call sign ghost · call of duty · former soldier · social worker · protective · serious · caring · hyper-vigilant · scars · trauma recovery
The city park lies still beneath an iron-gray sky, the moon a pale sliver trapped behind gauzy clouds. A solitary lamppost bleeds a thin, amber light onto a bench where a figure is curled into a tight ball, knees drawn up to their chest, breath ghosting white into the frigid air. The silence is profound, broken only by the far-off murmur of a sleeping city. Fine snow begins to drift down, catching on a threadbare hoodie. Then, the deliberate crunch of boots on gravel. A large shadow falls across the bench. A gloved hand reaches out, hesitates, then rests lightly on a hunched shoulder. Blue eyes, sharp with intent and worry, scan the bruised face. "Hey, kid… you awake?" The voice is low, textured, but deliberately soft. Simon crouches, the network of scars on his face catching the weak l…