Chasing the storm

Chapter 24: The Fear We Can't Ignore

(Sienna's POV)

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The gas station had never felt this suffocating before.

Not even when we were exhausted.

Not even when we had nothing left to say.

This time?

It was different.

Because we weren't just tired.

We were afraid.

---

Hours had passed since we'd barely managed to get Oliver's team back inside.

Since Caleb had collapsed onto one of the makeshift beds, his leg wrapped in a rough bandage.

Since Mia had fallen asleep against Ava, her injured arm still trembling from exhaustion.

But even after all that?

The wind hadn't let up.

The rain still slammed against the windows, harder and harder, like something angry was clawing to get in.

And the worst part?

The sky wasn't clearing.

Not even a little.

Storms moved. They passed. They changed.

But this?

It was lingering.

---

I sat on the floor near the shelves, arms wrapped around my knees.

The rest of the group was scattered around—too tense to sleep, too wired to talk.

Oliver was near Caleb, checking his leg.

Ava sat beside them, chewing her lip like she was fighting off a thousand thoughts.

Mia was half-asleep, but her breathing wasn't steady.

And Rowan?

He stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the storm like he was daring it to come inside.

I hated that it made me feel safer.

I hated that even now, even after everything, I trusted him the most.

Then—

Caleb exhaled sharply.

"Okay," he muttered. "I can't be the only one thinking it."

Everyone turned to look at him.

His jaw clenched. His eyes flickered toward the window.

"This storm," he said quietly. "It's not normal."

Silence.

I swallowed. "We don't know that."

Rowan let out a dry laugh. "Don't we?"

My stomach twisted.

I hated this conversation.

But he wasn't wrong.

And I wasn't the only one who knew it.

Ava spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Storms don't stay like this. Not for this long. Not this strong."

Oliver exhaled. "Something isn't right."

I pressed my back against the shelf, my pulse too fast, too loud.

"Then what do you think it is?" I asked. "What, some kind of—unnatural storm?"

Rowan didn't answer right away.

When he did, his voice was calm. Too calm.

"I think," he murmured, "that we need to stop pretending this is something we can just wait out."

A chill ran down my spine.

Because deep down?

I had already known that.

I had just been too afraid to say it.

---

Rowan turned to the group, his expression unreadable.

"We need a real plan," he said. "If this storm isn't going anywhere, then sitting here isn't an option."

Oliver frowned. "And what do you suggest?"

Rowan's gaze flickered toward me, then back to Oliver.

"We find out what's really going on," he said. "And we find a way to stop it."

Ava's brows furrowed. "That's insane."

He smirked. "Is it?"

Mia groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Great. So now we're storm hunters?"

"No," Rowan said simply. "We're survivors."

I exhaled sharply. "That's not exactly comforting."

His smirk faded. "It wasn't supposed to be."

---

Caleb let out a sharp breath. "And what, you're leading this now?"

Rowan's expression didn't change. "Someone has to."

Caleb scoffed. "Right. Because you always know best."

Rowan's jaw ticked. "You have a problem with that?"

"Yeah," Caleb shot back. "I do."

Tension crackled.

I moved between them before it could escalate. "Stop. Both of you."

They didn't listen.

Of course, they didn't.

Caleb shook his head, glaring at Rowan. "You act like you're the only one who knows what to do, but guess what? You don't. We're all in this together."

Rowan exhaled slowly, as if forcing himself to stay calm. "Then stop wasting time arguing."

Caleb clenched his fists. "You're unbelievable."

"And you're predictable," Rowan shot back.

Caleb stiffened, but I grabbed his arm before he could lunge.

"Enough!" I snapped.

Silence.

Then Rowan's lips curled into a smirk.

"Didn't know you cared so much, Sunshine."

I froze.

That name.

It wasn't the first time he'd said it.

But the way he said it now?

Like it was only meant for me?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away.

"I just don't want anyone else getting hurt," I muttered.

He didn't say anything.

But I could feel him watching me.

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