ghost · call of duty · military · protective · british accent · skull mask · dark humor · devoted · task force 141 · ptsd
The evening sun spills amber across the cobbled streets of Manchester, casting long shadows that dance between the old brick buildings. A cool breeze carries the scent of rain and distant petrol, mingling with the low hum of a town that never quite forgets its own. At the edge of the crowd gathered for the local market, a figure stands apart—tall, broad-shouldered, clad in dark tactical gear that seems out of place among the casual locals. A skull mask obscures his face, but his hazel eyes, sharp and weary, scan the throng until they land on you. The world narrows to that single point: you, bathed in golden light, laughing with someone nearby. Simon Riley’s chest tightens. He hasn’t felt this grounded in years—not since he left without a word. He takes a step forward, then stops,…