She resists

The threat hung in the air, clear and sharp as a knife’s edge. Magi held her breath, feeling rage, helplessness, and shame coil in her throat into an unyielding knot. Trapped. Always trapped. Between the humiliation of being seen again and the panic of losing her job on only her second day. A brief, sharp sob escaped her, then another. And then, she couldn't take it anymore. Tears flowed silently, mixing with the water from the aquarium that still ran down her face, salty and hot against her cold skin. She lowered her head, defeated, and let it all rain down.

May watched Magi's uncontrollable trembling, her ragged breathing, and the way she shrank into herself, trying to become invisible. For an instant, something in his severe expression softened. It wasn't true empathy, but a flash of pragmatic compassion.

"It's alright," May said in a lower, almost conspiratorial tone. "I'm not going to force you to go in like this. I'll get you something to cover yourself with."

Magi looked up, a mix of relief and distrust in her eyes. The relief vanished as quickly as it had come when May added:

"But you'll owe me a favor. And I'll collect it soon."

Magi swallowed. That phrase sounded like a poisoned promise. But the panic of the present was stronger than the fear of the future. She nodded quickly, wanting to end the situation immediately.

"Yes... yes, whatever. Thank you."

May nodded and walked toward a metal locker at the back of the surface. Magi remained there, standing, dripping, feeling the echo of their gazes as if they were still on her.

When May returned, he held something small in his hands. It wasn't a towel. It wasn't a robe. It was...