Survivor | S. Ghost Riley

Makarov

2 weeks and 7 days. That's how long it's been since I was kidnapped and taken to Mexico to be used as a bargaining chip against my own brother. It's been 1 week and 7 days since I joined the 141. The training has been tough, more so than I'm used to. I have to be prepared for anything and everything. I've also spent more time doing hand-to-hand combat and ground work. While I'm still the team's designated pilot, I've become even more than that.

The weight of Makarov had been heavy on our shoulders as we prepared for whatever could happen next. Which has meant that my training has been even harder and more arduous than I could have imagined.

My hands tightened around the handle of my gun as I pressed my back against the tacky wallpaper. My heart beat rapidly in my chest and I took in a deep breath. The fact that I know I'm being watched by the entire team was fueling my nerves. I can't tell who I'm more nervous about, Simon or Captain Price.

I cautiously stuck my head around the wall, taking a glance at what could be waiting for me. There was a cardboard cutout of a man, standing in the corner of the next hallway, trying to hide in the dark. I aimed my weapon and shot the cardboard man straight in the head. I scanned the rest of the area for any more cardboard men, but I couldn't see any, so I came around the corner and began to walk on quiet feet.

I kept my gun raised, preparing myself for anything. I came to a junction at the end of the hallway and quickly looked left and right. On the right hand side there was another cardboard man, I quickly examined him, he didn't have a weapon and he was dressed casually, he was a civilian. I then looked left to see a woman who was armed, it was concealed but I could see it. I raised my gun and shot her. 

Once the bullet made contact with the cardboard person, the lights came on. The simulation was finished. I relaxed and lowered my weapon, putting it back in my holster.

Captain Price was the first person to walk in. "Nice work, Mactavish."

"Thank you, sir." I said with a small smile

He then stepped aside so I could exit the area. Johnny and Gaz were being over dramatic, clapping and whooping for absolutely no reason. Simon was also clapping, but with a lot less enthusiasm than the other two men. I looked into his brown eyes to see a slight look of pride.

Johnny stepped forward and clapped his hand on my back enthusiastically. "Good job, moony."

"Thanks." I said with a small smile

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That meeting seemed to drone on forever, Price went over every single aspect of the mission in excruciating detail. He kept looking over at me, like he was expecting me to mess up or something. I know I am new to the team, but I still helped them take down Graves. I'm not incompetent.

I stretched my arms as I walked out of the meeting room, finally. Simon and I were the last people to leave the room, the other members were extremely enthusiastic about getting to the cafeteria for lunch.

"This is a fun way to spend a birthday." Simon muttered to himself as we walked side by side down the hallway.

"Whose Birthday...wait, is it your birthday?" I asked, evidently being louder than he wanted me to be. He very quickly shushed me and looked around before sighing heavily.

"Yes. But no one else knows, and I would prefer to keep it that way." Simon said in a hushed tone

"Sir yes sir." I said with a smile as we continued walking. The two of us were silent for a moment before I lent in and whispered to him. "Happy birthday, Si."

"Yeah, thanks." Simon grumbled. I couldn't help but smile regardless of his closed off persona, he had trusted me with knowing his birthday. The trust he showed me never failed to make a strange feeling stir in my chest. One that I would rather not think too much about.