Bailey's day at the gym

Bailey stepped out of the steamy shower, her skin flushed from the warmth and the exertion of her workout. The scent of fresh body wash clung to her, mingling with the faint, lingering smell of chlorine from the gym's pool. She reached for her towel, wrapping it around her body, its soft cotton a comforting contrast to the cold, tiled floor beneath her feet. Her muscles ached pleasantly, a reminder of the intensity she’d pushed herself through. As she made her way toward the lockers, her bare feet echoed in the quiet, the hustle of the gym now a distant hum. She tugged at her damp hair, squeezing out the excess water as her thoughts drifted. It had been a good workout—challenging, but it left her with that satisfying sense of accomplishment. She could already feel the soreness setting in, but it was the kind she’d come to expect, the kind that told her she’d done something worthwhile. The locker room was calm now, a few others finishing up their routines, and Bailey smiled to herself, content in the simplicity of the moment.

Bailey squinted as she walked, her vision blurry without her glasses. She had never liked relying on them, but the short walk to the lockers didn’t seem worth the trouble of putting them on. She was sure she’d be fine. As she approached a door, she pushed it open, expecting to step into the familiar locker room. But as soon as she entered, she felt the change. The air was different—brighter, cooler—and there was a slight breeze that carried with it an unpleasant scent. Bailey furrowed her brow, instinctively inhaling deeply. The sharp, foul stench of garbage hit her nose, instantly making her stomach turn.

She froze, her mind catching up with the shift in atmosphere, and it dawned on her. She hadn’t walked into the locker room. She had wandered straight into an alleyway outside. Panic shot through her as she glanced around, trying to make sense of the dim, cluttered surroundings. The walls of the gym were now a distant memory, replaced by trash bags and a narrow path leading toward the street. Before she could react, the door behind her clicked shut with a soft, final sound. Bailey spun around, reaching for the handle, but it was already too late. She was stuck, trapped in the alley with no clear way back inside.