Simon "Ghost" Riley oneshots

Evil Dead x Taskforce 141

Episode 1 – Safehouse

The black armored SUV rumbled to a stop beneath towering pine trees, its headlights cutting through the steady curtain of rain before Price switched off the engine.
For a moment...
Silence.
Only the rhythmic tapping of rain on the roof and the distant rumble of thunder filled the forest.
You leaned your head back against the seat, letting out a long breath after the exhausting mission.
Price looked through the windshield at the wooden cabin standing several meters away.
"There she is," he said quietly.
Ghost followed his gaze.
The cabin sat on a small clearing surrounded by endless forest, warm porch lights glowing against the darkness. It wasn't abandoned or forgotten, it was one of the SAS emergency safehouses, hidden far from civilization. From the outside it looked like any ordinary hunting lodge.
Exactly the kind of place no one would ever think to search.
Price opened his door.
"Alright."
He stepped into the rain.
"Let's get settled."
Soap groaned dramatically as he grabbed his rifle.
"My back's officially broken."
Gaz laughed from beside him.
"You've been sitting for four hours."
"Exactly."
Soap rubbed his shoulders.
"It's exhausting."
"You literally did nothing."
"I supervised."
"You slept."
"I supervised with my eyes closed."
Gaz shook his head.
"I work with an idiot."
Soap looked offended.
"A handsome idiot."
"Debatable."
You couldn't help smiling as you climbed out of the vehicle.
The cold mountain air hit your face instantly.
Rain soaked your jacket within seconds.
Ghost silently walked around the SUV, scanning the tree line.
Price noticed.
"Anything?"
Ghost shook his head.
"Clear."
The rear door swung open.
Duffel bags.
Weapon cases.
Medical kits.
Boxes of ammunition.
Everyone immediately fell into routine.
Price grabbed the communications equipment.
Ghost lifted two heavy equipment crates as though they weighed nothing.
Gaz collected food supplies.
You slung your backpack over one shoulder before reaching for another bag.
Soap watched.
"...Need help?"
You raised an eyebrow.
"You volunteering?"
He grinned.
"No."
"...Thought I'd ask."
You shoved another duffel into his chest.
"You just volunteered."
"Oh, betrayal."
Gaz burst into laughter.
"You walked right into that."
The gravel crunched beneath your boots as everyone carried gear toward the cabin.
Soap adjusted the heavy bag on his shoulder.
"I swear these get heavier every mission."
Ghost walked past him without looking.
"They don't."
Soap sighed dramatically.
"See?"
He pointed at Ghost.
"That's why nobody asks him to carry the emotional baggage."
Ghost didn't even acknowledge him.
Price unlocked the front door.
The lock clicked.
The wooden door slowly opened.
Warm air drifted outside.
The cabin was exactly as they had left it months ago.
A stone fireplace dominated the living room.
Leather sofas sat around a worn coffee table.
A staircase led to the second floor.
The kitchen connected openly to the main room.
Everything smelled faintly of cedar wood.
Price flicked on another light.
"Home sweet home."
Gaz whistled.
"Better than sleeping in tents."
Soap immediately threw his duffel onto the couch.
"I claim this."
"No."
Price answered instantly.
Soap blinked.
"...I didn't even finish."
"No."
Ghost walked straight past him carrying equipment upstairs.
Soap sighed.
"He hates happiness."
You walked into the kitchen carrying supplies.
The cupboards were already stocked with emergency rations.
Canned food.
Coffee.
Water.
Medical supplies.
Everything exactly where military logistics expected it to be.
You smiled.
"They restocked."
Price nodded.
"They're efficient."
Soap appeared beside you.
Opening a cupboard.
"...Beans."
Another cupboard.
"...More beans."
Another.
"...Even more beans."
He looked horrified.
"Who lives like this?"
Gaz walked in carrying another box.
"Soldiers."
"Animals."
Ghost returned downstairs.
"Rooms checked."
Price looked up.
"Anything?"
"Negative."
"Perimeter?"
"I'm doing another sweep."
Without another word Ghost disappeared outside again.
Soap watched him leave.
"I think he actually enjoys standing in the rain."
Gaz shrugged.
"I've stopped asking."
Price unfolded a map across the dining table.
"Listen up."
Everyone gathered around.
"Our extraction bird arrives tomorrow at zero seven hundred."
He pointed toward a marked location.
"We leave the cabin at zero six thirty."
Ghost came back inside quietly, rain dripping from his hood.
"Forest's clear."
Price nodded.
"No unnecessary wandering."
Soap raised his hand dramatically.
"What if nature calls?"
Price stared.
"...Take Gaz."
Gaz looked offended.
"Why me?"
"So Ghost doesn't scare wildlife."
Ghost slowly looked at them.
"I heard that."
Soap grinned.
"I know."
Everyone immediately began settling into routine.
Gaz unpacked communication equipment.
Price checked encrypted channels.
Ghost cleaned his rifle with practiced precision.
You carried blankets upstairs.
Soap wandered around pretending to help.
Pretending.
"Soap."
"Hm?"
"You're holding an empty box."
"...Am I?"
You folded your arms.
"Yes."
He looked down.
"...I've been carrying this for five minutes."
Gaz laughed so hard he nearly dropped the radio.
Later...
The rain intensified outside.
Thunder echoed across the mountains.
The fireplace crackled warmly.
Ghost finally removed his soaked tactical jacket, revealing the fitted black compression shirt beneath.
Soap looked over.
"You know..."
Ghost ignored him.
"You could smile once."
Nothing.
"It won't kill you."
Ghost finally looked up.
"Want to test that theory?"
Soap immediately looked away.
"...Never mind."
Gaz snorted.
You unpacked medical supplies onto the kitchen counter.
Ghost quietly walked over.
"Need a hand?"
You looked surprised.
"I've got it."
He nodded once.
"If you need anything."
Soap's eyes widened.
Gaz leaned toward him.
"Did..."
Soap whispered.
"...Did Ghost just voluntarily offer help?"
Gaz nodded slowly.
"I think we should write today's date down."
Ghost gave them both a look.
They instantly became very interested in absolutely anything else.
Price finished checking the radio.
"Comms are working."
Gaz gave a thumbs-up.
"Generator's stable."
"The satellite uplink?"
"Online."
"Security cameras?"
Ghost answered.
"Operational."
Price finally relaxed.
"Good."
For the first time in days...
Nobody had anywhere to be.
No helicopters.
No explosions.
No incoming fire.
Just...
Peace.
Soap stretched across one sofa dramatically.
"This..."
He sighed happily.
"...is living."
Price looked over.
"You're still on watch rotation."
Soap's smile disappeared.
"I spoke too soon."
You disappeared upstairs to unpack your room.
The bedroom was simple.
Wooden walls.
A neatly made bed.
A small desk.
A window overlooking the forest.
Rain rolled down the glass.
The woods seemed endless.
Beautiful.
Peaceful.
You smiled to yourself.
For once...
Everything felt normal.
Downstairs—
Gaz had somehow convinced Soap to help prepare dinner.
Which immediately became a mistake.
"You burned it."
"I seasoned it."
"It's black."
"It's smoked."
"It's charcoal."
"It's artisan charcoal."
Price pinched the bridge of his nose.
Ghost quietly stood up.
"I'm cooking."
Soap looked shocked.
"You cook?"
Ghost answered flatly.
"I survive."
Twenty minutes later...
The cabin smelled incredible.
Soap stared at Ghost.
"...You've been hiding this."
Ghost placed plates on the table.
"Eat."
Soap took one bite.
His eyes widened.
"...Lieutenant."
Ghost continued eating.
"This is the best thing I've had in months."
Price smirked.
"I told you."
Gaz nodded enthusiastically.
"You've been holding out on us."
Ghost simply continued eating in silence.
Laughter slowly filled the cabin.
Stories from old missions.
Arguments over terrible music choices.
Soap insisting Scotland produced the world's greatest food.
Everyone else disagreeing.
Even Price chuckled.
You watched them around the table.
This...
This was why Task Force 141 worked.
Not because they were the best soldiers.
Because they were family.
A loud crack of thunder shook the cabin.
The lights flickered once.
Then steadied again.
Soap glanced toward the window.
"Storm's getting worse."
Price looked outside.
"We're not going anywhere tonight."
Ghost silently watched the rain disappear into the darkness beyond the porch.
Something about the forest felt unusually still...
But he kept the thought to himself.
Tonight was supposed to be quiet.
Just another night in another safehouse.
None of you knew...
By tomorrow, everything would change.