Sooooo...I was so excited that I wrote another chapter in Linear Algebra again:) This chapter is a little sobbish, but it makes me more interested what Keegan is so bothered about. I hope you guys like it!
Also, I forgot the disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN CALL OF DUTY GHOSTS OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS!
DO NOT COPY AND PASTE AS YOUR OWN! SERIOUSLY!
As Keegan and Hesh approached the staircase again, the smell of food permeated the air.
"Do I smell…food?" Hesh sniffed the air, breathing in the smell of roasted meat and burning of wood. It brings back memories of when Dad used to take us hunting. After a good hunt, we would cook some of the fresh meat and roast it over the open fire. Oh…how much I missed them.
Keegan looked at Hesh, and instantly knew what the younger was thinking. He shut his eyes, trying not to think what has been on his mind. I know it's you. I need to see you and them. Together. I promise this won't happen again.
I know it is your cooking. I could smell it a mile away.
Keegan nudged Hesh so they could get going instead of standing around smelling the food they wish they could have. As they cautiously climbed the staircase and walked down the long corridor, the smell of food became instantly stronger.
It's her. I know it's her. Keegan said to himself repeatedly. Hesh looked at Keegan, and moved in front so that he could protect Keegan, knowing that the latter has been out of it lately.
As they approached the last room, a black figure ran in front. Hesh and Keegan stopped and made sure they weren't seen. As they hid in the doorway of an adjacent room, they saw more figures leaving through a window at the end of the corridor. As they peaked around the frame, the last figure saw the two and tried to run. But Hesh was too fast. He tackled the figure to the ground and handcuffed his hands. They sat him in front of the doorframe and looked around.
"Boar. That's what made the smell." Hesh took a piece and ate it. "You want some?" He split another piece for Keegan.
Keegan nibbled on his piece. As he looked around, he saw spice jars that looked familiar. Hmmm…
The figure that sat on the floor moved towards the window, however, he was unsuccessful. Keegan had already stepped in front of the window.
"It's a 50 foot drop, Hesh. I don't know how anyone could survive."
Hesh raised the figure to full height and shoved him against the wall by his collar. "Are you Federation? Hablas español?" Keegan eagerly asked the black suited figure.
The figure shook his head and dropped it, looking at the floor. Keegan noticed the figure was wearing a metal plate that covered his mouth. There was red trim and the design on the front was of an oriental mouth of a dragon. I saw this somewhere… Keegan's eyes slowly ran up to the figure's eyes, which were uncovered: they were blue, icy blue. His eyes seem so familiar.
After a long hike, the three finally reached the Ghost camp. Merrick stood up and looked at Keegan who restrained the figure that was walking between him and Hesh.
"Who's this?" Neptune stepped next to Merrick to greet them. He took the figure by the shoulder and examined his exposed face.
"We don't know. He doesn't speak much." Hesh put his gear in the trunk of the hidden Humvee and sat down next to Kick and Aaron. Kick patted his back and gave him some of the canned beans they were having that night.
"Hmm…sure you're not Federation?" Neptune lowered his eyes to the height of the figure. Neptune was 6'5''. He could handle the kid, whoever this is.
Mason walked up the two from the second Humvee, it seems it was having mechanical issues with the turret on the back. "How come you can't talk? Scared?"
"Wait…you can't be…" Mason took a step back, "Aaron," Mason waved to his friend, "come here…" He started to shake, "This looks like…"
"No, no, no…Mason…he's gone. You can't be seeing these things again. Special Forces said he was MIA. Delta Force Shinobi declared him KIA a month ago. He was killed when Feds ambushed them during a training run." Aaron took Mason by the shoulder.
"That's what you think." The figure straightened from his slumped pose. Keegan froze. No, it can't be…
Aaron ran, elated to find an old friend in front of him. "It is you! Oh, buddy, amigo, hermano!"
Mason took the two and hugged them closely. "I will never let you two go again!"
"Hey everyone, I want you to meet Lieutenant Connor Russ. He was our bunk mate back in the Marines."
"WHAT!?" Kick grabbed his skull cap, bewildered by the sudden introduction. "you…" He pointed at Keegan, "Have a family?!"
By his last statement, everyone looked at Keegan, who was sitting alone with his head between his hands. No, no, no…I…I…I can't do this right now. Tears welled up in his eyes. I can't. I can't.
"Dad?" Connor exposed his mouth. He looks like Keegan, Hesh thought. "Dad!" Connor ran over to his father and hugged him tightly. Keegan returned the hug, and then some.
"Dad, I thought I was never going to see you again!" Connor said through hiccup sobs.
"Me too, Connor, me too." It was the first time anyone seen Keegan cry.
"Mom, Elsa, Aiden, Cassie, everyone, Dad. I don't know what to do, Dad… I couldn't find you."
"I know…" Keegan couldn't contain his despair anymore. He held Connor there for over a minute, maybe more.
The team was astonished by the father and son. "Wait, there are more?" Kick croaked out.
Pulling away, "yeah there's more." Keegan said wiping a tear from his face. "There's Connor here, Elsa and Aiden, Cassandra, Samantha, Erin, and the baby twins, Damien and Agatha." Keegan pulled out a family photo, the same one that Hesh noticed before.
"Dad, you kept that?"
"Yeah. It's the only photo I have of the family."
"Dad…" Connor sat by his father. He's more than what I imagined him to be.
Okay, I am more excited how we get to meet the others! Just an FYI, the mom we meet before a certain showdown begins so...keep reading and I'll keep updating!
