Gus's Possession

Chapter 7: Un Cambiamento delle Maree

They finished the gallery. Observing the last few artifacts and paintings. Franny feeling satisfied as she finished every piece. A small proud smile on her lips that she finally got to see the full gallery.

"I'm so happy" she softly admitted, walking side by side towards the exit.

He glanced down at her, watching the small girl tucked into his side. Noticing how softly she walked across the floor.

"Did you enjoy it?" she asked, glancing up at him with sparkling eyes.

He nodded.

"Have a good night!" Maria called out from behind her desk.

"Thank you! You too!" Franny waved goodbye with a friendly smile.

The old lady climbed out down from her stool with her keys in hand. Franny hoped they hadn't kept her up too late.

Gustavo pulled the door open for her. The cool night air breezed into the building causing Franny to shiver. She folded her arms over her chest as they walked outside.

She stepped out, walking towards the only car around. Gustavo's proud SUV sitting in the middle of the pasture. The only light coming from the full moon.

She frowned, noticing she didn't hear his heavy footsteps behind her. Turning around, she noticed him standing in place a few feet from the door.

His hands were tucked into his pockets. His midnight black hair swaying in the soft wind. He was simply staring at her with an unreadable expression but his lips formed a firm line. His eyes completely dead, void of any sign of emotion.

"Gustavo?" her delicate voice asked.

She took a few steps towards him, a sinking feeling crawling into her stomach. He ignored her, instead looking from side to side. She followed his gaze, noticing their vast surroundings. It was just the two of them in the field. No sign of life for miles.

"Are you okay?" she asked, walking towards him.

His gaze focused back down on her. She stopped walking, remaining several feet from him. Her long dark hair encompassed her like a curtain; covering her pale white arms.

He let out a long sigh, nodding his head yes. He took out his pack of cigarettes, quickly removing a stick and lighting it.

"Let's go" he quickly said, dangling the burning cigarette in between his lips as he walked past her.

She furrowed her brows, slowly following behind him. He held open the passenger door for her as she climbed inside. Walking around to the driver's side as he let out a deep breath of smoke. Her eyes closely following his every move. She was confused to the shift of tone, the tension she now felt was so different than how they ended inside.

She fiddled with her fingertips, staring down at her lap as he sat in his seat and shut the door. The engine quickly roared alive, he cracked the window down as smoke escaped from the vehicle. The familiar smell of the smoke almost felt like home to her. Reminding her of when she was a small child riding around in the car with her mother.

"You can drop me off at the cafe" she quietly said.

"I'll drop you off at your house" he bluntly stated, his voice low and gruff as he smoked.

"Are you sure? It's kinda out in the middle of nowhere-"

"I'm sure" he said, cutting her off.

They sat in silence. She would occasionally speak up to tell him where to go but most of the ride was spent in an uncomfortable quiet. She shifted in her seat, pulling her skirt down as it rose up from the random bumps in the road.