Chasing the storm

Chapter 17: Blood and Chaos

(Rowan's POV)

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The second I turned, I knew something was off.

The fire station had been too quiet. Too empty.

Now, I knew why.

A figure stepped out from the shadows, tall and broad, his silhouette cutting through the dim light. His clothes were torn, dirt smeared across his face, but his stance? Solid. Dangerous.

Not some random survivor.

Someone who knew how to fight.

"Didn't think I'd run into company," the man muttered, voice rough like gravel.

I shifted my grip on the axe. "Yeah? Guess today's your unlucky day."

He smirked. Too confident.

I moved first.

Fast.

But not fast enough.

The guy dodged, blocking my swing with ease before countering—his fist slamming into my ribs with enough force to send me stumbling back.

I barely had time to recover before he was on me again, a knife flashing in his hand.

Shit.

I ducked, twisting away just as the blade slashed through the air. My pulse spiked. This guy wasn't just some scavenger. He knew how to fight.

"Rowan!"

Sienna's voice.

I risked a glance—she and Oliver were rushing in, eyes wide with panic.

The second of distraction cost me.

The guy grabbed me, slamming me into the wall.

Air shot from my lungs. Pain exploded across my back.

"Shit—"

I tried to move, but he pressed the knife against my throat.

"Stay down," he hissed.

Like hell I would.

Before I could react, though—

He moved.

Not towards me.

Towards Sienna.

I saw it happen in slow motion.

He lunged. She skidded to a stop, eyes wide—too slow, too caught off guard—

I moved on instinct.

Pure rage shot through me, and I reacted before I could think.

I grabbed the fire axe—

And swung.

The blade slammed into his shoulder.

His scream tore through the air, blood splattering against the floor.

Sienna gasped. Oliver froze.

I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

I ripped the axe free and hit him again. Harder.

The guy collapsed, groaning, blood pooling around him. He wouldn't die. But he'd remember me.

I exhaled, chest heaving, my vision blurry with adrenaline.

Sienna stared at me, eyes wide, body trembling.

"Rowan…" she whispered.

I wiped the blood off my face, shaking off the tension. "What?"

"You…" She swallowed hard. "You nearly killed him."

I shrugged, tossing the axe over my shoulder. "Should've been faster."

She didn't look convinced.

Oliver exhaled sharply. "We need to go. Now."

I nodded, stepping over the guy as we bolted out of the fire station, heading straight back to the gas station.

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Back at the Gas Station

The second we got inside, something was wrong.

Too quiet.

Too empty.

Caleb's team?

Nowhere.

Sienna's face paled. "They should be back by now."

Ava ran up, looking worried. "They went to check the school for supplies, but… they're late. Way late."

Sienna clenched her fists. "We have to go after them."

I ran a hand through my hair, still buzzing from the fight.

This day just kept getting worse.

I glanced at Sienna.

She was scared.

I could see it.

And no matter how much I tried to pretend I didn't care—

I did.

Too much.

I sighed. "Fine. But we do this my way."

She looked up at me. "And that is?"

I smirked. "We go in prepared. And we don't lose anyone else."

Her expression softened—just for a second.

Then?

The storm howled louder.

And I knew.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

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