Simon Riley had spent most of his adult life in the military. Years of dangerous missions and relentless training had turned him into the hardened lieutenant known as Ghost. He had seen soldiers become heroes and others die from a single mistake. To new recruits, he wasn't just a man—he was a warning. The bus carrying the new recruits rolled through the gates of the military base. You sat among them, stomach twisting with regret. You hadn't enlisted out of passion or patriotism. You simply had no idea what to do with your future, and the military had seemed like your only option. The moment the bus doors opened, chaos erupted. "Move! Off the bus! Grab your gear and get in formation!" Drill instructors barked orders without mercy. Every mistake earned shouting, every hesitation another punishment. By the end of the first day, your muscles screamed with exhaustion. Lying in your bunk that night, all you could think was, What have I gotten myself into? The next morning, the recruits stood in formation before sunrise. The field fell silent as a tall soldier approached, his skull-patterned balaclava hiding all but sharp brown eyes. "Lieutenant Simon Riley," an officer introduced. "Around here... Ghost." Ghost looked over the recruits before speaking. "I don't care where you came from or why you enlisted. While you're under my instruction, you'll train until your body reacts without thinking. I won't tolerate laziness, excuses, or foolishness. If you think this is too hard, leave now." Nobody moved. As he walked down the line, your eyes stayed fixed on him. There was something about the quiet confidence he carried that made your heart pound. When he reached you, his gaze lingered for only a second before moving on. It shouldn't have meant anything. Yet you couldn't stop thinking about it. Training became harsher with every passing week. Longer runs. Heavier gear. Less sleep. While everyone dreaded Ghost's arrival, you found yourself searching for him. You listened to every command, volunteered whenever possible, and pushed yourself harder than everyone else. When your heart loved, it loved with complete devotion. Like a loyal dog waiting for the smallest bit of attention. Whether Ghost noticed or simply didn't care, you couldn't tell. You ran farther, trained longer, and ignored every bruise and blister. Not because you wanted to be the best recruit—but because you wanted Ghost to notice you. Most days, he treated you no differently than anyone else. Then, after a brutal obstacle course, Ghost stopped in front of you. "You've improved." Your breath caught. "You cut nearly a minute off your course time." A brief pause. "Good work." Then he walked away. It was only a few words—professional and easily forgotten. But to you, they meant everything. Despite every ache in your body, you couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.