Chapter Twelve
“FUCK.”
THE SINGLEword encompasses everything I’m feeling and nothing all at once. The moment she ran down the hallway, she made my decision for me. Leaving it to linger in the air like an unspoken truth. Just as the word leaves my mouth, I turn to face my employees. An equal sense of shock engulfs their faces. They can’t believe what just transpired, either. It’s good to know I’m not the only one horrified by Raven’s dramatic exit.
With a shake of my head, I know what I have to do. No matter how badly I don’t want to, I must. My words come out as a growl. “I’m going after her.”
They gasp, but some nod their head in agreement, having come to the same conclusion I have. Someone has to go after her. There is no other option. I will not leave Raven out there to face the storm alone. Even if she’s insane.
Olivia steps forward, placing one hand to stop me from leaving. Wide hazel eyes plead with me, but they do nothing to stop me. “You can’t go. It’s too dangerous.”
Ignoring her words, I shake her off. Hurt flashes through her gaze, but I don’t have time to care or apologize.
I have made my decision, and there is no going back. There is no other path forward. “Close the door behind me. Don’t open it until the tornado passes.”
Jade’s brunette hair shakes as she opens her mouth to argue with me, too. I cut her with a hard stare before looking to August. I know he’ll listen to me. “This door doesn’t open. That’s an order.”
He nods his head once before stepping forward, his hands already in place to pull the door shut as soon as I’m out of the way.
With one last look at each of them, I step through the open doorway. Calling out over my shoulder, “Be safe.”
With my employees dealt with, I grit my teeth and force myself back out into the hallway. I sprint after Raven like our lives depend on it. Because that might very well be the truth. Both of our lives might depend on every action we take from this moment forward.
My lungs burn as I stop at the end of the hall. The muscles in my legs screaming for rest. You’d think I don’t work out four days a week. Maybe I shouldn’t skip cardio at the gym anymore.
With a panting breath, I look in both directions, trying to decipher which way she might have gone. Seeing the glass door to my left, I shake my head in disbelief. My feet slow of their own accord, because I know exactly where she went. The pit that formed inside me the moment she ran off on her own deepens, threatening to swallow me whole.
A sinister wind snakes through the building. The sound sends a chill down my spine. I’ve lived through hundreds of severe storms, but this one is different. You can feel it in the air. Moisture clings to my lungs with each inhale. Electricity hisses through the air, making every hair on my body stand at alert.
This is bad, this is really bad.
The pressure in the building changes, and for the first time, I glance out the windows at the sky as I approach the entrance to the building. A sickening green hue tints the atmosphere, and I recognize the telltale sign that things are about to get worse - much worse.
“Raven?” My voice cracks, sounding foreign to my own ears. Even I can hear how terrified I sound. Intuition tells me that Raven should be here. But she isn’t.
Silence greets me, and the pit in my stomach drops even further.
Something’s wrong. I can feel it in my bones.
The thud of large chunks of hail pounding the building fills my ears as I step towards the door. This is literally the last place I should be in a storm, but I will not leave Raven out here alone. Despite the deafening noise, I yell out once more. “Raven!”
Movement catches my eyes as she shifts on the ground. Curled in a ball on the other side of the door, Raven’s panic filled eyes meet mine. In the blink of an eye, I open the door, moving to pull Raven to her feet.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around her. Relief floods through me just to hold her. She shutters against my chest, and my first instinct is to check if she’s hurt. “Are you okay?”
When I lean back, my hard gaze runs over her body, checking for any injuries. She’s soaked and trembling. When I see no obvious signs that she’s hurt, an irrational rage rushes through me. Not only did she put her own life in danger, but mine along with it.
“What were you thinking?” Fury permeates my every word. She stares up at me, her wide eyes blinking helplessly for half a second before her rage equals mine. Movement around her chest draws my eyes down to the bundle in her arms. My anger vanishes in an instant as curiosity replaces it. “What is that?”
A single eye peaks over her arm at me, one ear turning in my direction. Mud coats its reddish brown fur, making it look like it’s been outside for at least a week.
“It’s a dog. What does it look like?” The exasperation in her voice tries unsuccessfully to hide the exhaustion and fear that is written all over her face. “I couldn’t just leave it out here.”
The tornado sirens cut off any chance for further conversation. The sound fills our ears, drowning out the barrage of the hail still pounding the ground and building above us. Instinct forces me into action. Without thinking, I’m pulling her into the safety of the hallway. With her out of the way, I turn my focus to the exterior door.
The wind picks up just as I pull with all my might against the glass. The door only moves a few inches before a gust of air forces it open again. A curse slips past my lips, all of my progress lost in a matter of seconds. I try again, but despite my efforts to force the door shut once more, the wind rips it from my grip. Before I can turn away, it smashes into the wall beside us. Shattering glass sprays through the air in all directions. For a split second, I am mesmerized by the spatter of sparkling shards as they fall to the ground. In the next second, I’m turning to shield Raven’s body with my own.
Glancing over my shoulder, I stare down at the glass at our feet. The image plays on repeat in my mind as I press us further into the building. With a slow panning gaze, my eyes move to the horizon.
This isn’t just a tornado warning. There is a tornado. It’s here, and it’s coming straight for us. It’s almost alive, growing larger with each passing second as it barrels down on us.
It’s chaotic might stares us in the face, and for a moment all we can do is stand there frozen in fear. Lightning cracks across the sky, snapping me back to my senses. “It’s time to go.”
Wordlessly, she nods her head, a hint of strength returning to her eyes. She’s no helpless maiden caught in the clutches of the monster lurking just outside. Trickles of blood steak down her beautiful face, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more terrifying or more captivating at the same time. She is a warrior, fearless, and ready for battle.
Keeping a firm grip on her arm; I drag her into a run. She keeps up with me easily, still clutching the wet mess of a dog to her chest.
A shuttering rumble moves through the building, and I know we are out of time. There is no returning to the storm shelter. The tornado is on top of us.
My feet skid to a halt as I open a closest door and pull us inside. My eyes fly around the room, searching her anything I can use to throw over us. But there is nothing. “Get down and cover you head.”
Her eyes trace the room as she realizes we aren’t much safer here than we were in the hallway. I move behind her before nodding at the floor. “I’ll shield you from the debris.”
“Blake-.” She tries to argue, but I silence her with a single look. This isn’t the time to argue, and she knows it.
Nodding, she lowers herself to the floor. Placing the dog underneath her, she wraps her arms over her head. Kneeling, I do the last thing I thought I’d be doing today; I wrap my body around Raven’s.
The building quivers around us and the lights go out. An unnatural darkness engulfs us. I wouldn’t be able to see my hand if I held it out in front of us. The dog whimpers and Raven whispers soft words of comfort to it. “Shhh, little buddy. It’s okay. I’m here.”
Her words sound sure, but there is no confidence behind them. Her voice waivers at the end, a shiver running through her. Involuntarily, my grip tightens around her slight frame, doing anything in my power to make her feel safe. Even when that seems like an impossible feat.
Pops clatters on the ceiling above us, then another. A moment passes, and the pops and cracks of the building around us morph into the sound of a thousand tiny hammers beating away at the building. A loud roar fills the air, a deafening sound that makes my ears pop. Instinctively, I shield my head from any debris that might fall.
The roof over our heads lifts a fraction of an inch and for a second, I fear it’ll break away, leaving us open to the onslaught of rubble soaring through the air.
The shelves lining the walls shake, rattling their contents onto the floor. A few pieces hit me on the back, but I ignore the pain that radiates through me.
I tighten my arms around her; the roar above us becomes deafening. Despite everything that’s happened between us, I press my lips to her ear, hoping she can hear me over the pandemonium happening around us. Because even though she hates me, I want her to feel safe. “I’ve got you, Sunflower. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
When I’m met with nothing but silence, I press my lips against her ear. I need her to know I’ll take care of her. “You hear me?”
She nods her head against my chest, and something about the motion warms my heart. Repeating the words, I squeeze her again. “I’ve got you.”
“You’ve got me.” She says back, her words coming out barely louder than a whisper, but I feel them all the way in my toes.
The oddest sensation passes over me. I can’t comprehend the storm of emotions brewing in my chest that every bit matches the one outside. Two parts within me war against each other. The one that resents the feelings I’ve been harboring for Raven and the one that wants nothing more than to hold her protectively in my arms. In an instant, the battle is won. Both armies lay down their weapons. Raven is the only thing that matters now.
The world is literally tearing itself to shreds around us, but all I can think about is keeping Raven safe. Even if something happens to me, as long as she’s okay, it will all have been worth it.
The minutes stretch as if hours have passed when suddenly the roaring wind dies down, and light appears on the other side of the door. The closet is void of any sound, even the smallest noise feels magnified. As if one small creak has the power to dismantle the entire building.
I lift my head first, glancing down at Raven to make sure she isn’t hurt. She’s covered in dust and insulation from the ceiling. Through all the dirt, it’s impossible to tell if she’s hurt. I realize I must be filthy, too. My voice is soft when I speak. “Raven, are you okay?”
As she hesitates, uneases ripples through my body. Finally, in the dim light, she nods her head. “I think so. Are you okay?”
The concern in her voice sends a jolt through my heart. It mixes with the adrenaline already pumping through my system. At this point, I could bleed and not feel any pain. “As far as I know.”
My lower back is tight. It’ll hurt like hell later. But I’ll never tell her that. I’d take a hundred hits to ensure she doesn’t take a single one.
She lifts slightly to check on the puppy beneath her. “Are you okay, little guy?”
Glancing over her shoulder, the pup shifts and relief floods through me. We all made it. Despite every odd. My thoughts turn to our employees. I can’t help but wonder if they are okay. Have they called for help? Does anyone know we are here?
“Don’t move.” The firmness in my voice has her eyes catching mine. They widen for a second, like she wants to argue with me.
As if remembering where we are, she nods, conceding not to stand. She shifts into a seated position, pulling the pup into her lap. Pushing myself off the ground, I stand and look around. Cracks run up and down the walls anywhere seams meet. There must be more damage to the roof and exterior walls than is visible to what I can see. Taking careful steps, I make my way towards the door.
Cautiously, I reach out and pull on the doorknob. It doesn’t budge. I can’t force it. Who knows what could happen if I did? We are stuck here, and this building could crumble to the ground on top of us at any moment. We may have just survived a tornado, but we are trapped here. Until someone comes for us, there is no escape.
Turning my head, I peek at her. She hasn’t noticed the danger we are in. A thousand possibilities run through my mind all at once. But I don’t voice a single fear. It would only terrify her.
The puppy is no longer squirming in her lap. She has it cradled in her arms like a baby. She’s scratching its tiny ears. I can’t help but wonder if she’s doing it to ease her own discomfort as much as she’s doing it for the dog.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I check the screen. But just like I expected, there is no service. Regardless, I type out a message to my mother. If anyone can move mountains to get us out of here, it’s her.
Taking meticulous care, I walk back to where she is sitting and lower myself to the ground in front of her. “Raven?”
Panicked eyes meet mine. Her piercing gaze evaluates my face, trying to search out everything I’m not saying. Reaching out, I trail my fingertips across her cheekbone. I can only hope my touch will bring her an ounce of the peace her touch brings me. She looks as fragile as the building around us. I wish I could protect her, but not telling her the truth would be a lie. “I don’t want to scare you, but the door won’t open.”
Shaking her head like she doesn’t believe me, she tries to stand. I know she’s going to force the door open. “It’s not safe. We’ll have to wait for someone to come get us.”
Raven pulls her phone out, having the same thought I did. But disappointment causes her face to drop as soon as she sees we have no service. I can only watch helplessly as the hope drains from her eyes and her skin turns sickly pale.
Tears stream down her face as the realization of our situation settles over her. “We can’t get out?”
The despair in her voice almost cracks my chest open wide. I wish I could take all of her pain and fear she’s feeling and make it mine. But I can’t. Being strong is the only option I have. That’s what she needs right now.
Without thinking of the repercussions, I wrap my arms around her. Pulling her close, I wipe the tears off her face. “It’s okay. We are okay.”
A shuttering sob wracks through her body, and without thinking, I pull her against my chest. Raven may hate me, but she can go back to hating me when she’s not falling apart. Right now, I’ll do everything in my power to hold her together. Running a hand down her hair, I brush away the debris. “Take deep breaths. I’ve got you.”
Nodding slightly, I feel her take a deep breath. I breathe along with her, slow inhales and exhales until she’s no longer hyperventilating. When she speaks, her voice is strained. And I know she’s doing everything in her power to stay strong. “Distract me.”
Her request surprises me, and for a moment my mind goes blank. Not a single thing I’ve done in my life feels good enough to distract her. All the things she hates about me runs through my mind, and immediately, I know what to say to her. “I’ve been thinking about something you said on our hike.”
“Oh?” Her voice rises with piqued interest.
“About the day we met.” When her shoulders tense, I move my hand to them and she relaxes under my touch. “Relax, it’s not what you think.”
My hold on her tightens as I speak. “Remember how you said I didn’t stand a chance because of who I am?”
She nods her head against my chest. The motion boosts my confidence, pressing me forward. “Well, neither did you.”
The confidence in my words has her shifting to look at me, needing to read my face. “What do you mean?”
Her eyes light up with curiosity, and I know I’ve got her full attention. My distraction is working like a charm. But I’m not saying these things just to keep her mind off our situation. I’m saying this because it’s something I want her to know. “It’s not like we didn’t know who the other was before we met, Sunflower. My family hates yours and vice versus.”
She pulls her lip between her teeth, contemplating my words. My eyes lower of their own accord, and I have to force myself to look away.
“Do you deny it?” Raising one brow, the corner of my mouth tilts in a smirk.
She releases her lip as she shakes her head. Her eyes harden for a moment before they soften again. She wants to argue with me, but there’s no denying the truth. She was going to hate me either way.
We never stood a chance, even as friends.
“I didn’t think so.” There’s a thread of disappointment in my voice, and I pray she doesn’t hear it.
Reaching out again, I tuck her hair behind her ear, needing to touch her even if it’s only for a second. Nerves twist in my stomach when her eyes close as my finger brushes the skin at the nape of her neck. Her reaction boosts my confidence.
My heart thuds unbearably loud in my ears, and I’m worried she might hear it. When I reach my hand across the distance between us. When she doesn’t pull away, I take her hand in mine. Her fingers tremble against me, so I run a soothing stroke of my thumb over her skin. Intertwining her fingers with mine, she gives my hand a small squeeze. Her silent way of urging me to continue.
“You said I was every bit what people say I am.” Being honest like this with her hurts. I don’t want to ruin any chances we might have at friendship, but if it keeps her preoccupied, it’s worth it. “When I saw you, I thought the same thing.”
She tilts her head, confusion clouding her face. “And what do people say about me?”
The smirk on my face grows, and she licks her lips in anticipation of what I’m about to say. She’s interested, and I love the look in her eyes. “That nothing and no one is ever good enough for you.”
A chuckle pours from her lips as she shakes her head. “Why am I not surprised?”
Her eyes shift from the puppy sleeping in her lap back to me. “But what do you think about me now?”
Her question surprises me. Temptation burns on my tongue to tell her exactly how I feel about her, but I know I can’t. She isn’t ready for it, and I doubt she ever will be. No matter how badly I want to. If I’m being honest, I’m not ready to admit it either.
Even though it’s just us here, I draw closer to her as if to whisper a secret for her ears only. “You are so much more than I expected.”
Dozens of other things I could say run on a loop in my mind. All things she isn’t ready to hear. I force the words to remain on my tongue.
She stares at me unblinking with her mouth open a fraction of an inch. It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve stunned my sunflower into silence.
My thoughts stop in their tracks.
Raven isn’t my sunflower. And she never will be.
We stare at each other for a long moment, before her features soften. She opens her mouth to speak, but I never get to hear what she’s about to say. Our names being called ring out from somewhere in the building. In an instant, I am on my feet. In two steps, I am at the door. I can sense Raven’s presence behind me.
“Here! We are in here!” My voice booms through the tiny room.
“This way.” Voices move closer and I know we are moments from being rescued.
Turning to face Raven, I take in her relieved expression. Without thinking, I pull her against me one last time. I know I’ll never hold her like this again. “You were so brave today, Sunflower. I am so proud of you.”
Releasing her, I hold on to the sensation of her body pressed against mine. Once this door opens, everything will go back to the way it was. And once again, I’ll have to make peace with that.