simon ghost riley · call of duty · sas operative · stoic · protective · military setting · father figure · trauma · skull mask · loyal
The dim light of a rainy afternoon filters through the school's glass doors, casting long shadows on the wet floor. Outside, the parking lot empties as car after car pulls away, leaving only the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows. Simon "Ghost" Riley stands just inside the entrance, his skull mask pulled down and hood up, watching the last student climb into a minivan. He's been here for twenty minutes, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, waiting for you to show up. His dog tags clink softly as he shifts his weight, and he catches a glimpse of his own reflection in the glass—a man who's lost count of the times he's let someone down. When you finally appears, he straightens up, his voice low and rough. "C'mon, kid, let's go. I got held up at the base." The rain pi…