?Chapter 53:


    Makenna’s POV:


    The bathroom next to the training room was a ce where we usually showered after the grueling sessions. Each cubicle was separated by sturdy boards, providing just enough privacy. It was convenient, and I had made it a habit to clean up there before heading back to my ce.<iframe allow="autoy; attribution-reporting ''src'' https://cm.teads.tv" scrolling="no" title="native" id="teads-native-iframe" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100% !important; height: 412px; border: none; overflow: hidden; disy: block; float: none;"></iframe>


    I randomly chose a cubicle, undressed, and hung my clothes on one of the boards.


    As the warm water cascaded down, washing away the fatigue of the day, I let out a contented sigh, narrowing my eyes in rxation.


    But amid my peaceful moment, I heard a faint rustling sound outside the cubicle door.


    My senses sharpened, and I paused, ears straining to catch any further noise. The sound persisted for a moment, so I quickly turned off the shower and called out, “Is someone out there?”


    As soon as the water ceased, the rustling stopped. The bathroom fell into an eerie silence.


    Was it just my imagination?<iframe allow="autoy; attribution-reporting ''src'' https://cm.teads.tv" scrolling="no" title="native" id="teads-native-iframe" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100% !important; height: 412px; border: none; overflow: hidden; disy: block; float: none;"></iframe>


    I called out again, louder this time, but the only response was the echo of my own voice.


    Convinced it was a trick of my tired mind, I shook my head, dismissing the thought, and turned the water back on, eager to finish up and head home.


    After a quick rinse, I reached for my clothes, only to grasp empty air.


    My heart skipped a beat as I turned toward the board where I had hung my clothes.


    My clothes were gone.<iframe allow="autoy; attribution-reporting ''src'' https://cm.teads.tv" scrolling="no" title="native" id="teads-native-iframe" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100% !important; height: 412px; border: none; overflow: hidden; disy: block; float: none;"></iframe>


    What happened to them?


    Panic surged through me. I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.


    “Damn it!”


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    I pushed with all my strength, but something heavy was pressed against it from the outside.<iframe allow="autoy; attribution-reporting ''src'' https://cm.teads.tv" scrolling="no" title="native" id="teads-native-iframe" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100% !important; height: 412px; border: none; overflow: hidden; disy: block; float: none;"></iframe>


    Frustrated and scared, I pounded on the door and shouted, “Is anyone there? Help!”


    But no matter how desperately I yelled, there was no answer. The bathroom seemed to have swallowed my voice.


    “The sound earlier… it wasn’t just in my head, was it?”


    The rustling noise returned to my mind, clearer now in retrospect. Someone had been outside my cubicle, and they had taken my clothes and locked me in.


    “Bastard!” I kicked the door in anger, fury bubbling up inside me. Who would stoop so low to y such a cruel trick?


    After several futile attempts to force the door open, I gave up.


    Wrapped in nothing but a bath towel, I leaned against the cubicle wall, trying to figure out my next move. To make matters worse, the chill was beginning to seep into my bones.


    I couldn’t afford to just sit there, shivering in the cold. Whoever had done this was likely making sure no one else woulde near. If I didn’t find a way out, the chill might im me before anyone discovered what had happened.<iframe allow="autoy; attribution-reporting ''src'' https://cm.teads.tv" scrolling="no" title="native" id="teads-native-iframe" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100% !important; height: 412px; border: none; overflow: hidden; disy: block; float: none;"></iframe>


    Determined, I took a deep breath, tightened the shower towel around me, and assessed the situation.


    The board separating the cubicles stood around seven feet high—not impossible to climb. The ceiling was nearly twelve inches above the top of the board, so if I could just get over it, I might be able to escape this makeshift prison.


    With a n forming in my mind, I steeled myself and made the first attempt to climb.


    The board was slick from the water, and my first few tries were met with failure. But I didn’t give up. After several efforts, my fingers finally found a purchase, and I managed to haul myself up.


    “Hooray!”


    A surge of triumph rushed through me as I reached the top. Carefully, I began to maneuver over, adjusting my grip and positioning my feet for bnce.


    Finally, I managed to hang on the board, peering out over the cubicle. Just as I had suspected, no one else was around. The culprit had jammed a broom against my cubicle door, ensuring it stayed shut no matter how hard I pushed.


    Anger red within me. Whoever was responsible for this would regret it if I ever found them.


    Taking a steadying breath, I prepared to climb down. But as I shifted my weight, my foot slipped on the damp surface. My heart leapt into my throat as I lost my bnce and started to fall backward.


    “Shit!”


    A scream tore from my lips as I braced myself for the inevitable, imagining the harsh impact of the cold, unforgiving floor.


    But instead of pain, I felt myselfnding in something—or rather, someone—soft and warm.


    Who had saved me?


    Slowly, I opened my eyes, and my heart skipped a beat.


    Dominic was holding me securely in his arms.


    .


    .


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