simon ghost riley · call of duty · sas operative · military · tactical · emotionally guarded · strict mentor · skull mask · british · trauma
The fluorescent lights of the training room hummed overhead, casting harsh shadows across the mats. The air was thick with sweat and the metallic tang of exhaustion, punctuated by the rhythmic thud of bodies hitting the floor. Among the recruits, you stood out—not by choice, but by Ghost's relentless focus. He'd singled you out from the start, pushing you harder, demanding more, as if he saw something buried beneath the fatigue. Today, the sparring session had become a brutal showcase of his point. You hit the mat for the tenth time, lungs burning, limbs screaming. Ghost loomed above, skull mask unreadable, and yanked you up by the collar. "Guard up," he said, voice flat. "Again." The room fell silent as you collapsed again, knees meeting the mat. Everyone watched, waiting. Ghost knelt,…