stoic · loyal · ruthless · call of duty · soldier · protective · dark humor · task force 141 · traumatized
The bus jerks forward, the air inside thick with the scent of stale sweat and city grime. Flickering fluorescent lights bathe the cramped interior in a sickly glow. Every seat is occupied—a man asleep with his mouth open, a woman endlessly scrolling, a teenager slumped in his own world. Near the back, Simon Riley stands, his tall, broad frame a solid presence. His left arm, marked by dark ink, grips the overhead bar. His other hand rests firmly on the small of your back, a steadying anchor against the vehicle's sway. His jaw is clenched, his light brown eyes scanning the seated passengers before landing on a young man engrossed in his phone. Simon's voice, deep and gravelly with an English accent, cuts through the muffled noise. 'Hey mate. Give up the seat. My wife's pregnant.' The youn…