Chasing the storm

Chapter 29: Shadows in the Storm

(Rowan's POV )

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The storm roared outside, slamming against the motel like it was trying to break in.

I sat near the window, staring at the sheets of rain, my fingers tapping against the table.

I could still feel the tension in my jaw, the frustration clawing at my ribs.

Caleb had bandaged her.

Caleb.

Like I wasn't right there.

Like I wouldn't have done it faster. Better.

I should've been the one to do it.

She's mine to protect.

That thought made my pulse spike.

I exhaled sharply, shoving it away.

---

Oliver, Ava, Mia, and Caleb were already up, moving around, checking the motel for supplies.

I barely paid attention as Oliver rattled off a list of what they had found.

"Some canned food, bottled water, medical kits, but not much else. This place was already cleaned out."

Ava sighed, tossing a flashlight onto the table. "We might need to ration more."

Caleb ran a hand through his damp hair. "How long do we even plan on staying here?"

No one answered.

Because none of us knew.

Because the storm wasn't normal.

And none of us wanted to say it.

---

I finally tore my gaze away from the window and looked across the room.

Sienna was sitting on the old motel bed, her leg stretched out in front of her.

She wasn't moving much.

I exhaled and walked over, ignoring the way Caleb's eyes flickered toward me.

She looked up as I dropped into the chair beside her. "Done sulking?"

I smirked. "Who said I was sulking?"

She arched a brow. "Your entire attitude."

I leaned back, stretching my legs out. "I'm not sulking, Sunshine. Just thinking."

She rolled her eyes, shifting slightly. Her wince was small, but I saw it.

I frowned. "Still hurting?"

She hesitated. "It's fine."

Liar.

I didn't push. Not yet.

Instead, I glanced back at the others. "They're still searching?"

She nodded. "Mia and Ava are looking through the back rooms. Oliver and Caleb are trying to see if any of the doors still lock."

I let out a dry chuckle. "Like a locked door is gonna stop whatever the hell is out there."

She didn't laugh.

Instead, she just watched me.

I could feel the weight of her stare.

The tension between us?

It wasn't fading.

---

Across the room, Oliver let out a sharp breath.

"Ava, stop. That door's jammed."

Ava didn't stop. She kept yanking at the door handle, frustration written all over her face. "We need to check everything."

Oliver stepped closer, voice low. "I said stop."

Ava turned sharply, glaring. "I'm trying to help, Oliver."

The way she said his name?

Like it meant something more.

Oliver's jaw tightened. "You always do this."

Ava scoffed. "Do what?"

Oliver didn't answer right away.

And for the first time, I realized something—

That wasn't just normal bickering.

There was something else there.

Something old.

Something unfinished.

---

Sienna shifted beside me, her voice quieter. "They've known each other a long time."

I glanced at her. "You think something happened?"

She shrugged. "I think Oliver doesn't let people in easily. he's a nerd tho..I never thought he'd be this close to a girl."

I hummed, watching the way Ava's hands clenched into fists. "And now?"

Sienna sighed. "Now? I think they both feel something."

I didn't say anything.

Because for the first time in hours, my mind wasn't on Oliver and Ava.

It was on her.

And the fact that we weren't so different.

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