Veterinary Intrusion

Lauren darted toward the door marked VETERINARY, her bare feet cold on the tile. The moat's chill water had stripped away most of the yak hair and honey, leaving only scattered clumps clinging to her skin like pathetic islands on her pale, exposed body. No one could mistake her for Coco now—she was just a naked, shivering woman, her petite frame fully revealed under the harsh lights.

She twisted the knob; unlocked. Slipping inside, she shut the door softly, leaning against it with a gasp. The room smelled of antiseptic and hay—cages lined one wall, medical supplies the other. A steel exam table gleamed in the center, surrounded by cabinets and a sink. Rummaging through drawers, her hands trembled. Clippers, bandages, syringes—but no clothes.

Lauren bolted to the sink, twisting the faucet. Water gushed; she splashed her face, scrubbing at the remaining fur clumps with frantic hands. The honey residue dissolved, but the hair stuck stubbornly in places, pulling painfully as she tugged. Naked under the fluorescents, she caught her reflection again—reddened skin, wild eyes, looking more like a escaped patient than a zoo visitor. Humiliation surged; what if someone walked in now?

She grabbed a bottle of animal shampoo from the shelf—foamy, vet-grade stuff—and lathered up, rinsing quickly. Bubbles swirled down the drain, carrying away the last evidence of her ape disguise. But the shampoo's scent was overpowering, like wet dog mixed with citrus. Great, now she smelled like a groomed pet.

Dripping, she snatched paper towels from a dispenser, patting dry as best she could. No real towels, no clothes. Her body glistened, exposed and ****. Spotting a first-aid kit, she rifled through: bandages, gauze. ****, she wrapped gauze around her chest and hips like a makeshift bikini. It was thin, see-through when wet, but better than nothing. Still, it felt ridiculous, barely covering her.

A knock echoed on the door. Lauren's blood ran cold.

She could hid in the cage.

She could also try to run through the window in the back, hoping its not locked.