INFERNAL WORLD » kyle GAZ garrick

50 - smalltown girl

As the autumn sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the picturesque landscapes of Georgia, Elena found herself behind the wheel of her old beat-up car, with Sam seated beside her, their voices mingling with the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees and the song that quietly hummed on the radio. As another song changed, Sam's fingers softly turned the volume button to the side.

''Smalltown Boy. Oh, this one's so good,'' Sam chuckled and Elena breathed in, giving him a soft smile, as she watched him relax his head against the headrest.

The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of new beginnings. The feeling of freedom as they cruised down the winding country roads, the windows rolled down.

Sam's laughter filled the car, his easy smile lighting up his face as he regaled Elena with a joke to ease their minds. As they drove past familiar landmarks and rolling fields bathed in the warm hues of autumn, Elena couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She knew what she missed and who, more specifically it was.

In that fleeting moment, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky blazed with hues of orange and pink, Elena felt a deep sense of gratitude for what she had, even if she longed for more.

Her fingers were firm on the steering wheel as they navigated the road. She cleared her voice but didn't speak.

''Yeah? We got it. On our way now,'' Sam spoke and Elena turned her eyes away from the glowing screen of his phone.

The conversation was brief but to the point, Sam's voice low and authoritative as he reassured their client that the job was done and the artefact secured. As he ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket, he turned his attention to Elena, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"You did great back there," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I knew I could count on you to handle things."

Elena returned his smile, the tension of the mission slowly dissipating as they drove further away from the scene. Even if she didn't say it, she wanted to be away from it. Especially from something like that.

"Thanks, Sam," Elena replied, her tone soft but sincere.

Elena felt Sam's gaze on her linger.

''Oh, tell me, tell me, darling, what bothers you...'' he playfully said, dragging his palm against his own cheek.

''It's nothing,'' she replied, her tone betraying the turmoil within her. But Sam could see through her facade, his keen intuition cutting through her defences like a knife through butter.

''There's something on your mind. I'm no idiot,'' Sam answered.

With a sigh, Elena relented, her words tumbling out slowly even if she had wanted to put out the words that had been gnawing at her mind. Clicking her tongue, she spoke without looking at him.

''I still don't think we needed to threaten him so much... we had everything under control, you know,''

Sam nodded, understanding dawning in his own gaze as he listened to her words.

"You never hesitate to pull a gun when we need it," he acknowledged, a hint of admiration colouring his voice. "I know it was different this time.''

"I just... I couldn't shake the image of his family, the fear in their eyes," Elena confessed.

Her eyes and mind still focusing on the road ahead, she continued.

''That kid didn't need to witness something like that. We scarred him for life. No taking that back now... I'm not even worried if he might grow up and look for us... I-I don't care about that, but the fact that he might do that... no kid should have to see something like that,''