Ghosts of War | CoD - MW

Chapter 2.

<< There was a deafening silence outside Bruce's house between the strong gushes of winds. Kimberly sat huddled up in a corner on the balcony, her knees brought up to her chin. She was shivering, her snot and tears having turned into ice crystals on her face. The wind was cold, gnawing its way through her clothes. It was a winter storm, which meant that the 10 year old girl couldn't see anything in front of her, and the neighbors couldn't see her either. She felt isolated in her own neighbourhood.

She held her breathing steady, aware that her father would let her back in eventually. He wouldn't forget her, no matter how much he decided to drink. She had after all been sitting there for almost an hour, getting the so-called punishment for having spoken about enlisting herself when she came of age.
Her father had never been supportive of her dreams, but he didn't want her to get hurt in the same ways that he had. But he knew the girl was a lost cause by now. His only regret was ever allowing her to meet Jonathan Price - her big idol. Maybe without his inspiration, she would have listened to her father. He had never seen a child worship somebody like Kimberly worships Price, and it pissed Bruce off.

The door to the backyard was unlocked and opened. Kimberly looked over at her father who peeked his head out, staring at the girl. She sat there patiently, his angered eyes lingering on her. She didn't move a muscle until it was okay for him.
-"You wanna stay outside all night and freeze to death? Come on!" The girl scooted herself up and ran towards the door, pushing past her father and into the house. She hugged herself tightly, feeling chilly all the way into her bones and beyond. "Do you still want to join the military? Huh?! You'll have plenty of nights like those over there, I can promise you that."

-"You need to stop doing this to me, father! No matter how much beating and teaching you're giving me, I won't be convinced. I am joining the army, and I will become Captain. Just like you and future Price," Kimberly said, clenching her small hands into fists. She could see her father's mood take a turn for the worse. It somehow always did when they spoke about this. He was genuinely pissed all the time.

-"What did I tell you about talking back to me? You little bitch!"
Kimberly stood her ground as her father charged at her, but she flinched as soon as he raised his arm. The punch towards her head felt extra painful now that her body was freezing, but she refused to fall down.

The young girl moved her sight up to her father, holding her composure - just like a soldier would. Her father shook his head disapprovingly. He knew she was acting tough. Hell, she was tough, and he hated that.
-"The only thing you will accomplish in the military as a woman, is getting others killed and being killed yourself! You're not joining, and that's final. You'll never become me or Price - NEVER!"

Kimberly felt tears fill her eyes, blurring her sight. She inhaled deeply, answering her father in a way she knew she shouldn't. She couldn't help herself anymore.
-"At least when I join the army, I'll be able to finish the job, whether it will cost me my life or not! I will be better than you in all ways, and Price will teach me. The bomb should have killed you."

Bruce's face turned bright red. It wasn't difficult to see that her words had pissed him off. Hit a nerve. It didn't shock her the least.
-"You ungrateful little whore!" A second blow flew right at her face, almost making her lose her balance, but she didn't cower. She stood her ground, but when the third blow came, she didn't stand a chance. The fist came flying down on her too hard.

The young girl collapsed onto the floor with a loud thud, holding her burning chin. Her tears fell freely now, her breath stuck in her throat. It really hurt when he hit. It hurt most emotionally, because this was her father.
-"You are a monster. The bomb should have killed you!" Kimberly cried again, aware that she overstepped the line once more, but she was too hurt to care. Bruce growled and charged at her, grabbing tightly around Kimberly's throat. The girl tried to cry out and scream, but she couldn't get air in nor out of her throat given his tight grip. She threw her fist down at his hand as she tried to get out of his grip, but it didn't help. He was too strong. She was too weak.