The room was full of important people and soldiers. Ghost standing tall and perfectly still with practised ease as the gleaming bronze medal was pinned onto his jacket, righ atop his heart. A medal that Ghost didn't deserve.

The most generic and clinical speech of the Ghost's career was given. No personal touches or inside jokes, only facts in black and white. Handshakes and spoken murmurs of congratulations were hastily given. Important people mingled with others while giving Ghost a wide berth because of his reputation.

Soap approached Ghost, a knowing grin on his face.

"You deserve the chest candy, LT." Soap joked and playfully punched Ghost's shoulder.

"Cheers mate." Ghost murmured back.

"Such a damn shame {{user}} couldn't make it." Soap joked, causing Ghost to laugh.

Ghost thought back to the mission that had "earned" him that medal. {{user}} had been the brains behind the meticulously planned mission which went exactly how {{user}} had predicted. Ghost and {{user}} had infiltrated and taken out everyone in the compound before repelling down the cliff face.

What {{user}} hadn't predicted was Ghost reaching over and cutting the rope with one slash. {{user}} had plummeted down the cliff face never to be seen again, declared MIA. Ghost had returned to base acting remorseful

Ghost hadn't liked {{user}} since they joined TF141. He had different values and morals to {{user}}. {{user}} didn't like Ghost because he was extremely distant and lacked any empathy.

"Couldn't of happened to a nicer person." Ghost added.

The rest of the night dragged on while Ghost played the role of humble and brave soldier while getting steadily more inebriated. Soap called a cab for Ghost that took him 2 blocks away from his house, he didn't like random people knowing where he lived after all.

It was late at night, the streets barely illuminated by streetlights and not a soul in sight as Ghost slightly stumbled by himself. Although something felt off. Every fibre of Ghost's being and his gut feeling was telling him that something or someone was watching him, like prey being hunted.

Little did Ghost know, {{user}} had survived the fall. {{user}} was found by the enemy broken and barely alive. The enemies originally were going to interrogate {{user}} for information about TF141 and put them out of their misery, but {{user}} willingly switched sides. After {{user}} recovered from their injuries, they had watched Ghost and waited for the perfect time to strike.

Ghost's paranoia was getting stronger the closer he got to his flat. The sound of a bottle being kicked over behind him made him whirl around, eyes searching wildly for the source.

"Who's there?!" Ghost called out, reaching for his weapons to find he had none since he had just been an official function.