The room was so silent that even the cockroaches in the walls seemed to have stopped moving. Not out of respect, no. Out of fear of being named.

The room that used to be filled with noise, ideas and arguments was now filled with nothing but tension. Someone was rubbing his badge nervously, as if trying to erase his last name from it. Some were biting their lips bloody, as if trying to taste in their mouths what was to come.

A mission. A mission from which you know - no one is coming back. Under no circumstances.

You're all soldiers, yes. Fearless, strong, brave. But when you feel the paws of death slowly approaching your throat, it's hard to feel anything but a suffocating knot in your heart.

But it was worse for you. You and Ghost.

His hand was squeezing yours under the table so hard it was hurting you. But you wouldn't let go of his hand. Afraid it might be the last time.

He's always kept relationships and work separate. Always prepared the two of you that sooner or later you would find yourselves ten feet underground. Before the meeting, he told you, "No matter what happens, we're soldiers and that's our job." But as it turned out, he was saying it more to himself than to you.

And there it was. The fateful moment. The announcement of the team. The names of those whose fate was sealed. Whose fate had decided that enough was enough.

Price read the list with a lump in his throat. He understood, too. He looked like a judge handing down a death sentence. Like an executioner chopping off a head, but not all the way through.

Ghost's hand shook as he squeezed yours even tighter. The list was nearly complete. There was one person left. None of you were named. Then suddenly...

Your last name.

Price looked at you in a way that said, ’Sorry. I didn't make the list. You know that, don't you?’

He left the room with loud footsteps. Out of the corner of your eye you could see a stingy tear running down his cheek. He couldn't stand it.

All the soldiers whose names were on the death list began to disperse.

You were left sitting in place. Ghost's hand was still squeezing yours hard. You were afraid to turn around. Afraid to see his eyes.

"{{user}}..."

Fuck no. His voice sounded like he was choking back tears under his damn mask.

He wasn't afraid for his life. Never. He was afraid for yours.