A Ghost of You

Chapter 18

The day finally came when you were positioned to test your skills to their full potential. Were you prepared for it? Perhaps. But deep inside, you know that there's something else lingering... Maybe... just maybe... it's the connection you feel for Ghost. He's a distraction, yet he's the one who builds you up to be a better soldier. What a shame that your feelings conflict with your work.

"We're here." Said the pilot as the plane slowly descends towards the pavement track. "Soap and the rest of the team are already waiting for us. Let's get moving, soldiers." Ghost swiftly got up from his seat and started grabbing his belongings. It was a lot, but what can you expect from constantly being on the move for years? The hatch opened, and saw a few figures waiting. You quickly noticed and felt a sigh of relief going over your chest.

You quickly unbuckled and grabbed your belongings as well. You noticed that you brought quite a bit of luggage to the mission. It was a lot of weight on your shoulders, but you felt the weight shift.

"Ah, armes kleines Ding..." König was generous enough to pick one of them. Your duffle bags and marched behind Ghost to exit the plane. It took you a bit of surprise, but it was nice of him. You walked between them and met with the rest of the group. It was a long walk towards the cabin under the heavy snow. You weren't used to this type of weather. The sun and rainy weather were always there to compensate for the cold or heat. The cabin was deep in the forest, but thankfully, you were prepared.

"Das wird ein langer Weg..." König mumbled under his breath. "English, Colonel." Ghost bluntly said as he kept walking with the rest of the group. "I don't think it should matter." You were so focused on the trail that you suddenly bumped behind Ghost' back. Yet he used his left arm to shield you.

"It does matter, Colonel." With this, he ended the conversation and pulled you before the others as he walked behind you. It was a weird interaction, but you tried to look back, and König was just stone-cold. There was no reaction, just him looking forward. Then, Ghost walks closer behind you and leans close to your ear.

"You're my only distraction right now... so stay in front of me, alright?" He said as his right hand slowly graced along your arm and towards the neck. You nodded softly and kept walking. Perhaps he was just pissed off...

An hour passes, and the team makes it to the cabin. The trip was entirely after the interaction of Ghost and König. Even though the issue between them was not your problem, you couldn't shake off the fact that their subjects might affect the mission.

The group enters the cabin and starts to get ready for the mission. When everyone settled in, the air felt tense and quiet. Many were probably contemplating their life and loved ones. For you, you hoped to pass this alive and understand that whatever happened... it was for the greater good. You looked around the guys again, and your eyes settled on Ghost. Was he praying? Perhaps... Then he opened his eyes and ended up at yours. You didn't look away; instead, you nodded and looked at the other men in the room. Finally, the silence was disturbed by Gaz.

"This is going to be a precautious mission. There's so many lives on the line that have suffered enough." He was looking down at his pad, reading files excessively. Alejandro stepped in, placed a hand on his residence, and looked at him. "We know..." he then looked at the rest of the group.

"We have to stick to the plan if things go tits up..." You wanted to say something, but it'll probably worsen the issue.

"Finish, soldier.", Ghost said under his mask.

The rest of the men started staring at you in confusion yet worrying. You held your tears; the fear of losing lives by your own two hands was enough to make your heartbreak. But you are intense; you've studied the plan and every possibility. Yet you're human and can make a mistake.

"We just have to stick with the plan, and so we should discuss it once more." The sentence was a little reassuring but could keep some hope. König stepped in and let out a sigh, "We aren't the only task force to be here. There are still enough men to go through the mission. Let us consider that as well." With this, the atmosphere cleared a bit...

Watch your back...

You heard a whisper coming down the hall, yet nobody else heard it. It made you curious, and you looked around, checking if it was the ghost that had been haunting you from the very beginning. "Excuse me..." you got up and headed down the hall. From that point on, you felt the air cold. You thought it was because of the heavy winter, but regardless, the cabin has enough heaters to keep warmth. Yet something was not right.

Somehow, you ended up in Ghost's room. It was freezing, which was weird because nothing was opened. Until all of a sudden, a swift breeze blew again ya your ear.

Care for him...

The whisper has appeared once more. Your heart started racing as it took you unexpectedly. "The fuck..." you mumbled under your breath. It could be a sick joke, maybe from Alejandro. He has been the only one who has come to you and talked about the "ghost."

Reality struck you once more, and you slowly stepped back. The utter disbelief of having to be Mike's away from what you thought to be a haunted barracks has now come to you in a foreign country. You stuck by your instincts and headed out of Ghost's room. You sighed in relief and started walking back to the common area. As you did that, his bedroom door opened all of a sudden.

As you turned around, a glimpse of a head popping out of his bedroom made you jump. The face looked tattered and hollow. The sling was pale with blue hues. Somehow, the part that frightened you was the breathing sound that crossed the borders. You turned around and speed-walked towards Alejandro. He looked confused and noticed how frightening you looked.

"Que paso, amiguita...?" He said in a low tone, trying not to grab much attention from himself. You slowly looked up at him and shook your head. I'm that moment you wanted to tell him all about the hauntings, but he'll think that you're crazy. So, it was better to mine your business and keep reviewing the mission plan.

The sun started to set, as did the rest of the team... or so you thought.