It was around 8 p.m. as we prepared for the upcoming mission: reclaiming the base and killing Graves.

Price spoke, "Tonight, we'll all become Ghosts." He placed six Ghost masks on the table. I whistled at the sight, but when I turned around, I was shocked to see Ghost removing his mask in front of us. Although I already knew what he looked like, now everyone else did too, and I didn't quite like that. My mouth hung open, and Ghost approached me, closing my mouth and whispering, "You can do that later." I showed him my middle finger.

Ghost addressed the group, "You all have my trust, and I hope I have yours. That's why I felt it was important to show my face on this occasion." Everyone nodded.

Price said, "It's good to see you again, Simon."

We all put on our masks. I wondered how Ghost could tolerate wearing it as it restricted the airflow. Afterward, we blackened our eyes and went outside with all our gear. We got into the car and drove to the location of the sewer entrance, which provided a direct connection to the base. When we arrived, we got out and descended one by one. I could have vomited from the awful smell.

Soap said, "Ewww."
Before heading to our positions, we doused ourselves in a liquid, and you can probably guess what it was. Rudolfo led the way, with each of us placing a hand on the shoulder of the person in front. After a 20-minute march, we finally arrived. Above us was the manhole cover, and Rudolfo climbed the ladder slowly to check the surroundings once again. After giving the all-clear, we climbed up one by one like little ninjas. We nodded at each other and formed our teams. Price whispered, "Bravo Six, going dark."

We also equipped our night vision goggles. Ghost and I headed towards Sector B. When Ghost noticed that she was in front of him and could potentially be the target, he grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her behind him.I whispered, "Hey, what's that for?"

He replied, "I won't let anything happen to you."

I retorted, "And I'm supposed to let something happen to you?"

He dryly said, "I don't care what happens to me."

I stated, "But it matters to me."

He looked at me before turning his attention to the slightly open door in front of us. He entered silently, making no noise. We could hear two shadow soldiers talking.

Shadow 1: "You see that big boy with the skull face?" (he pointed at a photo)

Shadow 2: "Yeah, why? What about him?"
Shadow 1: "So, you're telling me that when you see him, you won't start sweating?"

Shadow 2: "Oh, it won't come to that."

Shadow 1: "Yeah, you're right because you'll already be dead-"

At that moment, Ghost lunged at him, covering his mouth with one hand and slitting his throat with the other. I went for Shadow 2 before he could react, throwing a knife directly into his eye.

Ghost radioed, "Sector B secured."

Gaz responded, "Sector A secured."

Soap added, "Sector C almost secured. Graves hasn't been found yet."
I replied, "We're coming to you."

Soap acknowledged, "Roger."
◇◇◇
We headed towards Sector D where Soap and Rudolfo were. Ghost and I had our weapons ready, on high alert. We saw dead bodies of the shadow soldiers on the ground, and I thought to myself, "Yes, Graves, you were right. Nobody had to be hurt here if you hadn't switched sides." I passed by the lifeless bodies with indifference.

I noticed a shadow near the storage area. I cautiously entered, holding my weapon out, and said, "Graves, if you're in here, come out. It doesn't matter. We're going to kill you either way."

Suddenly, he came at me from behind with a knife. I quickly blocked it with my arm and delivered a kick to his stomach. He staggered back a few steps and yelled, "You killed my men!" I coldly replied, "Well, as a reminder of you betraying us and killing Alejandro."

The others arrived, surrounding him, lasers from their weapons pointed at Graves' body. He let out a brief, sadistic laugh and threw the knife to the ground. Price spoke, "Rudolfo, he's yours."

Rudolfo nodded and said, "If it's okay, I'd like to be alone with him."
We nodded in agreement and left the room. We all went outside; the once lively base now felt empty, like a zombie-infested place. Price distanced himself from us and disappeared into the woods. Soap approached us and asked, "Where's Price?"
Ghost replied, "Somewhere, submerging his cigarette in frustration."

I

leaned against the cold wall and let out a sigh of frustration.
Ghost asked, "Everything okay?"

I nodded, but internally, nothing was okay. I hated being betrayed. I hated losing my team. The realization of losing Alejandro had just hit me. I took out my cigarette and took a drag. Ghost, Gaz, and Soap leaned beside me, the cold breeze brushing against our faces. Breaking the silence, I said, "He's really gone."

Ghost's eyes changed, as if filled with sorrow.
Soap ran his hand through his hair out of stress and muttered, "Damn it, yeah."

Gaz took off his cap and stared at the flag on it, as if contemplating why he risked his life for anything at all.

I continued, "Guys, I don't want to lose you..." I felt Ghost squeeze my hand.

Soap, not sounding entirely convincing, said, "That won't happen..."

Ghost's POV:
His mind wandered completely. He thought about the person he loved and his comrades. He berated himself, feeling like an idiot and an asshole for not being able to say 'I love you' to Yn. He knew he would regret not saying it eventually. The words weighed heavily on his tongue, even though he loved her, even though they were together. He couldn't understand himself.
He turned to her and began, "Yn, I-"

Yn, in a sad tone, interrupted, "Hmm, what is it, Ghost?"

Ghost fell silent for a few seconds, then turned away, saying, "Nevermind, it's not important."

Yn insisted, "Say what you-"

She was interrupted by Rudolfo coming out. His fists were bruised, apparently having pummeled Graves' face to a pulp. Rudolfo fell to his knees, tears streaming from his eyes. It seemed like he had just fully realized the loss of Alejandro.