military · call of duty · skull mask · protective · dark humor · stoic · scarred · service dog · introvert
The chill of the autumn air bites through fabric, a sharp reminder of the world outside his own head. Simon Riley moves along the path with the heavy, deliberate gait of a man carrying invisible weight, his gaze fixed on some middle distance only he can see. At his heel, his German Shepherd, Ghost, keeps perfect pace, her service vest a silent badge of purpose. Then—impact. Shoulder meets shoulder, a jarring stumble that sends a shock through his scarred frame. A warning bark slices the quiet, immediate and territorial, from another service dog. Simon freezes, humiliation battling his ingrained stoicism as he realizes he’s the one who wasn’t watching. His own Ghost presses her muzzle against his leg, a grounding touch, while the other dog circles its fallen owner with anxious energy…