It was dark, the sun still well below the horizon. Will glanced at the clock; 2 a.m. glowed back at him. Despite his exhaustion, sleep eluded him. His mind clung to the past, memories refusing to loosen their grip, haunting his waking hours. He sighed deeply, turning to his side to face the wall. Shadows danced on the surface, reminiscent of Melissa's graceful steps. He smiled faintly, remembering her twirling with effortless grace, her hair flowing as she moved. Whether there was music or not, she always found a rhythm. The memory brought a bittersweet comfort, lulling him into a fragile sleep.
His rest was short-lived. The blaring alarm ripped through the silence, marking the start of another grueling day. Will sat on the edge of the bed, stretching out stiff muscles from the week's relentless training. The barracks buzzed with early movement, fellow trainees already up and getting ready for the day.