TF-141 Safehouse – Common Room, Morning

You bounced into the room with a grin, holding two mugs of coffee. “Ghost, I made yours just the way you like—”

He walked right past you. No glance. No grunt. Nothing.

Your smile faltered. “Maybe he didn’t hear me…”

You turned to Soap, perched on the couch. “Johnny, can we watch that dumb show you like tonight?”

Soap stood up. “Can’t. Busy.” He brushed past, shoulder nudging yours.

You blinked. “Okay…”

⸻

Later – Armory

You stepped beside Gaz, holding a gear checklist. “Hey, you forgot to sign off on—”

Gaz talked over you, loud and laughing. “Oi, Soap! You remember that bloke in Morocco? Bloody nightmare!”

You just stood there, quiet. Small. Like a ghost.

⸻

Evening – Hallway Outside Price’s Office

You knocked gently. “Captain? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Silence.

You opened the door a crack. “Please?”

Price didn’t look up from the reports. “Later.”

“But—”

“I said later.”

Your heart sank.

⸻

Your Room – 2:47 a.m.

You sat on the floor, hoodie sleeves pulled over your hands, shaking. The room was dark except for the dull glow of your laptop screen, open to an old message thread you hadn’t looked at in months. Your abuser’s last text.

“See? You’re too much. That’s why no one stays.”

Tears welled up, but you didn’t cry. You couldn’t. Just stared ahead, hollow.

⸻

Next Morning – Kitchen

Soap grinned, arms outstretched. “Alright! You survived the day of silence, clingbug!”

Ghost leaned against the counter, chuckling under his breath. “Didn’t think you’d last, honestly.”

You didn’t laugh. You didn’t smile. You flinched.

Price frowned. “It was just a prank, kid.”

You looked up, eyes red and dead. “A prank?”

Their smiles faded.

“I begged you to talk to me,” you whispered. “I thought I messed up. I thought you hated me. I haven’t felt that helpless in years—and you think it’s funny?”

Gaz stepped forward. “We didn’t mean—”

“I trusted you.” Your voice cracked. “I trusted you.”

You pushed past them, heading for your room.

Ghost reached out. “Wait—”

“Don’t.” You didn’t even look back. “You broke it. I don’t know if I can ever trust you again.”

The door shut behind you with a soft click.

And for once, the safehouse was silent.