Phantom ~ [Simon Ghost Riley]

XLI. Call of Duty

"I'm sorry," Ghost says as he slowly removes his hand from my arm.

"Don't be," I say as I drop my gaze. "If this is what you wanted... Then it's for the best, no?"

"Ace," he says, tipping his head back a little. "Come on."

"I'm really sorry, Simon," I say before looking up at him again. "But I'm gonna need time too."

I can't act like nothing happened.

His dark brown eyes drop to the ground now, the sun giving me just enough lighting to see behind his mask. "Yeah, okay," he says before stepping back. "Good luck today, then."

"You too," I mumble before entering the shooting range again. I sigh, letting my arms drop beside my body after having held them in front of me.

It hurts seeing him, but it hurts even more to act like he's just my lieutenant. I can't help but wonder what's going on in his mind right now, but it seems like that's something I won't ever find out.

Soap tips his chin at me once I get back. "All good?" He asks.

"Yeah, fine," I respond, grabbing the gun he's holding out of me. But right when I duck down to start shooting, Ghost's voice interrupts us.

"Soldiers," he says, his voice loud. "We're gonna change it up a bit. Switch duos, and find a spot outside. We're gonna do some sparring."

"-But," someone says from the left side of the range, trying to protest.

"No," Ghost immediately cuts them off. "Listen when you get an order."

I look over at Soap, my brows raising from Simon's change in tone. Soap's brows are raised too, but a small smirk is tugging on his lips. He knows Ghost better than anyone, so he can probably tell what's going on just by the smallest change in his voice.

"Move. We don't have all day," Ghost says, his voice now even louder.

"Christ.. alright," I whisper to Soap before we start heading towards the exit. "See ya, I guess."

"So long partner," Soap says before we split up.

When I'm finally outside and on the grass field, I notice Keegan standing a bit off to the side. We lock eyes and I tip my chin up at him before pointing at him. He nods in response, and I slowly make my way over to him.

"Sup, Kee," I say once I reach him, my feet still dragging through the damp grass.

"Hey," he responds in his usual cool tone. "What's up with him today?" he asks, referring to Ghost.

"I uh," I mumble, trying to find the right words. "I'm not sure."

"-Go on," Ghost's loud voice interrupts everyone again. "Show me how it's done, then."

"Alright, Ace.. Ready for another try?" Keegan says with amusement in his tone.

"I'm gonna turn that one to ten into a two to ten. Don't you worry," I chuckle.

"Okay, okay. Confidence... That's good," Keegan says, his eyes squinting slightly. "But actions speak louder than words."

I take on a defensive stance, keeping my hands near my face and my elbows covering my upper body. It's time for me to put Price's self-defense lessons to work.

As Keegan circles around me, I try to anticipate his moves, my eyes tracking his every subtle shift in weight. He feints a jab, testing my reflexes, but I stand my ground, not falling for his trickery. His quickness is impressive, his footwork precise and calculated. I've sparred with Keegan before, and he's always one of the hardest ones to beat.