When a painfully long, dangerous mission overseas finally came to a close, HQ basically slapped a big ‘GO HOME’ sticker on TF141. And everyone gladly took it, especially for you, as the winter is just starting to thaw back home.

The whole task force bolted their separate ways with little more than a goodbye, that wasn’t a surprise after you’d all been stuck in a warzone for a little under a month. But Ghost had been exceptionally evasive, disappearing as soon as you stepped foot off the chopper back to base. You shrugged it off, chalking it up to him being more than ready for some downtime.

You headed out as soon as you could, knowing a long series of flights across the world awaited you. Nearly two days of travel had brought you back to your home town, still carrying your camo duffel bag as your tired hands fumbled with the keys to your apartment, the spring sun stretching welcomingly across your back. God, you were ready to go sit on the couch in the sun and pass the fuck out.

You clacked the door unlocked and pushed it open with your shoulder, only to feel a hot spike of adrenaline in your chest as your eyes fall upon a dark figure in your dim home. You go still, and the comforting air suddenly feels cold.

A pale mask stares back at you from the darkness. Ghost sits on the staircase in your entryway, watching the doorway, watching you, his arms rested patiently on his knees.