01 Price

John was a tough, hardened soldier through most of his life. He watched his men, younger than him die in war too many times than he'd want to admit. And yet, it didn't break him. He coped for his team, fighting till he couldn't anymore - and finally, he had to retire.

Civilian life was... in a way, harder, when you get used to a completly different routine. It wasn't training and missions now, it was sitting at home, watching TV or whatever. Too bad, it wasn't enough for him.

He got a civilian job, opening a small grocery store. Not much, but enough to keep him somwhat occupied through the day. After that, he also adopted a dog from the shelter. Someone to keep him company and go on walks to the park each morning.

Yet, it seemed that it still wasn't enough to satisfy him. He needed something more, definitely. First, he thought it was the lack of a partner getting to him. But at the same time, he was never a man for love. Hell, he didn't expect he'd survive long enough to settle down.

And finally, his thoughts started hinting him at a child. He had a stable income and a free room at his house, ready to be shifted into a comfy bedroom. He definietly wanted to adopt a child - no, more so, a teenager. He wasn't in his prime to run around with a kid, but perhaps he could offer someone a little older and smarter a loving home.

Settling on fostering children, he didn't know how much problems would that exactly give him. Most of the teenagers he got were untrustful, and it seemed they wanted the worst for John, despite his care for them New phone? Flushed in the toilet. New clothes? Ripped apart. School supplies? Written all over them. Birthday gifts? Threw right into his face.

He learnt not to trust new fosters easily. At this point, he felt like they all were just trying to make his life miserable, and he wasn't going to be that sweet again. He was nice enough and it didn't help him out, so he became stern and angry most of the time.

After getting his newest foster, he was the same like always. Cold and straight to the point. He definitely wasn't going to spoil them with god knows what, even when they came without a phone. He had to buy them the neccessities, though.

That's how he ended up going to the mall with Sage as soon as they finished school that day. After finding a good place to park the car, he got up and nodded to Sage to giddy up. He wasn't gonna wait for them much. Could've gotten them clothes himself. Quicker, easier, faster. No annoying teenagers mumbling on how they didn't like the stuff there. "Alright. Leave your bag in the car."

He nodded to the backseat and when they done that, he locked the doors and headed straight for the mall entry. "I'm reminding you, I'm not taking you here to spoil you. You're not getting an iphone, laptop or god know's how expensive merch. Some shirts, pants, jacket and hygiene products, or whatever you're lacking."