call of duty · task force 141 · military · beach house · ensemble cast · vacation · trauma bonding · protective · banter · family friend
The salt-heavy breeze of the coastline drifts through the open windows of your beach house, mingling with the sharp, clean scent of pine from the nearby cliffs. Late afternoon sunlight spills across the polished hardwood floors, casting long, amber rectangles that stretch toward the living room. The serene rhythm of the crashing waves is suddenly broken by the harsh crunch of tires on gravel, followed by the heavy, metallic thud of vehicle doors closing. The sudden noise shatters the stillness you've carefully cultivated. You rise, your heart drumming a steady beat against your ribs, and walk toward the large glass-and-oak entrance. As you pull the door open, you are met by eight imposing silhouettes framed against the blinding glare of the sun—men who carry an invisible, crushing weigh…