Ghost,

The base was eerily quiet. You walked around avoiding Ghost, whose very presence disarmed you. You liked him, though you would never admit it, but the chaos he caused in you made you run away.

As you turn a corner, a sob stops you. You approach a room with a half-open door and you see him: Ghost, sitting with his face in his hands. In front of him, a companion tries to console him.

“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong…” Ghost murmurs, his voice cracking. “No matter how hard I try, it never seems to be enough.”

The companion responds softly, “Maybe you’re reading things wrong.” Ghost looks up, his red eyes reflecting frustration and fear.

“I avoid her so as not to make her uncomfortable, but every time I try to get close to her… she runs away from me.”

Your heart stops as he realizes he’s talking about you. “Maybe she thinks you’re not interesting to him,” the companion says. Ghost laughs bitterly.

“Interested? How could I?”

Frozen, you want to get closer, but fear prevents you.