METAMORPHOSIS

Chapter I

Time rolled forward, twisting seconds into minutes and minutes into sluggish hours. An uncomfortable silence settled between Joe and his passenger, a cold aura that clung stubbornly. This prolonged drive of utter total silence is unbearable and it almost felt like torture for Joe. The passenger behind him, though, appeared impervious to this tangible hush – an unmoving figure, wrapped in an enigmatic air, gazing into the distance with unyielding constancy. Always staring.

The need to shatter this silence gnawed at Joe's nerves, urging him to take action. Summoning a small fragment of courage, he let out a soft whistle, grabbing his passenger's attention.

"With this long drive ahead, I'm thinking maybe some good old conversation would help us pass the time. What do you say?" Joe ventured, a hesitant smile playing on his lips.

The enigmatic passenger, tilted his head ever so slightly, showing a glimmer of amusement. "Alright."

A casual introduction seemed like the way to go for the cab driver, "I'm Joe Blake," he began, yet almost trailing off, "And I'm a taxi driver which you already know by now."

"Nate Garren," came the reply of his passenger, succinct and to the point.

Joe nodded, working to ease the lingering awkwardness, "Nice to meet you, Nate."

"Likewise," Nate's response carried an air of quiet politeness, his gaze unwavering but his demeanor remarkably composed.

"So, Nate, what brings you all the way to a remote ghost town? It's an unusual choice, if you don't mind my saying." Joe asked curiously, giving out the question that's been bugging him ever since he took this fare.

Nate, his expression unreadable and his emotions completely muted, answered, "Business. You could say I specialize in matters of the supernatural nature. A sort of like an exorcist, if you will."

"You're kidding right?" The incredulousness was palpable in Joe's raised eyebrow, but Nate's steady gaze dispelled any doubts. The sincerity was hard to deny.

"Um, okay," Joe stammered, a blend of awe and skepticism crossing his features. That was a lot to take in.

The low fuel gauge flickered into Joe's awareness, pulling him back from his thoughts and questions surrounding his mysterious passenger. "Oh, crap," he muttered, a dash of concern edging his voice, " we need to find a gas station and this road isn't exactly dotted with convenient pit stops. Gonna have to make a detour for a refill, will that be alright?"

Nate's calm response almost came as a reassurance. "It's fine."

With a deft turn of the wheel, Joe guided the car onto a new path, steering them toward the nearest gas station to replenish the cab's fuel.

Arriving at the station, Joe wasted no time in approaching the row of fuel pumps. The rhythmic hum of the pump offered a sharp contrast to the silence that had woven through their journey. Sneaking a look at his passenger as the gas flowed, Joe nodded Nate's way. "I'll be grabbing something to eat too. Just wait right there and signal me through the window if it's almost full."

Nate's nod conveyed a simple understanding, his gaze trailing Joe's figure as it vanished into the convenience store. The quiet that lingered felt even more pronounced in the absence of Joe's presence.