Phantom ~ [Simon Ghost Riley]

IV. The ribbons

My legs grow tired while walking back to the main field. Once again, I've managed to keep a good distance between Ghost and myself. He's about 15 meters behind me. We haven't spoken a word the whole way.

The walk is about 20 minutes. 

As the main field nears, I can make out soldiers doing some random exercises around the planes. Price is standing talking to Soap. I wonder what they're talking about.

Soap swiftly looks in our direction, immediately raising his hand to wave at us. I wave back, looking behind me to see Ghost has ignored him.

"Nice, Ace. Didn't think you'd do so well," Soap says as I finally reach them.

"So much for the tough guy act, huh?" I reply jokingly.

"I'm a tough guy, what are you talking about?"

Someone chuckles and I look behind Soap to see Gaz. I smile at him, thankful for the information he gave me earlier.

"How is your arm?" I ask him.

"It's good. Bandage still on tight. Thanks again. Bet ya it would've gotten a nasty infection if you weren't there," Gaz says.

"You did that?" Soap asks.

"Well... I didn't give him the injury," I say "I bandaged him up. Had some supplies with me."

"That's good, Ace. You've exceeded my expectation today," Price says, "Let's see the ribbons."

"Thank you, captain. I'm glad," I reach for my pocket. My heart immediately stops as my hand meets an empty pocket.

What the fuck?

"I.." I check all my pockets, "They were in here. I could've sworn they were in here."

"You sure you had them?" Soap jokes.

I'm not in the mood for jokes right now. He knows I did.

"Yes, Soap. I swear. I don't know whe-"

Suddenly someone roughly grabs my hand before dropping a bundle of ribbons in my palm.

"What, how-" I don't know what just happened. I look up to see Ghost eyeing me down. He quickly breaks eye contact and goes to stand near Price.

"Did you steal them from me?" I ask slightly offended.

"No."

"Then how did you-"

"You should keep a better eye on your stuff, sergeant."

"You stole them-"

"You dropped them when walking back, sergeant. Good thing I was behind you," He squints.

"You're lying,"

"I don't lie," he spits back, "If I managed to get them from you, believe me, I'd be telling everyone on this fucking field."

I don't know what to say. I don't know what is wrong with this guy. I look at Soap. His eyes widen for a split second, then he shrugs. He doesn't know either.

"It's alright, Ace. I'm just glad you managed to get some. Let's see it."

I open the fist that I had closed shut from anger, revealing my five ribbons.

"Aye, how did you do that? Fucking hell," Soap says.

"Five... Impressive, sergeant. Good work," Price takes the ribbons from my hand.

"Ghost?" Price asks.

He reaches inside one of his pockets, pulling out a bundle of ribbons close in size to mine. Could it be?