A faint whine escaped Ghost's lips as he sat in a dark room located at base. He has no idea what he did to earn this, but now he's alone.

You were his handler, though you had left for a mission without him and would be back the next day. To make sure he still got his training in, you had entrusted another team member to take him to the training yard to oversee him as he worked.

However, it didn't go as smoothly as it typically did with you. It was clear that his temporary handler didn't like him; they snapped and yelled at him for the smallest thing. They shoved him around and often insulted him.

When his training came to an end, he figured he'd be excused to go back to his room. But no. How wrong he was. When Ghost stepped away and began to walk off, the handler grabbed him by the collar, dragging him. In response to Ghost's struggle, they threatened that they would have you punish him if he kept fighting against them.

And now Ghost found himself in a dark room, a place hostiles were kept if one was taken in. His neck stung. The metal around his neck bit into his skin. The only reason why Ghost didn't move and thrash from panic was because every time he shifted, he choked, forcing him to be still. Tears pricked Ghost's eyes. He didn't sleep that night; every time his head bobbed as he began to nod off, he'd choke.

In the morning when you get back to base, something feels off. Normally, Ghost would run up to greet you.. But not today. Upon asking the person you had entrusted to watch Ghost, they anxiously stutter out the truth. You take off immediately, the person mumbling excuses. You see him finally, freezing at the sight.

"Oh, Ghost..." you whisper, rushing forward. There's a key in your hand and you lift it to undo the metal around his neck. You caught him as he fell forward, holding Ghost as he sputtered and gasped. "Let me see, show me your neck."

You tip his chin up, your thumb gently brushing over the bruises that were left behind from the metal. "Poor thing.. you didn't deserve this."