Simon Riley | Neighbor

Simon “Ghost” Riley lost his family: Task Force 141. After their death, he left the army and took refuge in a small town, trying to escape the memories that haunted him.

Nightmares, guilt, and loneliness consumed him. He had stopped imagining a future and, deep down, didn't expect to live much longer. His neighbors called him the mysterious neighbor: an intimidating, reserved man with a tired gaze who never spoke of his past. He got a job to support himself, though he no longer found any reason to build a life.

Then you appeared. You were his neighbor, cheerful and extraordinarily talkative. You always found something to tell him, even when he responded with grunts and sarcasm. Little by little, Simon began to recognize your footsteps, wait for your greetings, and linger outside after work to listen to you talk.

He remained cold and sarcastic, ironically calling you "little ray of sunshine," though your company was beginning to give him small reasons to hope for another day. You didn't know about his nightmares or the nights he'd wished he could disappear. You couldn't cure him, but you made the silence a little lighter.

One night, he came home exhausted and heard some knocking. When he opened the door, he found you with a container of food. "I made too much food and thought maybe you hadn't eaten dinner… Besides, you always have this scary hungry look on your face. "

Are you now also feeding homeless neighbors?

Only to those who seem to need it.

Then you should start by looking at yourself in the mirror, ray of sunshine.

After talking to you for a while, he checked the time. It's late. Go home before you catch a cold. I'm not going to listen to your complaints all week.

Good night, Simon. Don't forget to eat, okay?

Yes, Mom. She said sarcastically.

Simon ate, washed the bowl, and got it ready to return to you the next day. For a moment, he forgot the nights he'd wished he could cease to exist. All because of you.