A Collection of Short Stories | Simon Riley "Ghost" x Reader

a dive beyond duty: chapter 1

The sky was painted in hues of dusk, the soft illumination barely breaking through the dense canopy of trees.

Shadows danced as the wind rustled the leaves, the forest echoing with the deceptive tranquility of nature.

But beneath this veneer of calmness, danger lurked.

Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and you had been dropped into this dense forest just hours ago.

The mission was simple, at least on paper: infiltrate a hidden enemy camp, gather intelligence, and extract unnoticed.

But reality seldom played by the rules of paper.

As you stealthily made your way towards the camp, the initial confidence of the team had been palpable.

Your footsteps were synchronized, each movement rehearsed to perfection.

There was a camaraderie between the team, a bond built on trust and shared experiences.

But that bond was soon to be tested.

Suddenly, the shrill alarm of the camp cut through the forest, tearing apart the ambiance.

Flashes of light, gunshots, and commotion followed in quick succession.

The plan, so meticulously laid out, had gone awry.

Price's voice crackled through the comms, his tone urgent and clipped, "Retreat! Pull out, now!"

Panic surged within you, the sense of betrayal by the very environment you were trained to navigate.

You tried to regroup with the others, but the fog of war and the disorienting nature of the forest pulled you apart.

Your heart raced as the chaos of the situation became all too real.

Every noise seemed amplified, every shadow a potential threat.

Your thoughts were a tumultuous mix of fear, determination, and anxiety.

Losing your team, in a hostile environment, wasn't an option.

But the enveloping darkness, combined with the deafening chorus of nocturnal creatures, made it near impossible to discern direction.

With every step, the sensation of isolation grew, a weight that threatened to crush your resolve.

Ghost's voice, laden with concern, echoed in your earpiece, "Y/N, how copy? Where are you?"

You pressed the comm button, keeping your voice as low as possible.

"Separated. Trying to find a way back to you." Pausing, you attempted to take quick stock of your surroundings.

The inky darkness made discerning features difficult, but there was a distinct sound that grabbed your attention – the unmistakable rush of water, not too distant.

It was a potential landmark to help navigate, or potentially a trap waiting to ensnare the unwary.

The urgency in Ghost's voice intensified, "Stay put, we'll find you."

But in the vastness of the forest, with enemies on your trail and the relentless sound of the water drawing you closer, staying put was the last thing on your mind.

The deafening cacophony of the trees, filled with chirping crickets, distant hoots of owls, and the rustling of leaves, created a deceptive serenity.

But through it all, your heightened senses caught an anomaly—a stealthy footfall, the hesitant snap of a twig.

The realization that you weren't alone sent a sharp pang of dread down your spine.

Your fingers instinctively curled around the grip of your firearm, its cold metal offering a semblance of comfort in the heart of uncertainty.