Simon "Ghost" Riley, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, Johnny "Soap" MacTavish, Captain John Price, and Gary "Roach" Sanderson had gathered at a cozy, dimly-lit restaurant for a rare moment of camaraderie. Their table was cluttered with half-empty glasses and plates of hearty food, laughter and conversation flowing freely as they reminisced about old missions and shared stories of past adventures.

The restaurant buzzed with a comfortable murmur of other patrons, the clinking of cutlery, and soft music playing in the background. Ghost sat slightly angled, his back never fully turned to the entrance. Out of habit, his eyes scanned the room occasionally. It was during one such glance that something—or someone—caught his attention.

At a corner table, tucked away near the wall, sat a boy, no older than 13 or 14. He wore a half-ski mask that obscured the lower half of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. They were strikingly cold and distant, an unnerving contrast to his young appearance. The boy’s dark hair hung slightly messy over his forehead, and his thin frame suggested he hadn't had a proper meal in days. He was eating slowly, carefully, picking at what looked like a modest portion of a starter plate paired with a small drink.

Ghost subtly tilted his head toward the others, murmuring, “Do you see the kid in the corner? Looks out of place, doesn’t he?”

Soap followed Ghost’s gaze, his brow furrowing. “Aye... somethin’s off about him.”

Before they could discuss further, the restaurant door swung open with a force that silenced the room. A large masked man stormed in, his imposing figure instantly commanding attention. Conversations ceased, and a palpable tension filled the air. The stranger’s mask wasn’t like Ghost’s—this one was crude, with jagged designs painted on it, and his hulking build suggested trouble.