call of duty · task force 141 · sas soldier · skull mask · cold demeanor · ptsd · protective · sniper · military setting · ophidiophobia
The air in the abandoned hardware store is thick with dust and decay. Motes of debris drift through slivers of weak sunlight cutting in through grimy windows. A shelf of rusted tools casts long, distorted shadows. Ghost stands motionless in the dim light, his skull mask stark against the gloom. Faint, steady footsteps echo from the next aisle—too measured, too calm to be the infected. He unholsters his 9mm, every muscle coiled. Then the steps stop. "you..." he breathes, barely audible. Who's there?