Chasing the storm

You're absolutely right, baby. Caleb

Chapter 23: Into the Eye of the Storm

(Rowan's POV)

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The storm was getting worse.

I could hear it—screaming through the ruins, rattling the gas station walls, drowning out every other sound.

The rain hadn't let up since last night. If anything, it was coming down harder, slamming against the pavement in sheets so thick it was almost impossible to see past them.

But the problem wasn't the rain.

It was Oliver's team.

They had gone out hours ago—splitting up to check for more survivors.

They were supposed to be back by now.

And they weren't.

Sienna had been pacing for the last ten minutes, gripping the radio so tight her knuckles were white.

Static. That was all that had come through.

Then, finally—

"—Rowan? Sienna?"

Oliver's voice. Broken, cutting in and out.

Sienna nearly dropped the radio in relief. "Oliver! Where the hell are you?"

"—South side of the bridge—" His voice cracked, full of interference. "—road's flooded, can't get—Mia's hurt—storm's getting—Caleb—"

Then nothing.

Silence.

Sienna pressed the button desperately. "Oliver? Oliver, answer me!"

I was already grabbing my jacket.

"We need to go. Now."

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Into the Storm

Sienna barely hesitated before nodding, yanking on her coat and grabbing supplies.

Now,

It was just us.

The second we stepped outside, the cold punched through my clothes, cutting straight to the bone.

The wind was worse than before. It tore at us, shoving us sideways with each step.

Sienna pulled her hood up, but it didn't do much.

"This is insane," she muttered, pushing forward.

I didn't answer.

Because she was right.

But that didn't mean we were turning back.

---

It took twice as long as it should have.

The streets were half-flooded, the wind making it almost impossible to keep moving forward.

We rounded the collapsed overpass, pushing through the wreckage.

Then—

A flashlight.

Sienna saw it first. "There!"

We ran.

Oliver was crouched beside a collapsed sign, shielding Mia, who was curled up, holding her arm.

Ava was next to them, her face pale with worry.

But it was Caleb who caught my attention.

He was on the ground, blood streaking down the side of his face, gripping his leg.

Sienna's breath caught. "Caleb!"

She ran toward him, kneeling beside him.

I took one look and knew.

His leg was badly bruised, maybe fractured.

He exhaled hard, his jaw tight. "I'm fine."

"Bullshit," I muttered.

Sienna glared at me, then turned back to him. "What happened?"

Caleb clenched his teeth. "A signpost collapsed when we were trying to get back. I shoved Ava out of the way, but—"

His gaze flickered downward.

His leg was swelling fast.

Sienna swallowed hard. "You shouldn't move."

"We don't have time for that," I said. "The storm's getting worse."

Oliver was already hauling Mia up, keeping his arm around her shoulders.

Ava looked at Caleb, then at me. "Can you carry him?"

I exhaled sharply. "Do I have a choice?"

Caleb shot me a look. "I can walk."

I scoffed. "Sure. And I can fly."

Before he could argue, I crouched down and hauled him up, slinging his arm over my shoulder.

He let out a sharp breath, wincing.

"Try not to enjoy this too much," he muttered.

I smirked. "Not in a million years."

---

Running Back, Running Out of Time

Every step was a struggle.

The wind was brutal.

The storm was shifting again.

I could feel it in the air—the pressure dropping, the clouds moving in fast.

This wasn't just a storm anymore.

It was a warning.

And we were running out of time.

Sienna stayed close beside me, keeping a hand on Caleb's back as I helped him walk.

The gas station was close.

But the storm?

It was closer.

---

Back at the Gas Station –

The second we stumbled through the doors, the tension broke.

Ava and Mia collapsed onto the counter, exhausted.

The storm raged outside, shaking the building.

But inside?

For now?

We were safe.

Sienna exhaled hard, sinking into a chair.

I just leaned against the wall, running a hand through my soaked hair.

"That," I muttered, "was too damn close."

She let out a weak laugh. "You think?"

Our eyes met.

For a second, the storm didn't exist.

Just her.

And the way my heart was still hammering too fast.

I smirked. "You still breathing, Sunshine?"

She glared. "Barely."

But she didn't let go of my arm.

And I didn't make her.

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