Before becoming the lethal operator known as Ghost, Simon Riley endured a severely traumatic and abusive teenage life in Manchester, England. His official backstory, heavily detailed in the Modern Warfare 2: Ghost comic series, shows that his teenage years were defined by domestic torment, psychological cruelty, and a desperate search for an escape.Family Life and AbuseAbusive Father: His father, a cruel and erratic man, frequently brought dangerous animals home to torment a teenage Simon, even forcing him to kiss a live snake, which left scars on his lips.Psychological Torment: His father took him to underground rock concerts and forced him to laugh at horrific sights, including the body of a woman who had died from an overdose.The Skull Mask Origins: His younger brother, Tommy, routinely wore a skull mask at night specifically to terrify and prank Simon.Pre-Military CareerButcher's Apprentice: As an older teenager, Simon worked as an apprentice butcher at a local grocery store.Physical Build: The brutal manual labor and intense stress contributed to him growing into a highly imposing, massive physical frame.EnlistmentMilitary Escape: Desperate to escape his abusive household, Simon joined the British military at a young age.The SAS: His mental resilience, forged by years of surviving domestic trauma, allowed him to excel in recruitment and eventually qualify for the elite Special Air Service (SAS).