The Reaper - Simon Riley

IV - Detour

A/N: Hiii! :) I hope you enjoy.

TWs at the end of the chapter.

--

I sat on the transport aircraft, across from Danny. I looked over at him - he seemed nervous about this mission. We were both strapped into the seats of the aircraft, way too high up in the air. To my right, was Matt, who was throwing daggers my way as a worried expression was plastered on my face.

The aircraft was loud, deafening as the engines roared. I started to reach out for Danny across the aisle but before I could reach for him - Matt raised his arm and fired a single shot at him. Blood poured against the wall, down Danny's body and when I turned to look at Matt, he had a sick grin across his face. All I could hear was my screaming.

My eyes snapped open; my body covered in sweat; my chest heaving as I gulped down air. My throat was raw like I had really been screaming. I lifted myself from the bed. I was so tired from this, so exhausted and I didn't know when the images of Danny bleeding out on the cold forest floor would leave.

Every nightmare was just a different iteration of him dying. I rubbed my eyes, trying to physically scrub the image from my eyes. A soft knock echoed on my door, and I froze - my body completely still.

I didn't move, I didn't breathe, I didn't even look towards the door.

Another knock and I still didn't answer. Soon, I heard boots walking away - slowly and finally nothing. I let out a deep breath as my body still trembled from the nightmare.

I forced myself to head to the door afterwards, opening it just slightly to peer out; I didn't see much down the hallway, so I closed the door.

--

A few hours later, I sat in the briefing room; legs crossed as I leaned back in the uncomfortable metal chair. We were on schedule to leave in two hours and I hardly even knew what was happening. Soap sat next to me on my left and Gaz on my right - I got to know everyone last night after my short interaction with Ghost.

I knew everyone a little too much now. We decided that drinking was a good idea before an important mission. A stupid mistake that we all knew would make Ghost furious if he found out so it was kind of hush-hush and on the down low. Now half of us had a splitting headache and we all groaned whenever our eyes met the bright fluorescent lights.

Ghost stood next to Captain Price at the front of the room, going over details of this mission. Gaz and Soap were jabbing each other playfully - poking and prodding; and with me sitting in the middle I got mixed up into the shenanigans.

I was laughing quietly with them until I felt a certain gaze linger on me and my eyes slowly raised up to meet Ghost's. He tilted his head slowly and flickered his eyes between the boys that sat next to me - a look of disapproval.

It was a look that instantly knocked me back into my place, I gave Gaz and Soap a look before making them pay attention again. I looked back to Ghost and I swear I could see the faint outline of a smirk under his balaclava.

Speaking of, it was the first time I saw him only wearing a balaclava; it humanized him a little bit. My eyes betrayed me and lingered on him just a little too long. He caught my gaze again.