Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞

As everyone dispersed to attend to their own tasks, you found yourself alone in Ghost's office, surrounded by the lingering presence of his masculine smell. The weight of the task at hand settled upon you as you stared at the codes spread out across the desk. Ghost's absence only added to the pressure, leaving you to navigate through the cryptic messages on your own. Furrowing your brow in concentration, you began to decipher the intricate patterns woven within the numbers and symbols. Each line seemed to hold a hidden meaning, a puzzle waiting to be solved. You sifted through the documents, searching for any clues or hints that might shed light on their true significance.

The silence of the room enveloped you, broken only by the occasional rustle of paper as you shuffled through the documents. Time seemed to blur as you delved deeper into the mystery, your mind racing to unlock the secrets concealed within the codes. As you continued to analyze the data, a startling realization dawned upon you. The seemingly random sequences were coordinates, meticulously embedded within the financial transcripts. 

Excitement surged through you as you pieced together the significance of the coordinates. They pointed to various locations around the globe, locations that held strategic importance or were known hotspots for shadow activity. It became evident that these coordinates were not just random numbers but rather a carefully constructed network of information, guiding the movements of the shadows and potentially revealing their next targets. Your heart raced with the implications of this discovery. It meant that the shadows were not operating in isolation but were part of a larger, coordinated effort with specific objectives in mind. Armed with this newfound knowledge, you realized that you held a crucial piece of the puzzle, one that could provide invaluable insights into their plans and motivations. With a sense of urgency, you made notes of the coordinates, determined to share your findings with Ghost.

You ran upstairs and burst into Ghost's room unannounced, expecting to find him alone, but your heart sank at the unexpected sight. There, in the room, was Ava, engaged in what appeared to be a casual conversation with Ghost. The atmosphere shifted instantly, and you felt a pang of discomfort and frustration. Ava turned to look at you, surprise evident on her face, while Ghost glanced up, his expression unreadable. The tension in the room was palpable as you stood there, unsure of what to say or do next. Attempting to mask your unease, you cleared your throat and addressed Ghost directly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," you mumbled, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up your neck.

Ghost nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he turned his attention back to Ava. "We'll talk later," he told you, his tone clipped but polite. Feeling like an intruder in your own team's quarters, you quickly made your exit, and the image of Ava and Ghost together burned into your mind. Questions and doubts swirled in your head as you retreated from the room, leaving behind a sense of unease that lingered long after you had gone. 

As you descended the stairs, the weight of what you'd just witnessed hung heavy on your mind, a dull ache settling in your chest. Lost in your thoughts, you barely noticed Keegan and Viper until Keegan's voice broke through your reverie, causing you to startle. "Hey, Serpent, you alright?" Keegan's concerned tone snapped you back to reality, and you quickly composed yourself, forcing a small smile. "Uh, yeah," you replied, trying to sound convincing despite the turmoil inside. "Just got a lot on my mind, y'know, the mission and stuff."

Keegan eyed you skeptically, his arms crossed in front of him, but Viper chimed in with a reassuring smile. "You'll do great. Don't stress too much," he said, his words infused with positivity that helped ease the tension in your chest. Unable to resist, you returned his smile, grateful for the brief reprieve from your swirling thoughts. "We were about to take a walk around the base if you'd like to come." Keegan said and you thought for a moment before responding, "Sure, I could use some fresh air," you replied, grateful for the distraction. The three of you stepped outside into the crisp air, the sun casting a warm glow over the base. As you walked, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of your stomach.

The base buzzed with activity, soldiers going about their duties with purpose. Yet, amidst the familiar bustle, the presence of the Shadows loomed large, their movements calculated and their intentions unclear. You couldn't help but notice their increased numbers, a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics within the ranks. Despite the outward appearance of normalcy, the shadows that now roamed the base seemed to cast a veil of uncertainty over everything, leaving you on edge. 

As you walked with Keegan and Viper, the desire to learn more about this new acquaintance prompted you to break the silence. "So, Viper, what's your story?" you asked, curious about his background. Viper glanced at you, considering his response. "I joined the Marines straight out of high school," he began, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Served a few years, did my time. Then I was offered a spot in the Shadows." Your eyebrows raised in surprise. "What made you want to join the Shadows?" you inquired, intrigued by his choice. Viper shrugged nonchalantly. "The paycheck," he replied with a hint of humor, his tone laced with a mix of pragmatism and jest.

"So, what about you?" Viper asked, turning the conversation to you. You considered his question for a moment before replying, "I grew up in Manchester and joined the British army when I was 18. Now I'm here." Viper gave you a puzzled look. "I thought you were American," he remarked. You shrugged in response. "I said grew up, not born," you clarified with a smirk. Viper chuckled at your response. "Fair point," he conceded, his laughter echoing in the crisp air as the three of you continued your stroll around the base. 

As you walked, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, and you found yourself enjoying the company of Keegan and Viper. The unease from earlier began to dissipate as you focused on the camaraderie between you. After some time, you notice the sun starting to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the base. It was time to head back, but you felt more at ease now, grateful for the distraction and the chance to bond with your comrades even if you knew you couldn't trust Viper.

1104 words