Behind The Mask (Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 [2022] Fanfiction)

- SIX -

The men's names were Alejandro, Soap, and Ghost. The latter two weren't real names, I knew, but some form of protection for their real names. They were military, teamed up to assist in some sort of mission I wasn't told anything about. And while they had taken the time to rescue me, they didn't continue to have the patience to wait around. 

    "Repeat your last Bravo 0-7...you just found an American woman in the middle of nowhere?"

    Whoever Ghost was talking to on the radio was now aware of my presence. I hoped they would try to get me out of the messed-up situation. He sounded American which made me more confident in trusting the Scottish and British soldiers who worked with him. They would get me to safety. 

    "Aye, sir," Ghost turned away to discuss with the unknown man and his conversation became harder to listen in on.

    "We need to catch up soon. This can't get past us or we risk..." my green eyes strayed to the conversation of Alejandro with his own communication device. He glanced my way and then also milled off to get a more private place to discuss.

    "You're a long way from home," a Scottish accent made me feel less excluded and I turned from where I sat on the tailgate of a truck painted camo. 

    Again, his blue eyes brought me an odd sense of comfort and the seemed to understand more than the fierce gaze of Ghost or untrusting ones from the Mexican Special Forces operator. Soap had been the one to quickly fill me in on light details of who everyone was and what they were doing. His willingness to make things a little less scary didn't go unnoticed.

    I shifted where I sat, watching as Soap rested a muscular, exposed arm on the edge of the truck. His black tee he wore underneath all of the chest gear was rippled with muscle as well.

    "Yes," I cleared my dry throat. "A vacation turned horror story."

    Soap only nodded his dark-haired head. When I coughed and cleared my throat a second time, the soldier reached around his waist to grab a small canteen. "Here lass." 

    I grabbed the canteen, got it open, and then chugged some water, trying to resist the urge to drink all of it. Pulling the cool liquid away from my dry lips, I handed it back to Soap. 

    "Thank you." 

    Soap dipped his head and opened his mouth to continue conversation, but a larger brute stopped him with a heavy entry and deep British voice. 

    "We're bringing her with us," Ghost reported, his dark eyes only on Soap as he stood a few feet away from where my bare legs swung softly off the edge of the tailgate. "General's orders."

    I didn't know whether to feel relief or dread with that news. I'd be protected staying with the three soldiers, however I'd also be right in the middle of danger. Part of me preferred to stay alone and continue toward civilization. 

    "We need to move," Alejandro came up, gaze hidden by dark glasses. His dark facial hair, speckled with a few silvers, shifted as he unclenched his jaw. 

    "Aye," Ghost nodded, moving toward the front of the truck the same as Alejandro did. He directed his voice to his radio. "Shadow-1 standby."

    Soap casually held a hand for me to clutch as I hopped down from the back of the truck. My bare feet silently complained as I landed on the uneven ground and my ankle twinged in discomfort. I forced a tiny smile to Soap as he closed the tailgate and then headed to enter the truck on the passenger side. 

    I followed the motions, grabbing the handle to the backseat of the passenger side. Gingerly, I slid into the squishy backseat, relieved at the surprising amount of comfort the seats gave. Next to me, Ghost sat in an intimidating manner; he wasn't even specifically doing anything to give off intimidation, yet his very presence was enough to make my insides squirm in fear.