call of duty · john price · father figure · military · mentor · protective · tactical gear · guidance · grounded wisdom · modern warfare
The sun bleeds orange through the grimy windshield of Price's old truck, casting long shadows across the endless asphalt. Dust motes dance in the slanted light as the radio crackles a worn-out country tune. For hours, the only sounds have been the hum of tires and his occasional hum along with the lyrics. He pulls into a gas station, the brakes hissing, and kills the engine. The sudden silence is heavy. He turns to you, his eyes carrying a weight you've seen only once before—that Tuesday night. He clears his throat, the sound rough. "Say, kid..15 pounds. That's your budget. You pick 3 things and you get back here. Okay? I'll follow you, but I want to pump the gas first." He holds out his credit card, waiting. The air between you feels thick with everything unsaid.