Tornadogenesis | Tyler Owens x OC

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A/N: Some depictions of PTSD / panic attacks in this chapter.

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Storms rolled in quickly, and with them unpredictability. Dark clouds created a barrier between earth and sun, enshrouding the area in darkness. Pop-up storms were common at this time of year. More often than not, they'd pass as soon as they formed.

Dana was naïve about the sky once. "It's getting dark pretty fast." Raindrops began to hit the windshield.

Tyler glanced to the outside temperature displayed on the truck dashboard. "It's warm, but not very humid. It'll pass."

He hadn't looked to see Dana's gaze transfixed on the sky. Her steady breathing picked up speed with the windshield wipers as the rain fell more heavily. The highway continued toward the storm.

"You see the laptop back there?" Tyler gestured to the back seat. Dana tore her focus away to look behind her. She leaned back slightly to retrieve it. "There's a satellite radar app on it."

Dana turned on the laptop and searched the cluttered desktop until she found the app. Opening it, she waited a few moments as it loaded. Gradually, the radar expanded and revealed bright green, yellow, and red. Her hands turned to ice as she tilted the screen for Tyler to see.

He took a brief glance before looking back on the road. "Where's it headed?"

"North west." They were headed south, straight into its belly.

Tyler looked to her now, after hearing the panic in her voice. "It's okay. You hear me? You're going to be okay."

She nodded in silence. Dana appreciated the reassurance, but she'd be lying if she said it made her feel much better. Her eyes shifted between the horizon and the radar. They'd be in the thick of it in a few minutes.

The heavy rain made it hard to see. The windshield wipers could hardly keep up. All she could make out was the red glow of a car's taillights. Red. Like the image on the radar.

Dana looked to Tyler, who seemed unbothered. As if it were a casual Sunday drive. The only solace she could find was his calm, confident demeanor. He welcomed the rain like an old friend.

Hail hit the roof of the truck in loud thunks. Dana's heart pounded following its rhythm.

"Tyler." Her hand gripped the arm rest on the door. "Stop the truck."

"What?" He spoke as if everything was fine. But the fear rose into her chest and squeezed her lungs.

"I said stop the truck."

Tyler didn't question a second time. He signaled to the shoulder of the highway, put the truck in park, and engaged the hazards.

It's okay. It's okay. She tried repeating his words in her mind. The loud dime-sized hail was louder than her thoughts. Howling wind brought her back to the day she'd rather forget.

"I can't-" Dana squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears with the palms of her hands. Her breathing came in rapid gasps.

"Hey. Look at me."  Tyler gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Dana."

She shook her head and refused. She stole quick glances at the blurry horizon.

"Don't look at that. Look at me."

Hesitantly, her eyes opened and she brought her tear-filled gaze up to meet his. Tyler's blue-green eyes were filled with determination, confidence, and calmness.

"I promise, everything is going to be okay." He held her gaze as the storm worsened. Lightning flashed, illuminated his face as thunder clapped. Dana wanted to duck under the dashboard, hiding from the disaster she feared most. But his eyes held her steady.

"If you want to turn back, we can find some place else to stay."

Dana nodded, still too frightened to speak.

Tyler put the truck into gear and navigated to the next exit off the highway. Soon, they were headed north east, perpendicular to the storm's path. The hail came to an end as they gradually distanced themselves from the cell.

Lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a delayed, low rumble of thunder. Dana could finally breathe easier.