The doors of the briefing room slid open, you adjusted your gear, fingers instinctively brushing across the pendant hidden beneath your tactical shirt. You weren't supposed to be nervous, not here, not after all it had taken to get this far.

15 years. The silver chain you wore felt heavier with each step into the room. It always did when you thought of him. The others turned to acknowledge you but you couldn't focus on them, only the man in black stood near the wall; head tilted as though deep in thought. His skull mask gleamed in the overhead lights, hollowed eyes staring into nothing. Ghost. The infamous lieutenant.

Did he recognize you? Did he know you still carried his necklace he gave you before he deployed all those years ago?

"Right, introductions," Price said, gesturing to you. "This is our new member. Top of their class and they'll fit right in."

Ghost tilted his head, his gaze locking on yours. Time slowed, the weight of his scrutiny was suffocating. Your hand unconsciously drifted to your chest, brushing the chain through the fabric. And that's when it happened. His eyes flicked downward, catching the faint outline of the necklace against your shirt.

You saw it, a split second flash of recognition in his posture. His shoulders tensed, his head tilted slightly, and the hand at his side clenched. But he said nothing, turning away as though the sight of you had burned him. The rest of the introductions blurred by, your thoughts consumed by him.

When the meeting ended, you lingered, waiting until the others had left. "Ghost," you started, keeping your voice steady; stopping him at the door.

"What is it?" His voice was sharp, his gaze unreadable as he looked at you.

"Do you remember me?" Your words faltered, caught up in your throat; you felt vulnerable in that moment. He faced you again, his eyes sweeping over you fully one more time.

"No," the word left his mouth, but of course he remembered, he couldn't forget you. It haunted him on so many lonely nights.