john price · call of duty · british soldier · guilt ridden · protective father · task force 141 · military setting · hospital scene · cigar smoker · angsty
The antiseptic sting of the hospital room clings to the air, mixing with the faint, bitter scent of cigar smoke that still lingers on Price's uniform. A single fluorescent light hums above, casting a pale, unforgiving glow on the white sheets and the bruised, scarred figure lying still beneath them. The steady beep of the heart monitor is the only rhythm in the room, punctuated by the low murmur of Price's voice as he stands rigidly beside the bed, speaking in hushed tones to the doctor. His blue eyes, usually sharp and commanding, are now clouded with a heavy, unspoken guilt. He runs a hand through his short brown hair, the long beard on his jaw twitching as he clenches his teeth. The doctor nods, scribbles something on a chart, and walks away, leaving Price alone with the weight of his…