Chasing the storm

Chapter 8: Morning After Chaos

(Rowan's POV )

---

Silence.

For the first time in what felt like forever, there was silence.

The storm had finally quieted, the wind no longer howling like a damn banshee. Rain still drizzled outside, but it was a whisper compared to last night's rage.

Everyone was asleep.

Ava curled up next to Caleb, her head on his arm. Mia was bundled in a jacket against the counter. Oliver snored lightly from his spot on the floor, dead to the world.

And Sienna?

Sienna was inches away from me.

She had passed out against the same counter, arms crossed, face turned slightly toward me.

I should've moved.

Should've put some distance between us before she woke up and tried to kill me again.

But I didn't.

Instead, I just watched.

Her face was softer in sleep. The usual fire in her expression was gone, leaving behind something quieter, something vulnerable.

Something she would probably stab me for noticing.

A smirk tugged at my lips.

Too bad.

I shifted slightly—and of course, that was the exact moment her eyes snapped open.

She blinked, still groggy. Then her gaze landed on me, and her entire body stiffened.

"Why are you staring at me?" she muttered.

"Because you're pretty when you're not trying to kill me."

Her face heated instantly. "Shut up."

I chuckled. "Good morning to you too, sweetheart."

Sienna scowled and shoved me away. "Don't call me that."

I grinned. "But it suits you."

"Rowan." Her voice was low. Dangerous.

I knew that tone.

That was the I'm two seconds from punching you tone.

I lifted my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. No pet names before breakfast."

She rolled her eyes, stretching her arms. "What time is it?"

"No idea. But it's morning." I nodded toward the broken window, where pale light was finally creeping in.

She sighed. "Great. We survived the night. Now what?"

"We figure out how to get out of here."

She ran a hand through her messy hair. "And how do you plan to do that? The roads are still flooded."

"Ever heard of improvising?"

She shot me a look. "Ever heard of not being an idiot?"

I smirked. "Doesn't ring a bell."

She groaned. "I hate you."

"Liar."

Before she could actually hit me, the others started to stir.

Caleb was the first to sit up, scanning the room like a soldier checking for threats. Ava yawned beside him, rubbing her eyes. Mia stretched. Oliver groaned dramatically.

"Ugh, my back," Oliver grumbled. "Gas station floors are not ideal sleeping conditions."

Ava chuckled. "Could've fooled me. You snored through the whole night."

Sienna ignored them, standing up and brushing dust off her jeans.

"I'm gonna step outside. See if the road's visible," she muttered.

I frowned. "Alone?"

She shot me a glare. "I can handle it."

I didn't like it.

Not because I didn't think she could take care of herself—I knew she could.

But after everything yesterday? I wasn't taking chances.

I stood. "I'll come with—"

"No," she snapped. "Stay here."

I narrowed my eyes. "Sienna—"

"I don't need a damn babysitter, Rowan."

Her voice was sharp. Annoyed.

And for some reason, that pissed me off.

I wasn't trying to babysit her.

I was trying to keep her alive.

"You're being reckless," I muttered.

She let out a humorless laugh. "Me? That's rich coming from you."

She turned, striding toward the door.

I clenched my jaw. "Fine. Go get yourself killed."

She didn't even look back.

---

A Few Minutes Later…

I was still fuming when Caleb spoke.

"You really piss her off, huh?"

I huffed. "She started it."

He snorted. "You enjoy it."

I glanced at him. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was sharp.

I leaned back against the counter. "And what if I do?"

Caleb's eyes darkened.

"Just don't get her hurt."

There was a warning in his voice. A tension I hadn't noticed before.

Something about it rubbed me the wrong way.

Before I could reply, a shout rang out from outside.

Sienna.

My blood turned to ice.

We were on our feet in an instant, sprinting toward the door.

Outside, the rain had slowed, but the world was still a mess of wreckage and flooded roads.

And Sienna?

She was not alone.

A man—dirty, desperate-looking—had grabbed her by the arm, his fingers digging into her skin.

He looked rough—like he had been out in the storm all night, soaked and shivering. His other hand clutched something sharp—a piece of glass, maybe a knife.

"Let go of me!" Sienna snarled, struggling against his grip.

I saw red.

I was already moving—fists clenched, ready to rip this guy apart—when someone beat me to it.

Caleb.

Before I could even reach them, Caleb had shoved the man back, his stance solid, his face unreadable.

"Walk away," Caleb said, voice calm but lethal.

The guy hesitated—like he was weighing his chances.

I stepped beside Caleb, cracking my knuckles. "Or don't. I'd love to throw a punch this morning."

The man took one look at us and bolted.

Coward.

I turned to Sienna. "Are you—"

"I'm fine." Her voice was tight.

But her hands were still shaking.

I noticed Caleb looking at her too, eyes softer now.

Something about that made my stomach tighten.

The way he had stepped in. The way she had looked at him afterward.

Like she was surprised.

Like she was… grateful.

I didn't like it.

Not at all.

I forced my voice to stay even. "Next time, maybe listen to me before walking into danger, yeah?"

Sienna shot me a glare. "I didn't ask for your advice."

Caleb sighed. "Can we not do this now?"

I clenched my jaw, ignoring the way Sienna kept glancing at Caleb.

I had bigger things to worry about.

Like the fact that we weren't alone in this storm.

There were others out here.

And not all of them were friendly.

---