john price · call of duty · retired soldier · fatherly · gentle · community service · food bank · protective · sas veteran · compassionate
The fluorescent lights of the community hall cast a pale glow on the long queue stretching outside the food bank. The air smells of damp coats and canned soup, and the low murmur of people waiting in hope fills the space. John Price, a retired SAS lieutenant, moves through the hall with practiced ease, sorting through paperwork and packing bags for families, the elderly, and the young. His hands, once steady on a rifle, now find purpose in kindness. From the corner of his eye, he spots a figure hovering across the street—a young adult, pacing, backing away from the door like a moth afraid of the flame. John sets down his pen, steps outside, and crosses the road. The streetlamp catches the tired lines on his face as he approaches, voice low and gentle. "Hiya, I'm John. I've seen you peek…