Chasing the storm

Chapter 19: Feeding the Fire

(Sienna's POV )

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For the first time in what felt like forever, the gas station was calm.

The storm outside still howled, but inside, there was a strange stillness. A temporary moment of peace in all the chaos.

Ava and Mia were busy sorting through the food supplies, arranging cans and bottled water into neat little stacks. The faint scent of warmed-up soup filled the air—the closest thing to a real meal we'd had in days.

Caleb sat beside me, his body bruised, his face pale from exhaustion. He had taken the worst of it today, and I hated that.

I finished wrapping his arm, tying the bandage securely. "Try not to move it too much," I murmured.

Caleb gave me a small, tired smile. "I'll try, but no promises."

Ava walked over, setting out the soup. "Alright, it's not much, but it's warm."

Everyone grabbed a bowl, the silence stretching as we finally sat down to eat.

I handed one to Caleb, expecting him to take it, but he hesitated.

"Hey, Sienna?" His voice was softer now, quieter.

I looked up. "Yeah?"

He gave me a small, sheepish smile, nodding toward his bandaged arm. "Would you mind…?"

I blinked, processing his words.

Oh.

He was asking me to feed him.

It wasn't some dramatic, playful thing—he genuinely needed help.

Something in my chest tightened.

"Of course," I said, scooping up a spoonful of soup. "Just don't get used to it."

Caleb chuckled. "No promises."

Ava watched the exchange with a small smile, but she didn't say anything.

Carefully, I brought the spoon up to Caleb's lips, letting him take a sip.

He sighed, relaxing slightly. "That's better."

A small, quiet moment. Normal, almost.

But then—

A chair scraped harshly against the floor.

I flinched, turning my head just in time to see Rowan standing up.

His jaw was tight, his dark eyes unreadable.

"Not hungry," he muttered, turning on his heel.

And then he was gone.

Just like that.

The air shifted.

Caleb's brows furrowed slightly. He didn't say anything, but Ava shot me a knowing look.

I ignored it, scooping up another spoonful of soup.

But as much as I tried to focus on Caleb—

My thoughts kept drifting toward Rowan.

To the way he walked away.

To the way his shoulders had tensed.

To the way something inside me twisted as I watched him leave.

And the worst part?

I didn't know why..

But it did

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