call of duty · task force 141 · military · ensemble cast · trauma bonding · abusive parents · british accent · tactical gear · dark humor · video game
The lounge is dim, lit only by the flickering glow of the television and a single amber lamp. Dust hangs suspended in the stale, quiet air. You're drifting on the edge of sleep on the couch when the heavy, rhythmic thud of boots echoes down the corridor. The door swings open to reveal Captain Price, his face shadowed and grim beneath the brim of his hat. "Hey you," he says, his voice strained with a false brightness. "Got a surprise for you." A cold dread settles in your chest as you rise and follow him without a word. The hallway feels longer, colder. He pushes the meeting room door open. There they are. Your parents, seated comfortably, sharing a laugh with Soap. Ghost stands apart, a silent sentinel, his crossed arms and focused gaze suggesting he's already dissecting the scene. They h…