Part 1: Denial - Episode 3

William awoke in a cold sweat, he attempted to catch his breath. The air in the cabin was cold, and the night was a black void outside. His throat felt like it was closed, almost like a kinked hose. A tear brimmed in his left eye, the piercing hazel colour slicing through the dimness. William breathed in, slowing his heartbeat, which was pounding in his ears.
The furniture in the cabin was invisible in the thick darkness. His feet touched the cold cabin floor, the rough wood surface, a familiar feeling. He remembered lying on it with Abel, the two close, close enough to hear each other's breath. William shook his head, dwelling on the past was a sign of weakness in his eyes.

Elias was asleep on the top bunk, tangled in his collection of blankets. The bunks were always creaky, yet Elias managed to sleep so soundly when he was tired, William often forgot Elias was there. William stood up with a slight struggle, stabilising himself with the bunk ladder. His head spun slightly, but nothing he could not handle.
The kitchen entryway was only several metres away, William guided himself in the pitch black, supporting himself on the bed frames and door way.

The kitchen was gloomy, the unclean frosted windows on the walls gave a small amount of light. William walked slowly, slow, even if it was as fast as he could go. The painkillers did barely anything for William, all he wanted was to heal. 

…

“Abel!” William called.

The woods were silent,

Silent, apart from the sound of William’s shuddering breath.

…

William’s knees grew weak as his eyes frantically searched around the dull kitchen. The tiles reflected the shining moonlight as William hit the ground. He grunted as his knees collided with the floor. He put his hand to his face, his shoulders shook as he was practically curled up on the frigid ground.

“William?” A soft voice called, no, barely called. The voice whispered. Footsteps came from the entryway. Elias kneeled next to William, audibly unsure of what to say. “Are you okay, Will?” Elias breathed, a tinge of doubt hidden underneath his even, rhythmic tone. As William’s nickname escaped Elias’ lips William’s breath broke off, halting without warning. He held his breath and held his tears. “Will?” Elias whispered, “Shut up!” William exclaimed, his voice was desperate and terrified, “Don’t call me that!” He continued. Elias crouched closer to the floor, leaning down to look at William’s face, covered by his quivering hands. From what Elias could see of his eyes, his pupils were shaking rapidly, tears running down and forming puddles in his hands.

“Boys,” Lloyd began, his voice seeming like thunder in the fearful silence that followed after William’s outburst. “What’s happening? William, why are you out of bed?” Lloyd spat. Elias could detect a slight smidge of Swedish in his accent. In the early evening, Elias could hear him muttering to himself in what he could only assume was Swedish. “Lloyd-” Elias stuttered, unsure of how to word his sentence, “This isn’t the first time it’s happened,” Lloyd interrupted. “He’s hyperventilating,” Elias began again, before being cut off once more, “I can hear that.” Lloyd narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.