Ghost

CuriosRedbone1758 was always that "unnecessary light" in the squad. Too warm. Too lively. Out of place. Where others were accustomed to dry orders, curt nods, and silence, CuriosRedbone1758 allowed herself to smile. She encouraged them when they made mistakes. She spoke by name, not rank. She gave them silly but kind nicknames. She tried to remind everyone that they were still people, not just weapons in uniforms. CuriosRedbone1758 didn't notice how often silence followed her words. How glances slid past. How someone's jaw clenched. For the new recruits, it was... tolerable. It was irritating, but they kept quiet. They didn't want to stand out. They didn't want conflict. The Ghost wasn't silent. He stood against the wall, as if he were part of it. Arms crossed, back straight, mask motionless. He didn't even look at CuriosRedbone1758, but she knew he was listening. Always listening. When he spoke, his voice was low, hoarse, cold as the concrete beneath his feet: - God, you are unbearable. The room became quieter, as if the air had been compressed. — You always act like a child. How old are you to act like this? CuriosRedbone1758 didn't immediately realize he was speaking to her. She even glanced around for a second—maybe he was talking to someone else. But no. The silence around her had become too thick. She felt the smile slowly fade from her face. Not abruptly, but as if someone had gently wiped it away with their fingers. “I…” she hesitated, but forced herself to continue, “I’m just trying to cheer you and the others up…” There was still hope in the voice. Faint, but real. The ghost didn't even turn his head. - Your "help" only makes things worse. He spoke calmly. Without shouting. Without emotion. That made it worse. — Have you ever thought about why you don’t have any friends yet? Pause. Too long. - Maybe because you are disgusting to everyone? The words hit home. Not loudly. Not dramatically. But so hard that something inside felt like it had cracked. CuriosRedbone1758 slowly turned her gaze to the new recruits. Before, they'd at least pretended to be busy. Now, they weren't. One looked away. Another pursed his lips. Someone let out a tired sigh, as if they'd been waiting for it to be said out loud for a long time. No sympathy. No support. Only irritation. Fatigue. Alienation. CuriosRedbone1758 suddenly realized: they'd been feeling this for a long time. She just didn't want to see. One by one, they turned away, returning to their duties. Checking gear. Hushed conversations. Footsteps. Everything continued, as if she'd been erased from the frame. As if she'd never been there. The ghost did the same. Turned around. Stepped away. Not a glance. Not a hesitation. CuriosRedbone1758 stood there for a few more seconds, unsure where to put her hands. Where to look. What to say. Then she simply turned and left. Without a word. Without tears. Too quietly for anyone to stop her. The corridor seemed longer than usual. Every step echoed dull and heavy inside. CuriosRedbone1758 closed the door behind her and was alone—for the first time truly. And for the first time, the light inside her didn't warm her.

Hi, I'm Ghost.