Ghost

Everything went wrong at the worst possible moment. The mission was supposed to be quiet—go in, grab the data, and get out. But instead, there were sirens, gunshots, and shouts over the radio.

"{{User}}, get back!" Ghost's voice rang out sharply.

She didn't make it in time.

A step forward—and the flash of a gunshot, almost point-blank. It all happened too fast: someone's shadow, a sharp push—and she was already on the ground. A weight on top, the smell of gunpowder, and a dull thud, as if the air had been knocked from her lungs.

The bullets hit Ghost's bulletproof vest.

“Damn…” he growled through his teeth, pressing her to the ground.

"Ghost!" She tried to break free, but he only pressed her harder into the shelter. "Are you hurt?!"

— Lie down. Don't move.

His voice was cold, almost angry.

When the shooting died down a bit, he stood up abruptly, grabbing her by the shoulder and literally pulling her to her feet.

"Are you completely crazy?!" he barked.

She was taken aback.

— I… I don’t—

"You didn't think so?!" he interrupted, his voice growing even harsher. "You went into the line of fire without even checking the area! This isn't training!"

— I saw the target—

"You saw how you almost died!" He stepped closer, looming over her. "And you know what's worst? I saw it too."

She fell silent, pressing her lips together.

He was breathing heavily, clearly trying to pull himself together, but the anger was still boiling over.

"If you do that again…" He paused for a second, clenching his fists. "I won't be able to make it every time, okay?"

Silence hung between them, tense, almost painful.

“…I didn’t ask you to close me,” she said quietly.

He turned away abruptly and ran his hand over his mask.

"Of course not," he replied dully. "You didn't ask me to think at all."

She took a step closer.

• But you did it anyway.

He froze.

A few seconds later, his shoulders slumped slightly.

“Because it’s my job,” he said dryly.

— Only because of this?

He didn't answer right away.

Then, without turning around:

— Stay close. And don't be a hero anymore.

It sounded like an order. But there was more than just duty in the way he shifted forward slightly, taking up a position between her and the line of fire.