herself,” Soap comments. “She stole my fries yesterday,” Gaz smiles. “She wouldn’t have dared a month ago. She laughed as I watched her.” “So, are we going to train her?” Ghost asks. “Self-defense for now, and maybe she’ll be one of us if she wants.” “That is a good idea,” Kate says. “She’s not ready to be a soldier, even if she wants to join us.” “I’m not sure if she’s ready for basic training,” Price adds. “She might not be a soldier. I’m not sure that hearing a superior give orders will set her back.” “Perhaps a little test,” Soap suggests. “Have her watch the next training session. Watch for signs of thinking she has to obey or she’ll get in trouble.” The others agree. Having Layla watch Ghost and Price training the current rookies will tell them if she can handle having orders yelled at.

Farah and Soap take Layla to the training grounds. Layla listens to Ghost and Price yelling at the rookies. Farah and Soap watch her for signs of panic, thinking she’s being scolded. Soon, Layla sits on the floor. “This is good,” Farah whispers. “Yet I believe we should keep doing this for a while longer before we think she can cope with orders being shouted at her.” “Yeah, I’m also thinking we need to do mock training sessions.” Farah nods. “Easy, her self-defense training, and she needs to build muscle and endurance before joining the other rookies.” They both decide to discuss their idea with Price.

The next morning, Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap discuss Layla meeting Jamie and Nikolai. The nine doubt Layla remembers Nikolai as she saw him for a few minutes before he flew the team back to base. They all believe Jamie and Layla could be good friends. Friendship would bloom between Layla and everyone in due course. They agree to hold off on telling Layla about Jamie being from a different dimension and her powers.

Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap walk into the hangar soon after Nikolai and Jamie get the helicopter in. The two sit on a crate, talking. Both stop as soon as they see the group. Upon hearing Layla’s name, Nikolai grasped the topic, though Jamie remained perplexed. Price tells Jamie about Layla. She finds out why she had to stay with her Autobot friends for three weeks. The others apologize, hating that they had to do that even if it was for a good reason. Jamie learns the current plan involves relaying information regarding her anxiety plus depression to Layla. Everyone knows Jamie hates talking about her mental health, but they all think this will help Layla. While the two struggle for different reasons, believing that Layla will feel Jamie understands her better.

The eleven walk into the common room where Layla is reading a book. She looks up and sees the group. She focuses on the two new people. She notices that one of them is much smaller than the others. Price introduces Layla to Jamie and Nikolai. Layla remembers hearing Nikolai’s voice when the team rescued her. The Russian knew she wouldn’t recall meeting him. Everyone knew Layla wouldn’t like hearing Price telling her that she won’t learn everything about Jamie today. Instead of questioning why Price said Jamie rather than both Jamie and Nikolai, Layla questions why she has to wait. “It’s a lot to take in,” Soap says. This adds to Layla’s curiosity. The others saw this as a good sign, given her state upon arrival a month ago. “Believe me, you’ll learn everything about her in due time,” Price says. Layla sighs, displeased. Everyone but Jamie chuckles at her displeased expression. Jamie dislikes hearing Price tell Layla about her mental health. She knows he has good intentions. She hates that everyone else knows, but she thinks they would have figured out she has anxiety and depression. Layla is quick to understand why she’s being told this. Jamie says nothing as Price continues to tell Layla about her mental health and how it affects her. Once Price finishes explaining, he suggests giving Layla time. He knows Jamie also needs time to herself, aware that she hates people knowing about her mental struggle. Price watches Nikolai take Jamie’s hand and lead her out of the room. “I hate she’s like that,” Soap comments. “We know why she’s like this. Damn family,” Price sighs. Layla hears them, but says nothing. She assumes she’ll find out later.

Layla walks down the hall, feeling like she’s in an unreality. Like she’s dreaming. Even if she doesn’t know every soldier and staff member at the base, knowing eleven people who care about her feels odd. “You’re not dreaming,” Soap says from behind her. Layla turns around and sees everyone. Nikolai holding Jamie like a child makes her laugh. “I-I’m sorry, I…” “You’re right, it’s funny,” Soap agrees. “Hey!” Jamie argues. Everyone laughs. “And yet you let me pick you up,” Nikolai points out. Laughter continues as Jamie struggles for words. “Look at the family you have now,” Gaz smiles. Next thing Layla knows, she’s in the center of a group hug. Everyone is silent.

“I believe in us,” Layla says. Everyone looks at her, understanding what she means. They are her new family now. Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Kate, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap know Layla is still recovering. She’s still getting to know everyone. Now she met Jamie and Nikolai. She is still getting used to a free life outside the lab.

[autobot2001]

A Tight Hold

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Pairing: None Description: Alejandro worries about Jamie after the two are separated from the rest of Task Force 141, and she's injured.

Combining; @ailesswhumptober: 14 @whumptober-archive: 14 @angstober:  14 & 26 @flufftober:  14, 15, 26 @fictober-event:  14

Under the cut

The plan went south. No one spotted the bomb before it detonated, sending everyone flying in different directions. Task Force 141 members are now separated. Alejandro wakes up, blinded by the sun. He sits up and looks around him. Along with seeing he’s in the middle of the woods, he spots Jamie nearby. He crawls toward Jamie with a worried expression as he sees she’s unconscious. Alejandro is careful as he searches Jamie’s body for injuries. He sighs, relieved that the only injuries she has are some cuts, but he worries about her unconscious state. “Jamie? Come on, wake up.” Alejandro taps her cheek, hoping to wake her. He continues attempting to wake Jamie for a few minutes. “Damn it.” Alejandro is careful to lift Jamie into his arms, knowing he needs to either find shelter or the team. He walks forward, hoping the path will lead him somewhere.

As Alejandro walks, he worries about Jamie being unconscious. He knows he’s screwed if she has a TBI. After a few minutes of walking, he stops and puts Jamie against a tree. He taps her cheek, hoping she’ll wake up. He’s relieved when Jamie awakens. “Look who’s awake.” He knew disorientation would happen, but Alejandro also observed the signs of a concussion. “Do we have a plan?” Jamie asks after being told what happened. “Our only choice is to keep walking and hope we find the others, or help,” Alejandro says. Jamie attempts to stand up. “Hell no. I’ll carry you.” He crouches down in front of her. “Climb on my back.” Jamie sighs, annoyed, but does as he says. Alejandro has a tight hold on Jamie’s legs as he walks.

An hour passes. Alejandro continues to walk down a path in the woods. He’s getting annoyed because of the lack of finding the others, or the end of the woods. “Unbelievable,” he mutters. “Then put me down.” Alejandro realizes Jamie heard him. He sets Jamie down by a tree and sits next to her. “This has nothing to do with you,” he assures her. “I’m just frustrated. I don’t know if we’re getting closer to help or finding any of the others. You’re injured, and while a concussion requires rest rather than medical intervention, I worry you need medical intervention. This is a disaster.” “In the end, it’s worthwhile,” Jamie says. “How? I think your concussion is messing with your thinking.” Jamie says nothing. Alejandro hopes this is a temporary symptom of the concussion. He can see that the sunlight is bothering her. He found his sunglasses in his tactical vest. He puts them on for her. “You can sleep while I carry you. I think it’ll help.” Jamie gets on Alejandro’s back, and he continues to walk.

Alejandro walks for three hours before he comes across an old cabin. As sunset approaches, he decides he and Jamie must stay in the cabin for the night. Alejandro is concerned that the door is unlocked, but he enters the cabin.

Once inside, he grabs his flashlight. He looks around and notices a single bed. Alejandro walks closer to the bed. It’s a full-sized bed for both him and Jamie. He sets Jamie on the bed. She looks tired. “We’ll stay here tonight,” Alejandro tells her. “There’s only one bed —” “I’ll sleep on the floor.” “Of course you’d say that. The bed has ample space for us, no need to sleep on the floor.” He assists Jamie in removing her gear, then removes his. He places his gun within arm’s reach of the bed. Alejandro sits beside Jamie as they eat one of their MREs. The cabin is silent as they eat. Alejandro worries about the others and continues to worry about whether Jamie needs medical intervention. Jamie feels tired and now has a headache. Alejandro notices Jamie in pain and finds his small first aid kit, hoping he has something for pain relief. Jamie takes the pain relief and lies on the bed. Alejandro covers her with the blankets. He watches her fall asleep, hoping he’s not making a mistake letting her sleep. If it were more serious, she’d be showing other symptoms. She’s ok. Alejandro tries to assure himself. After Jamie is asleep, he shifts her closer to the wall. He lies under the covers, hoping to sleep. He still worries about Jamie’s injury and about the others. Alejandro hopes that tomorrow he and Jamie can locate the others and a way to leave the woods.

Alejandro knew Jamie would still struggle with a concussion when she woke up. He continues to worry that Jamie needs medical attention rather than time to recover. He looks around the cabin, hoping to find a working radio to contact the others. Alejandro sighs, as he doesn’t find the type of radio he needs. “Of course, this isn’t a safe house. Just someone’s abandoned vacation home.”

Jamie sits on the bed getting cold. She’s trying to ignore it. Alejandro takes her hands, feeling how cold they are. “I’m cold.” Alejandro worries. Jamie’s coldness is worrying, considering she possesses powers to stay warm but appears to have forgotten them. Damn it. This isn’t good. Alejandro worries. “Here, have my jacket.” Alejandro helps Jamie put his jacket on. “I’ll be fine,” he argues as he looks into Jamie’s eyes. He notices nothing concerning. He hands Jamie an MRE. They eat in silence. Once finished, Alejandro packs everything and attempts to pack Jamie’s tactical vest in her pack. He helps put her pack on her back before putting his on and getting her on his back. He’s relieved his pack isn’t too full and he can still hold on to Jamie. He heads out of the cabin, hoping to be heading out of the woods.

[autobot2001]

The Game of Cat and Mouse

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Pairing: None Description: A betrayal leads to a new foe.

Combining; @ailesswhumptober: 6, 13, 23 @whumptober-archive: 6, 13 @angstober:  6, 13 @flufftober: 6 @fictober-event: 6

Under the cut

“I worry about her,” Soap says, as Gaz, Ghost, Nikolai, Price, and Soap watch Jamie, asleep in the bed. “She has too much past trauma that causes her to pin the blame on herself.” “No one saw the betrayal coming,” Price comments. “If Nikolai and I hadn’t arrived when we did, we would have lost her.”

Price and Nikolai run down the hall, concerned that Jamie and Roman are in trouble. Neither expected to see Roman beating Jamie, nor that Jamie would struggle to defend herself. Nikolai yanks Roman off Jamie and pins him to the wall. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” “Just doing my job,” Roman smiles. “You’re all idiots.” Price lifts Jamie in a fireman’s carry and presses a button in the security room, alerting the guards. “Leave him, we have to go!” Price yells and runs down the hall. Nikolai follows in tow, ready to protect Price. Nikolai takes down a few guards as the two men run towards the exit.

Price lays Jamie on the helicopter floor. “Get us out of here, Nikolai!” Price orders. The helicopter starts up and ascends. Price looks over Jame, seeing the black and blue bruises already forming. Price is gentle as he checks if Roman broke any bones. “Is she ok?” Nikolai asks. “I think so. It seems to be just bruising.” Both men worry Jamie hasn’t woken up yet. A few minutes pass, and Jamie wakes up. She’s disoriented, as Price expected. Price is careful as he lifts Jamie. He sits in the closest seat and holds her on his lap.

“The problem is she’ll also blame herself for not sensing his lies. For assuming we could trust that bastard,” Ghost says. “That’s going to cause her to blame herself more than past trauma, but that might contribute to her guilt. Thinking if Roman’s plan was successful.” “This is a fucking mess,” Gaz sighs. “She’ll need our support,” Price tells the other four men.

The next morning, after breakfast, Jamie sits on the bed in her room, remembering the mission and betrayal she failed to see. “We need to find the security room and disable the cameras,” Jamie reminds Roman. “Good plan, but you missed one fatal flaw,” Roman says. Jamie is pinned to the wall. “I can’t believe you didn’t know. You of all people.” Jamie cannot fight back as Roman beats her.

Jamie feels anger she failed to sense Roman was lying, that he could have killed her and the others if Nikolai and Price hadn’t stopped him when they did. She opens the nightstand drawer and pulls out her pocketknife.

“I fear she’s going to have a rocky recovery, even if her only wounds were bruises,” Price tells Nikolai as the two walk down the hallway. “Soap is right, she won’t take this well,” Nikolai says. “It’s going to be difficult to help her. You know how she is already. Shutting everyone out, and…you don’t think it’s unsafe to leave her alone?” The two run to Jamie’s room. Price opens the door. The two men discover they’re too late as they see Jamie’s bloody arm. Nikolai rushes to take the pocket knife away from Jamie. Price looks at the self-inflicted injury. Nikolai hands him some toilet paper to stop the bleeding. Jamie doesn’t react to the two men finding her in this state. “It’s not deep,” Price says, once he gets a better look at the cut. “Let’s get it cleaned at the medbay.” Price leads Jamie out of the room with Nikolai following.

Nikolai and Price speak with Gaz, Ghost, and Soap that evening in the common room about the day’s earlier events, once Jamie is asleep. “This is annoying,” Soap complains. “We all should help her.” “I know, but I think it’s best to limit the help to Nik and me,” Price says. “We can’t leave Jamie alone, but you two can’t be the only ones watching her,” Gaz says. “At least if we help, we lessen the chance of her feeling like she’s being babysat.” “He’s right,” Nik agrees. “She’s not in a good mental state and needs our support.” “She’s going to get through this,” Ghost assures everyone. “We’ve seen her struggle time and time again, but this time…” The others know why Ghost is worried. Jamie’s mental state this time concerns them.

After Roman betrayed the team three months prior, Task Force 141 encounters him once more. "I trusted you! We trusted you!" Jamie yells before Roman can say anything. "You want to lecture me about trust?" Roman laughs. "There were five Autobots who trusted you, and you let them down." Alejandro, Alex, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap know what Roman is talking about. They are aware of the guilt Jamie has carried for years. They tense up as Roman approaches Jamie. He reaches out and grabs the necklace Jamie wears. "You should be ashamed to wear this insignia. I suppose it's a good thing you don't have it tattooed. A necklace is easier to disregard." Roman rips the necklace off Jamie. "You should feel shame for wearing the Autobot insignia. Did you join Task Force 141 to run away from your failures? But you know it's not enough. The memories are still there. You're just putting more friends in danger." Roman grabs Jamie and runs down a hall. The others run after him.

Roman leads everyone up to the roof, where he gets on a helicopter with Jamie. Soap’s attempt to board the helicopter fails. "The bastard planned all of this," Ghost comments. "We need to find them," Price says.

A few hours pass. The team storms into an old factory, guns ready. The place appears empty, but the Alejandro, Alex, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Price, Rodolfo, and Soap know to be prepared for anything. Aware Roman has a plan. They split up into two groups.

Gaz, Ghost, Price, and Soap soon find a room used as a cell. Ghost opens the door, entering the cell, gun drawn. "Shit. Guys, get in here." Gaz, Price, and Soap enter the cell. They see what Ghost is looking at. Jamie is on the floor, unconscious. "Price, we have to get out of here," Alejandro says through Price's earpiece. "Roman set a trap. I'll explain later." "Copy, we'll meet you at the extraction point." Price picks Jamie up, and the others follow Price out, guns ready.

Alejandro, Alex, Farah, and Rodolfo wait at the extraction point. Uncertain if they should have followed Price's instruction or not. The ten-minute wait is hell. The four are relieved to see Gaz, Ghost, Price, and Soap running toward them. That fades as they see Price carrying Jamie in a fireman's carry. Price lays Jamie on the grass. "What happened?" Farah asks. "We found her in a cell, unconscious," Price explains. "Why did we have to rush?" "Glad you found her before I told you to leave," Alejandro says. "Roman was planning on ambushing us. Hoping to kill us, and make Jamie think it was her fault we were all dead." "Damn bastard," Alejandro comments. "I fear he's a new enemy. Even if Jamie is his only target," Price says. "Someone injected her with something," Alex points out. The others see the needle mark on Jamie's arm. "A sedative," Soap suspects. "To keep her asleep until Roman's plan was complete. Easier to convince Jamie it was her fault we're dead."

Two hours later. Jamie rests in the medbay. Unable to concentrate on anything else, the team sits in the common room. They worry about how strong a sedative Roman injected. A medic walks into the room. "Well?" Price asks. "She woke up, but panicked." The team looks at each other, concerned. That's expected, since she woke up in a different room." "A tranquilizer?" Soap asks. "Yes, benzodiazepines are a type of tranquilizer. In small doses, they help people relax. Price decides he needs to talk to Jamie to help her relax. He follows the medic back to the medbay.

Price sits next to the bed. Jamie looks at him. Price can tell the medicine is making her sleepy. Uncertain of what's going through her mind, Price moves his hand slowly toward Jamie's. He holds her hand as he talks, hoping to be reassuring. "You're safe. You're back at base." Jamie says nothing as she looks at Price. "You're safe, go to sleep. You'll be ok." Jamie can no longer stay awake. Price stays until he knows she's asleep. He fixes the blanket and leaves the room.

Everyone worries about potential trauma, even if Roman didn't torture Jamie. They fear that Roman brought up memories that Jamie tries to forget. "So, when should I give this back to her?" Alejandro asks, showing Price Jamie's stolen Autobot insignia necklace. "I can have it repaired." "Get it repaired. You'll recognize the ideal moment to give it back. Watch her mental state. Jamie will react negatively to Roman’s words. She shouldn't see that necklace now." Everyone agrees. Everyone is concerned about how Jamie is affected by what Roman said.

Task Force 141 got intel on a new criminal organization called The Shadow Stalkers. They all thought Phillip Graves had disbanded Shadow Company and started a new organization. Once inside the old factory, ten armed people dressed all in black surround them. The team fought against the new foes. Gaz, Ghost, Price, and Soap realize too late that this was a trap to capture Jamie. The enemy was aware of her abilities, and they plotted to seize her.

Gaz, Ghost, Price, and Soap chase after the enemy, but cannot retrieve Jamie before the ten enemies board a helicopter and take off. “This isn’t good,” Soap worries. “No, they knew about Jamie’s powers. Enough to plan how to kidnap her without giving her a chance to fight back,” Price says. “Could be Jamie’s former friend, Jadin,” Gaz says. “I don’t think so,” Price replies. “She’s been Jamie’s enemy for years. It’s odd she’d create a criminal organization to get Jamie. Someone else knows, and I don’t like it.” They rush to the exfil point.

Three enemy soldiers chain Jamie to a wall in a room, a dim light in the center. The three people who chained her to the wall leave. She pulls on the restraints, trying to break them. “Aren’t you feisty?” A voice says. Jamie looks toward the door and sees Roman. “Why am I not surprised?” “You could say I have an obsession, but who wouldn’t?” Roman asks. “You have powers and abilities most think are fiction. You can go to different dimensions.” He steps closer to her. “I wonder if it’s genetic? Could I have a little warrior with powers?” He smirks, seeing Jamie’s disgust. “Though this game of cat and mouse has been fun. Hmm, the possibilities.” Roman walks out of the room.

[autobot2001]

Three Days of Hell

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Pairing: None Description: Ghost worries about Jamie after she's shot.

Day 31; @ailesswhumptober: Alt 6; Blinded @whumptober-archive: Gunshot Wound @angstober: Close the door @flufftober: “Stay?” @fictober-event: "I still love you."

Under the cut

Ghost felt like he was blinded. Everything happened fast. He couldn't protect Jamie. Now he sits in the medbay waiting room with Gaz, Price, and Soap. Now, time felt like it was moving slowly. Four hours pass. A medic approaches the four men. "Is she ok?" Ghost asks. "The surgery was a success," the medic says. "She will need multiple blood transfusions. It's hard to say when she'll wake up." "I need to see her," Ghost says. The medic leads Ghost down the hall. Gaz, Price, and Soap stay behind, planning how to keep Ghost from neglecting himself.

Ghost enters the room and sits on the chair by the bed. He stares at Jamie, looking small in the bed. Her pale complexion. He eyes the blood transfusion bag, hoping the blood will help her soon. He takes her hand in his. Ghost knows the others will make him leave at some point. He's afraid to leave Jamie. Gaz, Price, and Soap walk in an hour later. They stand on either side of the bed, looking at Jamie. They worry about both Jamie and Ghost. The three wait a few hours before attempting to get Ghost to leave. As predicted, Ghost refuses. "It's going to be a while before she's strong enough to wake up," Price tells him. "You can come back tomorrow morning." Ghost hates that Price is right, but he still can't leave Jamie. The fear that something will happen while he's gone is too strong. Gaz and Soap resort to escorting Ghost out. Ghost is annoyed, but doesn't fight them. He looks back at Jamie. Please be ok. He silently pleads.

The next three days feel like hell to Ghost. The medics are telling him Jamie is improving does little to ease his worried mind. As he sits by the bed, holding Jamie's hand, Ghost thinks he feels the smaller hand moving. "Jamie?" He whispers. He looks at her, waiting for her blue eyes to open.

He sighs, relieved when she finally opens her eyes. He knew she would be disoriented between the blood loss, coma, and strong pain meds. "Stay?" Jamie says, her voice barely audible. Ghost nods. He gets up to close the door. He returns to the chair and takes her hand. "You just love scaring me, don't you? But I still love you." "Oh, yeah, I love being injured and off duty for weeks." Ghost chuckles at Jamie's sarcasm. "You do, because now I have to take care of you." Ghost smiles under his skull balaclava at Jamie's attitude while on strong pain meds. He lifts his balaclava, exposing his lips, and kisses Jamie. "Rest, I'm not going anywhere for a while." He sits back on the chair, holding Jamie's hand as she closes her eyes.

[autobot2001]

Injured

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: G Warning: None Pairing: None Description: Soap finds Jamie injured.

Day 30; @ailesswhumptober: Cleaning injuries, Labored breathing, “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” @whumptober-archive: Confrontation @angstober: Last chance @flufftober: “I hate you” – “I love you too” @fictober-event: "Do you trust me?"

Under the cut

"Last chance, tell me what I want to know," a man dressed in black demands. "No!"

Soap runs down the hall. The lack of communication from Jamie on this mission has everyone worried. He searches every room until he finds Jamie lying on the floor. As he gets closer to her, he sees she's seriously injured. This worries Soap, but not as much as hearing labored breathing. Soap knows he has to tend to any injuries the best he can before getting Jamie to safety. He works carefully to remove Jamie's gear. He's relieved that the cuts he's seeing are only on her ms and legs, but the injuries are deep. "Go," Jamie says, her voice strained. "Do you trust me? I'll get us out of here, but I need to take care of your injuries first." Soap doesn't give Jamie a chance to answer as he begins cleaning her injuries. Her breathing worries him. Hoping it's a response to pain, rather than blood loss, and he's missing something. Jamie doesn't put up a fight as Soap expected, as the antiseptic stings. He stops to answer Price contacting him. The captain is relieved to hear Jamie was found. Hr worries about Jamie's injuries as Soap tells him about them. Once done talking to Price, Soap resumes tending to Jamie's injuries. "Good, pain relief and antibiotic cream." Jamie's breathing steadies as Soap applies the cream to her injuries. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” "I hate you." "I love you too," Soap smiles. "I said go, idiot." "No way. I wasn't leaving you behind. The place was cleared of enemies." Soap cleans up and packs everything. "Come on." He lifts Jamie into his arms and carries her out.

[autobot2001]

Risks Taken

Author: Autobot2001 Genre: Fanfiction Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rating: T Warning: Self-harm Pairing: None Description: Nikolai finds soldiers trash-talking to Jamie. Continued from day 28.

Day 29; @ailesswhumptober: Guilt, "I didn't mean to." @whumptober-archive: “I hope you see the sun someday in the darkness.” @angstober: Picking up the pieces @flufftober: Wearing Each Other’s Clothes @fictober-event: "Where did they go?"

Under the cut

"Where did they go?" Price asks, worried. Everyone knows about the incident yesterday. "Let me find her," Nikolai insists.

"How the hell are you a soldier? You're weak." Nikolai sees three soldiers surrounding Jmaie. "Enough!" Nikolai yells. The three soldiers stop talking and look at the pissed Russian. "What kind of soldiers trash-talk to another?" "I didn't mean to-" "Bullshit, you knew exactly what you were doing!" The three soldiers look guilty. Nikolai doesn't realize Jamie walked away as he's scolding the soldiers. "Uh, Nik-" "Don't interrupt!" "Nikolai! She walked away!" One of the other soldiers yells. The Russian is pisssed at the soldier's tone, but he knows leaving Jamie alone right now is not a good idea. He runs down the hall.

Nikolai runs into Jamie's room and finds her in the bathroom. The mirror shattered. He rushes in and grabs her wrist. He sees blood going down her hand. He sighs and gets the first aid kit, pulling Jamie out of the room. Nikolai sits her on the bed and begins cleaning the cuts on her hand. He knows Price won't like hearing what happened. Once the cuts are taken care of, Nikolai lies on the bed with Jamie. He has her head on his chest and his arm around her. Nikolai says nothing. He wants Jamie to relax.

Once Jamie is asleep, Nikolai is in the bathroom picking up the pieces of the mirror. He throws the pieces in the trash, sits on the bed, and sighs. He looks at Jamie. She looks peaceful while sleeping. If it weren't for her hand, it would be hard to believe what happened before she fell asleep. “I hope you see the sun someday in the darkness. Wish you would while with us and your other friends." He takes out his phone. Nikolai: I found Jamie. She's asleep. We'll talk later. Price: ok.

Price sits at his desk and sighs. He has a bad feeling about the conversation with Nikolai.

"What the..?" Soap asks, before laughing with Gaz. Price smiles. Ghost smile sunder his balaclava. The three never thought Jamie would steal Nikolai's jacket, nor would they think he'd play along and steal her hoodie. "At least her hoodie fits you," Soap smirks. "Yeah, because she's weird and likes her hoodies being way too big," Gaz says. "Yet she doesn't like wearing dresses." Soap laughs at the comment. Nikolai sits on the couch and pulls Jamie onto his lap. The sleeves of Nikolai's jacket hides Jamie's bandaged hand.

Nikolai spent the rest of the day with Jamie, who didn't mind. Nikolai didn't think Price would enter Jamie's room. "I was about to go to your office," Nikolai whispers. "Show me what she did." Nikolai sighs and shows Price Jamie's bandaged hand. "She smashed the mirror in the bathroom." Price sighs. "I don't know what to do. I know what I'm supposed to do…" "I know. She needs support, but being here is becoming dangerous." "And the deal I made with her is already backfiring. I hate that she needs to be watched, but it's also good for her to be with friends more." "We should talk to the others." Price knows Nikolai is right. The two leave the room.

Price calling a meeting at nine at night suggested something was amiss. In addition to not calling everyone at the base to the meeting. Only those who know Jamie well. "What did she do now?" Soap asks. Everyone hates hearing what Jamie did. They know what Price is supposed to be doing, and understand why he can't. They don't want to see her discharged either. Price tells them what he decided and told Jamie, hoping to meet in the middle and help her. The challenge is protecting her without making Jamie feel overly restricted. "You should have told us," Alejandro says. "She's our friend too. We can help." Everyone else agrees. They know Jamie's outbursts of self-harm are temporary, but a problem every time she comes back from her dimension.