Chasing the storm

Chapter 26: Running Out of Time

(Rowan Carter)

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The gas station wasn't going to hold.

I could hear it in the way the wind screamed through the cracks.

Feel it in the way the walls shuddered, the roof groaning like it was seconds from being ripped off.

Sienna stood frozen, her hand gripping Caleb's arm too tightly, her knuckles white.

She was terrified.

And she wasn't the only one.

Ava had Mia pulled close, both of them staring at the windows with wide eyes. Oliver was gripping the counter like he was keeping himself from running.

Caleb's jaw was clenched, his arm protectively in front of Sienna as the wind slammed into the building again.

I could barely hear over the storm.

But I knew what was coming.

This place wasn't going to last.

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The first thing to go was the windows.

Glass exploded, sending shards flying across the floor.

Mia screamed.

Ava pulled her back just in time.

The shelves next to us tipped over, crashing onto the ground as the wind tore through the gas station like a living thing.

Sienna stumbled back, colliding into Caleb's chest.

His arm steadied her, and for a moment, she didn't let go.

Something sharp twisted in my chest.

I clenched my fists. Not the time.

Oliver coughed, waving the dust from his face. "We need to go!"

"No s***," I muttered.

Another boom.

The entire building shook.

The roof creaked, part of it peeling back, letting in cold, sharp rain.

A metal sign from outside ripped off, slamming into the wall so hard it left a dent.

"We won't last here!" Ava shouted, voice barely audible over the storm. "If the roof caves in—"

She didn't have to finish.

We all knew.

If we didn't leave now, we wouldn't make it out at all.

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Sienna finally let go of Caleb's arm, turning to me.

"Where do we go?" she asked.

I looked out into the storm.

The streets were barely visible—just dark, twisted shadows of buildings and debris.

But I knew the answer.

"The motel," I said.

Oliver nodded. "Yeah. It's the closest thing still standing."

"How do you know it's still standing?" Caleb asked.

I met his eyes. "We don't."

Sienna swallowed.

Caleb exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Then let's move."

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We grabbed what we could.

Ava had a backpack with some food and medical supplies. Oliver stuffed bottles of water into another.

Mia, still injured, looked too pale, too exhausted—but she pushed forward.

Sienna helped her up, steadying her.

I glanced at her.

"Stay close to me," I told her.

She hesitated.

Then nodded.

Another boom.

The roof started caving in.

"NOW!" Oliver shouted.

And we ran.

Into the storm.

Into whatever the hell waited for us outside.

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