Chasing the storm

Chapter 5: Racing Against Time

This was bad.

The storm was worse than before—rain hammering down so hard it felt like needles against my skin, the wind howling like a damn monster trying to pull us under.

And now?

Now we weren't just dealing with a half-sunk car.

There was someone still out there.

Sienna was already at the wreck, yanking at the jammed door like pure adrenaline would force it open. "Come on, come on!"

The driver—a girl, bloodied, barely conscious—mumbled something again.

I leaned closer, my pulse hammering. "Where is she?"

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She tilted her head toward the floodwaters.

I turned.

The road was barely visible anymore—just a dark stretch of water swallowing the pavement, debris floating, the storm ripping through everything in its path.

And then?

A hand.

My breath caught.

For a split second, through the rain and darkness, I saw it—a hand reaching up from the water.

Then it disappeared.

Shit.

"There!" I pointed, already moving.

Sienna's head snapped toward me. "Rowan, WAIT!"

Like hell I was waiting.

I sprinted, feet splashing through the floodwaters, my whole body tensed. The water was deeper than it looked—mid-thigh already, cold as ice.

"ROWAN!" Sienna shouted, but I ignored her.

I scanned the water, heart racing.

Nothing.

No movement. No hand.

Did I imagine it?

No. No way.

I forced myself forward, wading deeper. The rain blurred my vision, lightning flashing across the sky.

Then—there.

A dark shape, barely visible, drifting further down.

A person.

And they were going under.

Fuck.

I dived.

The water was freezing, closing around me like a vice. The current dragged hard, trying to pull me under.

I pushed forward, eyes burning, lungs screaming.

There.

A body.

Long hair tangled in the current, limbs weakly trying to move.

I grabbed them, wrapping an arm around their waist, kicking hard toward the surface.

The second I broke through, a gasp tore from the person's lips—choking, gasping, panicked.

"Hold on!" I shouted over the wind, gripping them tighter.

They clung to me, trembling.

I looked toward the shore—Sienna was there, ankle-deep in the water, frantic.

"Rowan!" she screamed.

"I GOT HER!" I yelled back.

The wind nearly drowned me out.

Shit, shit, shit. The current was strong. Too strong.

I pushed forward, my muscles screaming, every step feeling like a battle.

Halfway there—then a wave crashed over us.

The girl in my arms gasped, coughing, fighting to stay up.

I tightened my grip. "I've got you, okay? Don't let go."

Her fingers dug into my jacket.

I fought harder, forcing us forward, every movement like dragging dead weight through quicksand.

Then—hands.

Sienna's hands.

She grabbed the girl first, pulling her onto solid ground.

I barely made it onto my knees before the strength left my body.

I collapsed onto the wet pavement, panting hard.

"Rowan," Sienna's voice was tight.

I forced myself up. "I'm good," I rasped, wiping my face.

The girl lay on her back, coughing up water, her face pale as hell.

Ava and Oliver ran up, helping her sit.

Sienna turned on me.

"ARE YOU INSANE?" she shrieked.

I huffed a laugh. "You love my insanity."

Her fists clenched. "You could've drowned!"

I grinned. "But I didn't."

She groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "I swear to god, Rowan, one day—"

"One day what?" I teased.

She jabbed a finger into my chest. "One day, I'm gonna let the storm take you."

I smirked, enjoying this too much.

Oliver cleared his throat. "Uh, hate to break the moment, but… we have another problem."

I turned. "What now?"

He pointed toward the sky.

A flash of lightning illuminated the swirling clouds above.

Something was shifting.

The wind had changed.

I felt it deep in my gut.

The storm wasn't moving away.

It was coming back.

Sienna saw it too.

Her voice was quiet, but deadly serious.

"Rowan… we need to get the hell out of here.**

And for once?

I actually agreed.

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