“Ow! What the fuck, Oklahoma?”
I guess I forgot to reel my strength back. “I won’t apologize. I’m five seconds away from making myself the driver if you don’t fucking go right—” I’m cut off when Evan’s vehicle crashes directly in front of us, the road cracking in half and jostling the truck from the sheer force.
“Evan!” Nariko calls for him, knowing he is dead.
I can’t see his body, but I see blood splattered against the windshield.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” Ruka stretches his arm across the passenger seat and turns to look over his shoulder to reverse.
“We can’t leave them! What if someone survived!” Nariko protests, trying to unbuckle her harness to go check on them.
I stop her by grabbing her arm. “They are gone.” I tap my ears. “There are no heartbeats. I would know.”
She’s horrified, her brows raised, her eyes round, and her lips tremble. Nariko covers his face with her hands and shakes her head.
There’s nothing we can do for them. All we can do is focus on saving ourselves.
“Go, Ruka!”
“I can’t,” he yells back at me. “We’re stuck.”
The engine hums every time he slams his foot on the gas. Tires spin and the smoke from burning rubber clouds around us.
“What the hell do you mean?”
“I mean, I can’t fucking move, Oakley. How else do you want me to say it?”
I growl, part of me wanting to throw him into the tornado so I don’t have to deal with him anymore. Nariko would never forgive me.
And that’s the only thing stopping me.
I climb out of the vehicle again; the gusts are so strong, they’re threatening to pull off my shirt. I cover my eyes from theharsh beat of rain and stare at the impending death coming our way.
The stillness is gone. It’s so wide, I can’t tell where it begins or ends.
The unknown woman is walking towards us, fire licking her skin, lightning feeding her veins.
She’s on a warpath to find whoever she’s looking for, and she won’t care who she kills.
I open the passenger side door and grab Nariko’s face by her chin. “Sugar, look at me. I need you to focus. Come on, see me, Beloved. Follow my voice. Come back to me. I know it’s scary, but you can do anything. I’ve seen you conquer fear every single day. You’re the most courageous person I know, and I need you to come back to me because I can’t do this without you.”
Tears cascade down her cheeks, and I’m there, wiping them away. I take a chance and look over my shoulder to see our friend has gained some ground.
Nariko blinks slowly, breaking her trance, listening to the urgency I’ve placed on our bond.
“Oklahoma?” Her hands are shaking; the bitterness of her fear short-circuits my thoughts.
She’s never afraid. She’s the most courageous and fearless person I’ve ever met. I love that about her. And I know even though she’s afraid, she’ll work through it. That’s who she is. She conquers her fears.
God, I think that might be the most beautiful thing about her.
Her soul is strong, and I’m drawn to her strength.
“Listen to me.” My hands settle on her jaw, cradling her face in my hands. “It’s okay to be afraid. What you feel is natural. It’s what keeps you alive, and you know that. This storm is different, right?” I offer an understanding smile. “This storm is charged by something we don’t understand, but you made me realize just because I don’t understand doesn’t mean I have to fear it. I’mfucking terrified of storms. I said I hate them, but the truth is, I’m scared all the fucking time.”
The roars become louder, the tornado gaining speed.
“You make me realize I’m brave. Like you. You show me how to live. Fear is nothing but a mindset, Nariko. You’ve taught me that. I need you to change your mindset. Push the fear aside. I need to keep you two safe, and I can’t do that without you.” And I’m not talking about her brother.
