Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 13: Over

Soap's POV:

The first light of dawn filtered through the tent, casting a soft glow over the camp. I lay there for a moment, letting the warmth of the morning sun chase away the remnants of the night's terrors. Ghost had stayed with me throughout the night, a silent sentinel against the darkness. His steady presence had been my anchor, and for that, I was grateful.

The sounds of the camp coming to life reached my ears—the low murmur of voices, the clatter of equipment, the distant hum of the generator. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and stretching the stiffness from my limbs. Ghost was already awake, standing at the entrance of the tent, watching the horizon with a thoughtful expression.

He turned as I got to my feet, his eyes locking onto mine. There was something in his gaze, an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "Morning, Soap. Sleep alright?"

I nodded, though we both knew the truth. "Better than I expected. Thanks to you."

He stepped closer, his hand lingering on my shoulder a moment longer than necessary. "What are friends for, right?"

I returned his smile, feeling a surge of determination. Today was the day we would take the fight back to the enemy. The mission to stop the terrorist was more than just an assignment; it was a chance for redemption, a way to reclaim the parts of me that had been torn away.

As we stepped out of the tent, the crisp morning air filled my lungs, invigorating and bracing. The camp was a hive of activity, soldiers moving with purpose as they prepared for the day ahead. Captain Price stood near a cluster of vehicles, his presence commanding and reassuring. He caught sight of us and nodded in our direction.

"Soap, Ghost," he called out, his voice carrying over the noise. "Time for a briefing."

We made our way over, joining the rest of the team. Gaz was there, along with a few other familiar faces. Despite the gravity of our mission, there was a sense of camaraderie, a shared resolve that bolstered my spirits.

Price laid out the details with his usual precision. "We've received intel on the terrorist's location. He's holed up in a fortified compound on the outskirts of the city. Our objective is to infiltrate, neutralize the threat, and gather any intel we can find."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled team. "This is it, gentlemen. We go in hard, we go in fast, and we bring him down. Any questions?"

There were none. We all knew what was at stake. As we geared up, the familiar weight of my equipment settled over me like an old friend. The click of my holster, the heft of my rifle—each motion was a reminder of my purpose.

Ghost fell into step beside me as we moved towards the vehicles. There was a charged silence between us, an unspoken tension that neither of us dared to address. "You ready for this?"

I met his gaze, the fear and doubt of the night replaced by steely resolve. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's finish this."

The ride to the compound was tense, the silence punctuated only by the rumble of the engine and the occasional crackle of the radio. My mind raced, alternating between the horrors of my captivity and the fierce determination to see this mission through. The team's presence around me was a steadying force, a reminder that I wasn't alone.

We reached the outskirts of the city as the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows over the landscape. The compound loomed ahead, a grim fortress against the skyline. We disembarked, moving swiftly and silently into position. Price's voice came over the comms, calm and authoritative.

"Alpha team, take the left flank. Bravo team, you're with me on the right. Stay sharp, and watch each other's backs."

Ghost and I were part of Alpha team. As we approached the compound, the tension between us was palpable. My heart pounded in my chest, but it wasn't fear that drove me—it was resolve. We breached the perimeter with practiced efficiency, the crack of gunfire shattering the morning stillness.

The firefight was intense, the air thick with smoke and the acrid scent of gunpowder. Bullets whizzed past, striking walls and ricocheting off metal. I moved through the chaos, my focus razor-sharp. Ghost was a constant presence at my side, his movements fluid and precise.

We pushed forward, clearing room after room, the enemy falling before us. Each step was a reclaiming of my strength, a testament to my will to survive. The compound's interior was a maze of corridors and fortified positions, but we pressed on, driven by our mission.

At last, we reached the heart of the compound. The terrorist leader stood before us, a sneer on his face as he raised his weapon. But he was no match for the fury we unleashed. With a final burst of gunfire, he fell, the threat extinguished.

As the dust settled, I stood amidst the wreckage, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The mission was over, but the battle within me was far from finished. Ghost clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. His touch sent a jolt through me, a reminder of the unspoken bond between us.

"We did it, Soap. It's over."

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. "Yeah. It's over."