Chasing the storm

Chapter 27: Nowhere Left to Run

(Sienna's POV )

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I ran.

We all ran.

The storm was alive—ripping, howling, tearing through the world like it wanted to swallow us whole.

The rain slashed at my skin, blinding me. The wind screamed in my ears, drowning out everything but the sound of our feet pounding against the pavement.

Rowan was ahead of me, pushing forward like nothing could stop him.

Caleb was beside me, his grip on my wrist tight, making sure I didn't fall behind.

Mia and Ava were just ahead, Oliver keeping close to them.

We had seconds.

The gas station wouldn't last.

We had to make it to the motel.

Or we were dead.

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"Move faster!" Rowan snapped, barely glancing back.

Caleb scoffed. "Oh, great advice. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Less talking, more running," Oliver muttered.

Caleb ignored him. "You think you're in charge now, Blackwood?"

"Maybe if you shut up and kept up, we wouldn't be arguing."

"Maybe if you weren't a complete—"

"Would you two shut up?!" I cut in. "In case you haven't noticed, we're literally about to die!"

Rowan smirked. "Told you she'd yell at you first."

Caleb scowled. "You're both annoying as hell."

"Good. Now run."

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I could barely see through the rain, but when we turned the corner, I spotted it.

The old motel.

Half of it was in ruins—the sign hanging by a single chain, flickering dimly. The parking lot was a mess of broken pavement and scattered debris.

But it was standing.

And right now? That was all that mattered.

"There!" I shouted.

Ava gripped Mia tighter, helping her move.

Oliver cursed. "Almost there—"

And then—

Pain.

White-hot pain shot through my leg.

My foot caught on something—a broken piece of metal from the storm, sharp as hell.

I gasped, stumbling forward.

Rowan caught me instantly.

His arms wrapped around me, keeping me from hitting the ground.

"Shit," he muttered. "Sienna—"

"I'm fine," I said, even though I wasn't.

Caleb's eyes darkened when he saw the blood.

"You're not fine," he said, glaring at Rowan like it was his fault.

Rowan's grip on me tightened. "We don't have time for this. Get inside first."

Caleb clenched his jaw. "No. We fix her leg now."

"Not here," Rowan snapped. "Unless you want us both to carry her corpse instead."

I glared at them. "Would you two stop fighting over me for once?!"

Neither of them answered.

They just exchanged a look—a cold, dangerous one.

But for once?

They both grabbed me and helped me inside.

Together.

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