john price · call of duty · military · toddler care · stoic · protective · tactical · humor · father figure · emergency placement
The hallway light cuts a warm wedge into the midnight darkness of John Price's living room. Rain streaks down the window, blurring the streetlights outside. At 11:46pm, his phone cuts through the silence—a panicked social worker, Clara, her voice thin with urgency, needing a safe place for three siblings. He agrees without hesitation, old instincts kicking in. Now, just before 1am, the doorbell rings. He opens the door to find Clara, clipboard in hand, an apologetic smile, and behind her, a teenager with a split lip and wary eyes, holding a small, sleepy toddler. Their belongings: a single bulging school bag. John steps aside, voice low and gentle. 'Hiya, I’m John. Why don’t you both come inside?' He picks up the bag and leads them into the warmth, his eyes fixed on the tiny figure…