NOTE: I currently have a lot of work going on at school so I am sorry if the chapters won't be coming out regularly. However I don't want to give you guys weak and not thought through chapters. I will try my best to be consistent but please note I might not always be able to do so.
Love you all, have a good day!
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I was minding my own business as someone placed a tray right next to mine, I looked up to see who it was. That's when I was met with the smiling Scottish man, he sat down right next to me, not even bothering to ask for my approval. I had a feeling I wasn't going to get rid of him that easily.
"So how do you like it here?"
"It's fine."
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Just fine? You know people would kill to get a chance to be approved into a team, right? Especially into a task force."
He started eating the food that he still had left.
"People would kill for much more petty things, Soap."
I stuck my fork into the meet and brought it into my mouth, I brushed off his next comment focusing on my food.
"So you don't think this was the worst thing that has happened to you after all!"
I looked at him confused, I might have been upset at their betrayal but this was still my job. I guess saying something along the lines isn't going to make our cooperation any better.
"I went through hell, I don't think your measly team is even close to being the worst thing that happened to me."
"Care to tell some stories?"
We both turned around at the sudden husky voice.
"Lt!"
"Simon."
I acknowledged his presence, keeping myself still as to not scurry away. Was I scared? Or were my feelings too much? He took a step closer almost leaning over me.
"It's Ghost for you."
My heart hurt once again. But why was I feeling guilty? Why was his new found coldness making me shiver?
"Wow you two really are alike, huh?"
Soap made it sound like we were bantering about a tv remote, perhaps it looked like it from his perspective. I wonder how much he actually knows, does Ghost talk to him? Are they both like me and Sarah? I turned back to my food and continued eating even if my stomach twisted from taste alone.
"We are nothing alike. I would say we are the complete opposites."
I heard the man beside me chuckle.
"You know what they say... Opposites attract."
I almost choked on my food, while Ghost audibly rolled his eyes behind us. What did Simon even want from me anyway? Rub the salt into my wound? Play the victim? Whatever it was, I wasn't interested. I was going to ignore him as much as I could, I don't care what my stupid heart is feeling, I am not giving in.
"So, Viper, huh? Who came up with that?"
I could feel Ghost's eyes burning into my back, I took another bite of my food to drag out the time, making them wait awkwardly.
"Me."
I kept on eating trying to ignore their presence, but with their stares and constant bickering from the sergeant it turned out to be impossible. After a bunch of questions from Soap and groans from the oh so scary Ghost I finally had enough. I turned around facing both of them.
"What do you want from me? Haven't you had enough?"
I asked a bit more aggressively then I meant too. Their eyes went wide, surprised at my sudden change in mood. Ghost's posture got stiffer, as if he was prepared for me to jump at him at any moment. Did he think I would hurt him? Attack him? It made my heart squeeze in discomfort. Soap only opened his mouth just to close it again a moment later.
"We didn't wanted you to be hurt, if we had any idea none of us would have let you go-"
"But you did hurt me! And then you lied to my face! König at least had the balls to come and help me!"
I knew I was wrong, I remember what they did when Michael tried to hurt me, I remember Soap telling me how Ghost practically begged Price to get me. I knew I was too stubborn for my own good, but I didn't know how to stop. Neither did I know where to start. Because what do I do? Apologize? I was the one who got hurt.
He stepped closer looking down at me from under his mask, his brown eyes almost looked red in the light.
"They were paid. He wouldn't have came otherwise!"
It hurts. His voice turned deeper, digging into my skin like needles. God. How much I hate needles.
"He was the one who accepted that damned mission!"
I can feel my heart turning again. Like it wasn't mine. As if it wanted to get out of my body, not wanting to yell at him any longer.
"Oh right! Your knight in shining armor!"
"He never hurt me like you did! In fact he never hurt me, period!"
Then why am I hurting him? Why would I hurt him knowing he did the same? Knowing he was sorry, that he already paid the price.
"At least we know where Viper came from, you can only spit out venom..."
That hurt, his words and the look in his eyes were painful enough to make me want to cry. I hate it. I hate this so much. For some reason, I just wanted to hug him now. I know I like König, so why do I feel this way towards Ghost?
Why can't I understand?
"Just leave me alone, can you at least do that?"
This time I spoke a lot calmer, softer, almost as if I didn't want to be heard and soon they left me without another word.
---
I kept ignoring them. I had to. If I talk to any of them one more time I think I will have a break down.
I couldn't remember if I ever felt this way, I am so confused. I am not sure what exactly I am feeling, I just know it isn't something I want to keep inside of me. I needed some sort of distraction.
I walked through the empty grounds, the last group just finished their training. It was getting late and here I was, making my way to the gym, all of those emotions waiting to be unleashed.
Hitting a leather bag seemed like an ideal medicine.
The whole place is empty. Perfect.
I placed my water bottle a bit further away on a bench, made sure my half gloves were on properly and I started boxing.
For everything that happened to me in the last weeks.
Clink...
For Persha betraying my trust.
Clank...
For the fact I needed to leave Sarah behind.
...
All of my emotions, the anger, sadness, grief, the traumas. I put everything I had into my punches and kicks.
I got so lost in all of it that I didn't realize when my knuckles started bleeding. Scratches formed underneath my gloves, decorating my skin with the beautiful red drops and lines.
The clacking of metal filled the room together with the sound of my fists connecting with the roughed up leather of the bag.
The stinging of my hands didn't stop me, but the sudden voice did.
"You will break it."
I looked towards the source of the voice.
"Although it looks like it broke you more."
Gaz.
I took a deep breath, letting my emotions settle down before speaking.
"Maybe..."
I wasn't sure what else to say, me and Gaz didn't get as close before as I did with the others.
"You should leave some of that strength for tomorrow. Price always makes sure to check if we are in our peak condition before sending us out."
He sat down on one of the benches.
"Some kind of test or is he going to make me spar one of you?"
I laughed as I imagined how I could place their faces into the ground.
"Combat can only show so much, it will be an obstacle course."
I raised my eyebrow as he watched me, wondering what he was pulling here.
"I came here out of my own accord. You need some more faith in us, but I will save you the whole talk. Price will surely find the time to educate you."
Now he was the one laughing.
"I guess I need to prepare my ears."
"Prepare your ass too, you will be sitting there for a while."
His wording caught me by surprise, I never expected Gaz out of all people to talk this way.
"Thanks."
This time he looked at me surprised.
"No problem. We are a team now... Viper...?"
"Got that one right."
I felt the relief wash over me, and a thought entered my mind... It has been a long time since everything happened.
Maybe I shouldn't hold such a grudge against them after all?
Word count: 1450