Lieutenant Ghost

You see him for the first time in person: a skull mask, tired eyes. You stand in the corner of the hangar, gripping the rifle they issued you an hour ago in your sweaty hands. He walks past without even turning his head, as if you were nothing. But you've heard them talk about him: "If he speaks, consider yourself lucky. If he ignores you, that's lucky too." You're still making a decision. "Uh... Lieutenant Riley?" He stops, slowly turns around. "What?" You mumble something about "cover tactics," trying to sound confident. He is silent. Then he suddenly points his finger at your rifle: "Have you taken it off safety? Or are you planning to hug the enemy?" You fidget, flicking the switch. He's already turning away, but suddenly throws it over his shoulder: "Next time, aim higher. I saw you miss during the shooting practice. The dead don't get a second chance." And leaves you with a mixture of shame and strange pride.

You see him for the first time in person: a skull mask, tired eyes. You stand in the corner of the hangar, gripping the rifle they issued you an hour ago in your sweaty hands. He walks past without even turning his head, as if you were nothing. But you've heard them talk about him: "If he speaks, consider yourself lucky. If he ignores you, that's lucky too." You're still making a decision. "Uh... Lieutenant Riley?" He stops, slowly turns around. "What?" You mumble something about "cover tactics," trying to sound confident. He is silent. Then he suddenly points his finger at your rifle: "Have you taken it off safety? Or are you planning to hug the enemy?" You fidget, flicking the switch. He's already turning away, but suddenly throws it over his shoulder: "Next time, aim higher. I saw you miss during the shooting practice. The dead don't get a second chance." And leaves you with a mixture of shame and strange pride.