GHOST - SHORT STORIES

IT WAS ALL JUST A DREAM, RIGHT? - PART TWO

The unopened plastic packet sits in it's place upon your dresser. The white boxing gloves encased within it. And your mind stuck.

Unmoving.

Replaying the same conversation.

Over and over again.

Your Lieutenant's words on repeat as if inside of an echo-chamber.

The nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach is relentless. Giving you no reprieve of it's heavy implications.

A constant and unforgiving reminder of this strange shift in your reality.

Eyes flickering towards the locked door that stands opposite you.

Heart hammering as you wait. As if the handle might twist. As if it might creak open.

As if Ghost might walk in and find you within the confines of your room.

And as if taking cruel advantage of just how on edge you are, a heavy knock upon the wood damn near causes you to jump out of your skin. A sharp breath pulled into your lungs as you spring to your feet.

Dampening your lips with a swipe of your tongue.

Chest heaving.

Almost too afraid to answer.

But too curious to let your visitor go.

Fingers curl around the metal handle, and with one deep breath, you pull open the door.

Just enough to get a look upon who awaits your attention. But not far enough to let them in.

Not yet.

And when your gaze falls upon their features, you feel your stomach twist in a pang of disappointment.

You're not entirely sure why.

"You comin' to trainin' or what?"

Gaz stands before you; a puzzled look painted upon his features as he seems to notice the way you shelter behind the door.

"Training? There's no –"

Realisation crashes down on you like ice cold water. It's not exactly surprising that your thoughts had been elsewhere; lost in your new discovery. Lost enough, at least, to allow you to forget the weekly team training session.

"Shit! I forgot - I'm – tell Price I'll be .."

"Relax. I'll wait for you."

"Thanks Gaz."

Pushing the door shut, you peel away from it before the soft click echoes through the quiet room. A frenzied mess as you pull off your sweatshirt and cloth shorts. Replacing the comfortable attire for your standard issue cargos and a tee.

Tumbling into the hallway once you've managed to get yourself into your boots.

Gaz outstretching a hand to stop you from meeting with the opposite wall.

"You're bein' weird. Everythin' alright?"

"Mhm."

He deliberates for no longer than a second; deciding on whether or not to press the issue.

He'll ask again later.

Maybe when you're a little less ... frazzled.

Quickening his pace to keep up with your hurried strides. Though still a few steps behind you as you barrel into the training room.

Eyes upon you. The team; a handful of recruits loaned out to assist with the upcoming infiltration mission. Price needed more hands on deck. Wasn't overly pleased with Laswell sending him newbies. But he's learnt to pick his battles when it came to Kate - and that wasn't one he felt like initiating.