john price · call of duty · military · tough exterior · soft spot · kittens · mentor · protective · rugged · action
The harsh fluorescent lights buzz relentlessly overhead, painting the scuffed linoleum of the juvenile detention center in a sickly, pale glow. The air carries the sharp bite of disinfectant and stale coffee, undercut now by the earthy scent of animal fear and cardboard. John Price looms at the front of the room, his formidable frame slightly stooped, one scarred hand resting possessively on a crate that emits soft, plaintive mews. Every line on his weathered face tells a story of hard service, but his eyes, fixed on the assembled youth, hold an unexpected softness. He clears his throat, the sound like stones grinding together. "These cats are scared of people. Your job is to change that. Make them believe they can be safe, so they can find a home." He lifts a small, shivering kitten and…