Samantha Uncontrolled

[mcenf]

Each step was an internal struggle, my mind screaming to escape while my body reacted rebelliously, intensifying my shame. The unwanted excitement mixed with embarrassment, creating a storm of confusing emotions. Going down the stairs naked, feeling that dampness between my thighs, was self-inflicted torture, further proof of my loss of control.

The cold of the staircase intensified with each step, as if I were descending into an even colder and more hostile place. My bare feet stuck to the cold, rough cement, and my breathing was so shallow that I seemed to be in a constant state of suffocation. Just one more step. Another one. You can't stay here. I repeated those words to myself over and over, trying to calm down, but my body wasn't responding.

Sticking to the wall, I tried to make myself smaller, as if I could merge with it and disappear from the sight of anyone who might be nearby. This isn't happening. This isn't happening, I told myself, but the chill running through my skin was too real to ignore.

Finally, I reached the sixth-floor landing. I knew exactly which floor it was, not only because of the sign on the wall indicating it, but also because of the sudden change in the air. It was colder, much colder. Every breath hurt, and I could feel the icy air seeping between my arms clutched against my chest. This is just the hallway. Inside the server rooms, it must be worse, I thought with a shiver that wasn't just physical.

I cautiously poked my head through the slightly open door, just enough to see the sixth-floor hallway. It was the server area, with its bright white lights and the constant echo of the machines' buzzing. Although I couldn't see inside the rooms from my position, my mind drew a clear picture: the glass doors with metal frames, the flashing lights of the racks, and the air conditioning constantly blowing to keep the servers running at optimal temperatures.

Tomorrow I'll have to be here working... but dressed. Comfortably dressed. I clung to that idea, as if it were a rope keeping me connected to sanity. A sweater, warm pants, maybe even a scarf. Anything to fight this glacial cold. But the thought made me shudder even more, because now I was completely naked, exposed to the hostile environment of the staircase.

My feet, numb from the cold cement, barely responded. What if the technicians are still here? What if they come out right now? I tried to force my mind to imagine that they were probably having lunch with the rest of the employees, enjoying the restaurant's special offer, but uncertainty was a shadow I couldn't dispel.

From below, Carla's voice broke the silence. "Hurry up, Sam! Lucas says it's all clear. Just go down to the fifth floor." Her tone was playful but filled with fun, as if she knew exactly what was going through my mind.

Clear. That word again. It offered no guarantees, but it was all I had. I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and took a step towards the stairs leading to the fifth floor. My body was trembling so much that I thought I would collapse at any moment, but I knew I had no choice. One more floor.

I went down the stairs to the fifth floor, feeling like an actress trapped in a horror movie with each step. My body was trembling, the cold of the metal handrail on my fingers was like a constant reminder of my vulnerability. All of this seemed too surreal, as if I were trapped in a nightmare.

This can't be happening, I thought as I tried to pinch my arm. The slight pain was like a direct hit to my reality. I'm not dreaming. This is real. It's absolutely real. My steps became more cautious as I descended, as if a single careless move could trigger a disaster.

Upon reaching the fifth-floor landing, I saw Carla below, still talking on the phone with Lucas. Carla looked up at me and, with a gesture of her hand, indicated that I should go down. Her movements were quick and decisive, but just as I got closer, she frantically waved her hands, signaling me to go back up.

What's happening now? I immediately backed up, my bare feet hitting the steps with a clumsy and hurried rhythm. I feel like a puppet. Ridiculous, completely ridiculous. Shame bubbled inside me, increasing with every move I made, as if I had no control over my own body.

Then, I heard Carla's voice resonating in the fifth-floor hallway. "Hi, Sandra! How are you?" Carla's tone was friendly, but my heart started beating faster. Sandra? Is Sandra here? I stuck to the wall in the stairs, out of sight, trying to control my breathing to make no noise.

"Hi, Carla. I'm fine, thanks. Are you coming from the sixth floor?" Sandra asked curiously, her voice getting a bit closer. My stomach sank at those words. Oh no. She can't go to the sixth floor. She can't.

"Yes, I was there a while ago, but there's no one. They're all at lunch," Carla replied with a smile that I could imagine from my hiding place. "Why? Do you need something?"

"Yes, I have to look for Julio, but if there's no one..." Sandra seemed to hesitate, her voice becoming more thoughtful.

"I assure you that you won't find him there. He must be at the restaurant. Maybe you'll find him there," Carla said naturally, as if she knew perfectly how to divert Sandra's attention. My breath stopped for a moment, waiting to hear if Sandra accepted the suggestion.

"Ah, perfect. Thanks, Carla. I'll wait for him to come back." Sandra's voice started to move away, and my tense muscles finally relaxed a bit.

Carla came up the stairs towards me with a funny expression. "Lucas wanted to play a joke on you, I thought there was no one here," she murmured while holding the phone close to her ear, her tone full of mockery.

My heart was still racing. I can't believe that even he's having fun with me. How far will this madness go? I slowly poked my head to make sure Sandra wasn't coming back, and although I couldn't see her, the fear was trapped in my chest. It was as if every person who crossed my path was a potential threat to my dignity, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

I moved forward and saw the closed door of my office on the fifth floor, and the familiarity of the place hit me like a wave. There it was, so close yet so unreachable. My space, my desk, and me without clothes... everything that represented my professionalism and dignity, locked in Valeria's office. But I couldn't stop; every second lost here increased the risk of being discovered.

If someone sees me... I'm screwed, I thought, feeling how the knot in my stomach tightened even more. I looked at Carla, who kept moving calmly as if she were enjoying a walk in the park. Her confidence brutally contrasted with my panic. My steps were fast, clumsy, and every now and then I turned to make sure no one was following us. My hands kept covering my body, though they did nothing to alleviate the feeling of total exposure.

Carla slightly turned her head, and in a low tone but loud enough for me to hear, she said, "Go down to the fourth floor. Come on, Samy, there's no one around now."

The fourth floor. Testing and Quality Control Labs. Hardware and software labs. Simulation rooms. I've worked on that floor before, supervising some integrations. Normally, going down there on a workday was routine, part of my tasks, but now... now it was a terrifying idea. Just imagining entering that area naked made every fiber of my being scream in protest.

What if someone sees me there? What if one of the engineers finds me like this? I could never face them again. I'd die of shame, I thought, feeling how my chest tightened with anxiety.

I descended the last steps to the fourth floor, sticking as close as possible to the wall. My bare feet barely made noise on the steps, but every movement seemed loud and evident to me. Carla kept going ahead calmly, the phone in her hand, waiting for the next signal from Lucas. While I, behind her, trembled with each step, my arms around my body in a futile attempt to feel smaller, more invisible.

The fourth floor was as silent as the others, but that didn't comfort me. I knew that this floor wasn't empty. There are always technicians working in the simulation rooms or checking the systems in the labs. Going through there in my state was a huge risk, one that I didn't even want to imagine.

Carla signaled me to stay still while she went down a bit more, exploring the area. My heart was beating so hard that I feared she could hear it from where she was. I curled up on the landing of the stairs, breathing with difficulty and trying to calm the panic that was taking over me.

After a moment that seemed eternal, Carla returned, with a reassuring smile that only made me feel more vulnerable. "All clear, Samy. Let's go to the elevator now. It's time."

I swallowed, my legs trembling, but I knew I had no other option. I took a breath and left my corner, sticking to the walls again while following Carla. I'm so far from my clothes, so far from everything that makes me feel safe. I'm completely exposed, a constant reminder of my vulnerability. The skin of my arms was goose bumps, my heart pounding, and the cold of the floor under my bare feet only increased my discomfort. Carla kept going ahead, confident, while I struggled to keep moving.

Finally, we reached the elevator. Carla pressed the button, and the slight sound of the mechanism activating made me jump. This was the last step before reaching the parking lot. But even as I waited for the doors to open, my mind kept imagining the worst. What if someone appeared? What if the elevator doors opened and there was someone inside?

Stepping into the elevator completely naked, during work hours, was undoubtedly the worst thing I had ever done in my life. Despite Carla seeming absolutely sure that the elevator was empty, thanks to Lucas's instructions, I couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was a trap waiting to be activated. There was something about Lucas, that hidden laughter in his messages, and that apparent amusement at my humiliation, that made me doubt. If he wanted to, he could trick us. He could tell us it's safe when it's not, and... I'd be ruined.

Carla poked her head in and glanced inside the elevator before turning towards me with a wide smile. "Empty, Samy. Come on, we're almost there."

My legs were trembling so much that I could barely move. Nonetheless, I forced myself to step forward, each step a torment while my body seemed to resist the idea of entering. As I crossed the elevator doors, my reflection in the mirrors hit me with the force of a slap.

There I was, my body completely exposed, in contrast to Carla, who stood next to me with all the confidence her professional attire and mocking smile gave her. She was well-dressed, her clothes perfectly ironed, and heels that resonated with elegance against the elevator floor. She was the personification of formality and composure. I, on the other hand, was a spectacle of absolute vulnerability.

I instinctively shrunk, my arms trying to cover what I could, but the image in the mirror only showed me how ineffective that posture was. My eyes scanned my own reflection, and I felt the knot in my throat tighten even more. How is it possible that I'm here, naked, surrounded by mirrors that only amplify my humiliation?

"Which floor do you want to go to, Samy?" Carla asked, with a tone that was clearly filled with mockery. Her eyes sparkled as she pretended to press random buttons, lighting up the numbers on the panel. "What do you think about the lobby? We could go down and greet everyone. Can you imagine Martina's face if she saw you like this?"

My heart flipped, and a sudden dizziness made me lean against the metal wall of the elevator. "N-no..." I murmured, unable to articulate much more. Panic completely took over me. The idea of the elevator stopping at the lobby, where the reception was always active and full of employees, made me feel like my breath was stopping.

Carla burst into laughter and, before finally pressing the P1 parking button. "Relax, Samy, you wouldn't survive two seconds in the lobby, although it would be very funny to take you there. But hey, don't worry, we're going straight to the parking lot."

The movement of the elevator starting its descent made me close my eyes tightly. Every fiber of my being begged for no one on any floor to press the button to call it. I was trapped in this metal box, with no escape, with nothing to protect me from the outside world if the doors opened in the wrong place.

I felt how sweat started to accumulate in my hands while my mind played out all the worst possible scenarios. What if someone calls the elevator from the third floor? What if it stops on the second and fills up with employees returning from lunch? What will I do if...? Oh, there's no space to hide here, I'll die of shame.

Every second of that ride was a torture. I could feel my heart beating in my ears, and every little sound of the elevator mechanism made me jump. Carla, on the other hand, was very calm, leaning against the wall with an expression of absolute entertainment.

"You know, Samy," she finally said, breaking the silence. "I don't know how you do it to keep going. I'd already be crying and in a state of absolute panic."

I wanted to tell her that's exactly how I felt, but my throat was dry. I could only cling to the wall, praying for the elevator to reach P1 without stopping. Every second seemed to stretch like an eternity while the lights of the buttons descended slowly, one by one.

Finally, the elevator arrived at P1 with a soft beep, and Carla, as expected, stepped out first. Her gaze calmly scanned the parking lot while she kept the phone to her ear, following Lucas's instructions. Seeing that it was clear, she turned towards me and indicated with a hand gesture that I should move forward.

My bare feet touched the concrete floor, and a cold sensation ran through my body. The echo of Carla's few steps resonated in the enormous space, amplifying the oppressive silence of the parking lot. This place is packed with cars... everyone came to work today. Why do they have to make it so difficult? I swallowed, feeling my throat closing. Valeria was ahead, leaning against a vehicle with her phone in her hand. She looked up as she saw me leaving the elevator, and a smirk appeared on her face.

"It took you quite a while, Samy," Valeria said disdainfully, not bothering to hide her amusement. "I thought you had gotten lost. Although, of course, it would be easy to find you running naked through the office, right?" Her sarcastic tone cut through me like a sharp blade.

Does she have any idea of the effort I've made to get here? Every step was a torment, every second a struggle against fear and humiliation. I don't expect her to congratulate me, but at least she could show some understanding, however minimal. However, those words never left my lips. Instead, I lowered my gaze, unable to confront her eyes full of amusement. What did I expect? A congratulation? Of course not.

Carla walked a bit further, scanning the area once more before turning towards me. "Come on, Samy. It's clear, but not for long."

I took a deep breath, feeling every cell in my body protesting as I took the first step out of the elevator. I moved forward, crouching, trying to stay as close as possible to the parked cars. My bare feet made a subtle noise as they touched the concrete, but in the immensity of the parking lot, those sounds seemed to multiply. The air was cold and dry, and each step reminded me of how exposed I was. Every movement is like an announcement of my vulnerability. I just need to reach the car... that's all. Just the car.

Valeria, without taking her eyes off her phone, watched me with a relaxed gaze. I could feel her stare on every inch of my skin, analyzing, enjoying my discomfort. My skin prickled even more under her scrutiny, and a burning heat rose to my face, despite the cold of the place.

The parking lot, although seemingly empty, was full of vehicles, a visual reminder of how many employees were in the building that day. Each column I came across seemed to offer less protection than I hoped, and the path to the car seemed like an endless maze.

Suddenly, a sound broke the silence. A voice. My body tensed like a spring as I saw an employee appear from a corner. My eyes widened, and my mind started spinning frantically. No, no, no. This isn't happening. Not now.

Carla reacted quickly, walking towards the man with a wide smile. "Hey, Martin! How are you? How was lunch?"

The man seemed surprised to see her there, but his expression soon softened. "Good, Carla. It was good. What are you doing down here?"

"Oh, you know, last-minute errands, I think I'll have to go to the bank. Oh, by the way, did you hear about the change in the server room project? I think you'll be interested..." Carla continued talking to him, leading him to the side while keeping him distracted.

I took the opportunity and threw myself behind the nearest car, curling up as if I could disappear. My heart was beating so fast that I could barely hear anything else. This is crazy. It's impossible. My breath was rapid and shallow as I struggled to maintain control. The cold concrete under my feet seemed to absorb the little warmth I had left, and the distant echo of Carla's conversation was the only sign that I hadn't been discovered yet.

Valeria, for her part, made no effort to help. From her spot, she gave me a look that seemed to say: What are you going to do now?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Carla finished the conversation, and the man walked away in the opposite direction. Carla turned towards me, still holding the phone. "Come on, Samy. The way is clear again."

With a knot in my stomach and a cold sweat running down my back, I forced myself to stand and keep moving, always with the feeling that someone else could appear at any moment. The car was closer now, but each step seemed like an insurmountable challenge. A few more meters. Just a few more meters...

My steps quickened towards the SUV I always drove, as if that simple action could end this nightmare. I reached the vehicle and pulled on the door handle, but it didn't budge. I tried a second time, pulling harder, and the car emitted an annoying warning beep that made me jump back. What the hell...?

"It can't be!" I muttered to myself, panic settling in my chest. I tried to open it again, but my hand froze as I remembered that sound was a warning. If I tried again, the car alarm would go off, alerting anyone in the parking lot.

"Are you an idiot, Samy?" Valeria's voice echoed in the silence of the parking lot, making my heart shrink. She was next to her car, with Carla already settled in the passenger seat. "How do you plan to get into the car? Did you bring the keys in your pockets?"

Keys? My pockets? Instinctively, I looked down. All I saw were my naked, exposed thighs, as vulnerable as I felt at that moment. I had no pockets, no keys, nothing. All my belongings were still locked in Valeria's desk drawer, out of my reach, I don't know what I was thinking.

"Come on, Samy, we don't have all day," Valeria said as she got in and started her car, a sleek, shiny black compact that looked like a jewel under the cold lights of the parking lot. Carla, settled in her seat, laughed softly as she checked something on her phone. "If you don't get in now, we'll leave you here."

The knot in my throat grew as I considered the implications of her words. Abandoned here? Like this? No. I can't. But I couldn't ignore the humiliation of getting into their car in this state, either.

"Come on, Samy!" Valeria shouted, and then honked her car horn. The sound reverberated in the empty parking lot, making me instinctively cover myself with my arms and let out a small squeak. Valeria and Carla's laughter filled the air, and I felt like a toy in their hands, a puppet they manipulated at will.

Finally, my bare feet moved, my quick steps resonating against the cold concrete as I ran towards the car. Just do it, just get in and end this. I opened the door and slid inside, quickly closing it behind me. I curled up in the back seat, hiding as best I could in the cramped space, my body hunched as if I could disappear.

"That's better," Valeria said with a satisfied smile as she started the car and drove out of the parking lot.

The sound of the tires on the pavement was the only thing that filled the silence as my mind kept repeating one thought: How am I going to handle this?

The engine purred softly as the car moved through the streets. I was still curled up in the back seat, feeling every vibration through my bare skin. Carla and Valeria chatted animatedly, their voices light as if this were an ordinary ride. For me, it was anything but.

Valeria rolled down the driver's window a bit and let in a warm gust of outside air, only to sigh exaggeratedly. "It's hot, don't you think, Carla?"

"Yes, too hot," Carla replied with a complicit smile as she adjusted her blouse collar.

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Hot? It's freezing in here. How can they...? But before I finished my thought, Valeria reached for the air conditioning control panel and turned it up to the max.

The cold hit my skin like a million needles. I couldn't help but shiver as the air enveloped me. My already vulnerable body now shook uncontrollably. Why are they doing this? Why do they enjoy my discomfort so much?

"Ah, much better," Valeria said with a satisfaction that made my stomach churn. "Nothing like cold air to clear the mind."

Carla laughed softly, looking at me through the rearview mirror. "Yes, Samy, you should thank her. It's a luxury to travel with Valeria, don't you think?"

I didn't respond, I just tried to stay more hidden in the small space of the back seat. But Valeria, as always, didn't let me find a moment of peace.

"Samy, straighten up," she suddenly ordered, her tone firm and sharp. "Put on your seatbelt. What if there's an accident? Do you want to go flying?"

"I'm... I'm fine like this," I whispered, but my voice was barely a whisper.

"That wasn't a question," Valeria replied, turning her head slightly to look at me. Her tone left no room for discussion.

With trembling hands and my heart beating like a drum, I slowly straightened up. Every movement was torture; the feeling of the cold seatbelt buckle touching my skin made me clench my teeth. I made sure to sit as straight as possible, with my back against the seat, but without stopping covering myself with my crossed arms.

"No, no, no," Valeria said with a touch of mockery in her voice. "No hiding. Lower your arms."

"Valeria, please..." my voice was barely audible, a weak attempt at protest.

"Lower. Your. Arms," she repeated, emphasizing each word.

With an unbearable weight in my chest, I let my arms fall to my sides. My goosebumps were evident under the icy breeze of the air conditioning, and my hands trembled slightly with tension. Carla watched me in the rearview mirror with a playful smile, as if this were a show designed solely for her entertainment.

With a sense of defeat, I let my arms fall to my sides, exposing my body even more to the cold breeze of the air conditioning. My skin, covered in goosebumps, revealed every detail, every curve, and muscle tone. My nipples, hardened by the cold and tension, stood erect as witnesses to my vulnerability, pointing towards the roof of the car.

My abdomen, normally flat and firm, now tensed with each breath, each muscle outlined under the prickly skin. The sensation of the cold air on my bare skin was like a punishment, intensifying my awareness of every inch of my exposed body.

My legs, long and slightly toned, trembled slightly, revealing the tension I felt in every fiber. Every muscle, from my tense arms to my calves, was defined and exposed, as if my body were a living sculpture, an exhibition of my strength and vulnerability at the same time.

Carla, observing my reaction in the rearview mirror, smiled with amusement. For her, my exposure was a spectacle, a source of entertainment on this journey that had become my own frozen nightmare.

"Okay, now that you're comfortable," Valeria said with an irony that cut like a razor, "tell me how to get to Megan's school. I don't want to use the GPS, I want clear instructions. Come on, be useful for once."

Panic mixed with humiliation. Give directions? Like this? While I feel exposed and frozen? I swallowed hard and forced my mind to remember the route. Every word that came out of my mouth was a challenge because I felt that speaking only intensified my shame.

"Take... take the next right," I finally said, my voice breaking.

"That simple?" Valeria laughed as she turned the steering wheel. "Please, Samy, be more specific. How far is it? Tell me something nearby."

"Near... near El Refugio Park," I whispered, trying to stay calm. The cold air kept hitting me, and my teeth started to chatter slightly.

Valeria and Carla continued to joke between themselves, as if my discomfort didn't exist. This can't be real. This can't be happening. I tried to imagine myself somewhere else, at my desk, with my professional clothes and my daily routine. But the cold I felt on my skin and the pressure of the seatbelt reminded me that this was painfully real.

Every time Carla looked at me in the rearview mirror, her eyes sparkled with malicious fun. "Hey, Valeria, I think she's trying to make you take the road less traveled. You should take a different route; I want this ride to last a little longer."

"No, please..." I whispered, but my voice got stuck in my throat, inaudible to them. I could only close my eyes and pray for this to end soon, as the car continued towards a destination that seemed farther and farther away.

The car moved along the main avenues, and my breathing quickened with each passing minute. Panic filled me like air trapped in a balloon, ready to burst. I tried to curl up more in the back seat, but I knew I had nowhere to hide. Can they see me from outside? No, of course not... or can they?

My eyes looked at the car windows, seeking any clue that would assure me they were dark enough to hide me. The reflection of the buildings as we passed distorted my perception, and every time a pedestrian or a car drove by, I felt a chill down my spine. Did they see me?

The car took a gentle turn, and then I saw it: El Refugio Park. It was a spacious and serene place, with gravel paths and large trees offering shade to the scattered benches. The bright-colored flowers and well-kept grass gave it a peaceful air, but I couldn't feel any calm. Students with backpacks crossed the park, some laughing together, others looking at their phones as they walked home. Their immaculate uniforms contrasted with my reality.

Oh my God, they're so close... if only they knew I was here naked... My mind couldn't stop imagining what would happen if someone looked directly at the car. Although I knew it was unlikely that someone would stop to observe in detail, the thought was enough to make my chest tighten even more.

"Relax, Samy," Valeria said from the driver's seat, without bothering to look at me. Her tone was light, almost mocking. "We're almost there, aren't we? You're lucky no one has seen you."

How can she be so calm? Doesn't she understand what's at stake for me? My hands trembled as I tried to cover myself as best I could, but the seatbelt made it even more difficult.

Five minutes later, the car arrived at Megan's school entrance. The bustle was palpable even inside the car. Dozens of students came out of the main doors, some in groups, others alone, all immersed in their own world. The sound of their conversations and laughter seemed to amplify in my mind, like a crowd pointing directly at me.

Valeria stopped the car and turned to Carla with a smile. "Go get Megan. She probably doesn't know we're here since she won't see her mom's SUV."

Carla nodded, laughing lightly as she opened the car door. "Sure, I'll be right back. Don't have too much fun without me." Her comment was a poison disguised as a joke, and I felt it deeply.

When the door closed and Carla disappeared into the crowd, I was left alone with Valeria. My heart was about to jump out of my chest, and my eyes couldn't move away from the students on the other side of the window. I curled up into a ball as best I could, hiding my face between my knees, wishing to be invisible.

"Why so tense, Samy?" Valeria asked, with a contained laugh in her voice. "It's not like I'm forcing you to get out of the car now... or am I?"

Her words were like a needle, piercing my fragile calm. I couldn't help but let out a small moan of desperation, which seemed to amuse her even more. This can't be happening. She can't ask me to get out of the car while I'm naked.

The minutes passed slowly as I glanced at her sideways. Valeria was checking her phone, completely relaxed, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. On the contrary, I felt like a mouse caught in a trap, waiting for the next blow.

The wait seemed endless. Where is Carla? Why is she taking so long? The bustle outside continued, and every laugh or shout from the students made me shrink further. The cold air conditioning kept hitting my skin, but it was nothing compared to the fire of shame burning within me.

"Here they come," Valeria said with a mix of boredom and amusement in her voice, looking through the rearview mirror. "Although it looks like Megan is coming with someone else."

My eyes instinctively rose, and the air seemed to freeze in my lungs. Walking alongside Megan and Carla was Julia. My thoughts raced through my mind like an out-of-control train. No. No, it can't be. Not her.

Julia was Megan's classmate. She had been present at the Thursday event in the office, and up until that moment, she saw me as a professional and very responsible person; that was the image she had of me. Now, seeing her approaching the car made me feel like the world was crumbling under my feet.

My gaze momentarily shifted to some bushes in the distance. For an instant, I thought I saw a girl hiding behind them. Amy? It was hard to tell, but the hunched figure and nervous posture reminded me too much of her. However, before I could analyze it further, Megan's voice broke my concentration.

"Julia, come on!" Megan shouted, running towards the car with a light step. Julia followed behind calmly, carrying a backpack slung over one shoulder and another in her other hand. Her walk radiated confidence, as always, and on her face was a light smile that seemed unmoved by anything.

However, that smile quickly disappeared when her eyes fell inside the car. Her step faltered for a moment, her eyebrows rose, and then she hurried to catch up with Megan and Carla, now clearly interested in what she saw.

Carla opened the car's rear door, and the sound of her laughter filled the space like a storm. "Megan, I have a surprise for you, you have to see this!" she said, pointing at me as if I were a circus spectacle.

Megan leaned in to look, and her eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and fun. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, laughing out loud as she pointed at me with a finger. "Julia, you have to see this!"

Julia's face slowly transformed as she processed what she saw. Her eyes widened, and her smile twisted into something that wavered between disbelief and amusement. "Is, your cousin, for real?" she asked, her tone filled with astonishment.

My face burned as if it were on fire, and my body contracted in the back seat. I tried to cover myself as best I could, but the seatbelt and lack of space made it difficult. This can't be happening. This can't be happening.

"Look at her curling up!" Carla laughed, lightly hitting Megan on the shoulder. "It's like she thinks she can disappear."

"She has nowhere to go, though if she wants, I'll make her get out of the car," Valeria added from the driver's seat, her tone almost cruel that pierced me like a dagger.

Julia got into the car, still laughing, and looked at me as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Wow, Sam. I never thought I'd see you... like this." Her words were like acid, burning me from the inside out as I tried to stay as hidden as possible.

Megan took a seat next to her, while Julia, still with both backpacks hanging from her shoulders, leaned slightly forward to get a better look at Sam. Her eyes widened in surprise, but soon a smile began to form on her face. "How did you get her to come naked? Do you have her clothes in the car?" she asked incredulously, looking at Valeria and Carla.

Carla burst out laughing and crossed her arms triumphantly. "Oh, no, no. Her clothes are perfectly safe... in Valeria's office." Her tone was loaded with fun as Megan burst out laughing at this. "We made her come like this straight from the office. Isn't it great? It was quite an adventure, right Samy?" she added, clearly enjoying the situation, while I lowered my head in embarrassment.

Julia shook her head, incredulous but clearly having fun as well. "This is crazy! I can't believe she came out like this. How did you prevent her from being caught naked at work?" Her comment provoked another round of laughter among the girls.

"God, naked at work," Megan repeated with a sarcastic smile. "I imagine you did it with the help of Carla's friend who works with the security cameras."

The laughter inside the car continued to echo, each comment more hurtful than the previous one. As I tried to curl up in the back seat, Carla closed the passenger door and fastened her seatbelt with a playful smile on her face.

"By the way, Julia," she said, looking back from her seat, "whose backpack is that? I didn't know you came to school with two."

Julia let out a light laugh, as if the question seemed absurdly entertaining to her. "Oh, this isn't mine," she said, holding it up like a trophy. "It's Amy's."

My eyes widened at the mention of that name. Amy? My stomach twisted instantly, and a wave of concern washed over me. I knew what these girls were capable of, but this was... What have they done now?

"Amy? I don't remember her," Carla repeated, with a tone of feigned surprise. "And why are you carrying her backpack?"

Julia smiled in a way that made my skin crawl. "Well, she's our classmate, and we make her run naked whenever we want, so this isn't just her backpack. Here are all her things: her uniform, her phone, her keys... everything." She shook the backpack to emphasize her point.

"Ah, yes," Megan added from the seat next to Julia. "We gave Amy a challenge, didn't we, Julia? Now she's completely... trapped, let's say. She has to leave school as she is and find this backpack in El Refugio Park." Megan turned to me with a malicious smile. "Isn't it exciting, Samy? I'm sure Amy is enjoying it as much as you are right now."

Panic hit me like a wave. Amy at school... completely naked and vulnerable? I remembered the scared figure I had seen hiding behind the bushes as we passed through the park. Now everything made sense. That was indeed Amy, and she was in the same humiliating situation I was in.

"And who's going to leave the backpack in the park?" Carla asked, clearly entertained by the situation. "You, Julia?"

"Well, that was the initial plan," Julia replied indifferently, placing the backpack on her lap. "I was supposed to hide it somewhere in the park and stay close to make sure no one else took it. But... now that I'm here..." Her gaze fell on me, and her lips curved into a mocking smile. "I think I'd rather go to the office with you guys. I want to see more of this." She gestured towards me as if I were an exhibit in a museum.

Megan burst out laughing. "And what about Amy? Are you going to leave her like that?"

Julia shrugged. "Amy is smarter than she looks. I'm sure she'll find a way to solve her problem... eventually."

As the girls laughed and continued to joke, my mind was elsewhere. Fear and shame enveloped me like a thick fog, but what truly terrified me was the idea of Amy facing the same humiliation I was going through. How can they be so cruel? How can they enjoy someone else's suffering so much?

"Brave friend, but maybe we could drive through the park and make Samy get out of the car to leave the backpack where she thinks Amy can find it, don't you think?" Carla commented with a malicious smile, while Valeria nodded and started the car's engine with a satisfied expression.

I opened my eyes wide, feeling as if the air had been taken from my lungs. Go to the park? Naked? My thoughts swirled in my mind, each one more desperate than the previous one. I knew what it meant for Amy to be without her backpack with her clothes inside, but the mere idea of going to a public place completely naked was terrifying; the risk of being seen by strangers was too high.

"No, I can't do that," I murmured quickly, my voice trembling as I hugged myself, as if that could protect me from the girls' inquisitive gaze. "It's... impossible. I... can't get out of the car like this."

"Really, Samy?" Carla turned in her seat to look at me directly, one eyebrow raised in a gesture of feigned surprise. "Just like you couldn't get out of the office? Or cross the parking lot? Come on, you did it before. A little more effort won't change anything."

"Besides," Megan added from the back seat, as she played with Amy's backpack, "if you don't do it, what's left for Amy? She'll be completely... naked and unprotected on the street, she doesn't live close to school." Her emphasis on that last word sent a chill down my spine.

My lips parted to protest, but nothing came out. Amy... I thought. The image of her hiding in the bushes, her face full of fear, appeared in my mind. I knew how she felt in that position, and although the girls clearly enjoyed this situation at my expense, it was also true that Amy had no choice if she didn't get her backpack.

"Come on, Sam," Valeria said with a tone that mixed impatience and mockery as she maneuvered the car towards the park. "Be a good citizen. It's the least you can do, don't you think?"

Every word was a direct hit to my pride, but what hurt the most was the feeling of having no other option. I couldn't let Amy be left abandoned. At the same time, I knew that to do so, I would have to endure the unimaginable.

"Okay," I finally said, my voice barely a whisper. My heart was beating so hard I felt it could explode at any moment. This is madness. Complete madness.

"That's the attitude!" Carla exclaimed with feigned enthusiasm, as if this were a game. Megan let out a laugh and held the backpack high. "Here you go, Samy. Your special mission. Just make sure you hide it in a place where Amy can find it, okay?"

I wanted to scream at them, tell them how much I hated them and myself for agreeing, but I only weakly nodded. Every kilometer that brought us closer to the park was like a sentence of humiliation I couldn't avoid.

We'll be there soon, I thought, feeling every part of my body tense with anticipation. My hands were sweating, my bare feet trembling on the car floor, and a knot of terror settled in my stomach. This is a nightmare. A complete nightmare.

[Debbifan]

I know some readers may be put off by the time that needs to be invested in reading such long chapters but I for one am enjoying it enormously. Delighted to see Julia now on the scene and we have the seeds sown for 'babysitting' Megan while Beatriz is away, as well as the work with Valeria and Carla in the systems room !

[Hooked6]

These latest chapters were marvelous (by the way, for the record, I LOVE long chapters!) I especially loved Chapters 14 and 15! The tension was superb and the possibility of Amy and Sam meeting naked in that public park is very exciting indeed.

I also love the fact that Sam has to "babysit" Megan for several days while her mom is out of town is too brilliant to describe. I am really looking forward to the next chapters.

Hooked6

[mcenf]

My eyes scanned the park from inside the car, as I huddled in the back seat. The place wasn't too big, but it also wasn't small enough for me to feel safe crossing it without being seen. To my left in the distance, a couple of kids were playing on the grass, throwing a brightly colored ball back and forth. In the background, I noticed a few students walking slowly towards their homes, backpacks hanging from their shoulders. And over there, on one of the benches, a couple of adults were chatting peacefully, their laughter traveling in the warm air. There isn't much people... but it's enough to ruin everything if someone sees me.

My hands trembled as I clutched my arms against my body. I can't get out. I can't do it. The idea of walking through that park, completely naked, while students and adults strolled peacefully, made me feel nauseous.

"Samy, get out now," Carla ordered impatiently. From the passenger seat, she opened her door and quickly walked towards my side, rounding the car. She stopped next to my door, knocking on it with the palm of her hand. "Come on, take advantage of the fact that there aren't many people in the park. Do it quickly before someone sees you."

Before I could process her demand, Valeria intervened from the driver's seat, briefly starting the car's engine. "She's right, Samy. Get out once and for all. If you don't do it soon, you're going to be left here alone, and I doubt that's what you want."

I swallowed, looking at Carla. "I think I'll get out for a while," said Julia, lifting Amy's backpack from her lap. "I'd like to record how she does it."

"I'm coming too," Megan added with a mocking laugh, adjusting the camera on her phone. "I want to watch my cousin walk through the park in the buff. It's going to be quite a show."

"Don't count me in," said Valeria, adjusting her sunglasses. "It's too hot for me to get out. You two go. While Samy does what she has to do, I'll find a better place to park. We could get a fine here." Her tone was light, but the message was clear. "Meet me on the other side of the park, and hurry up, Samy. Lunch hour is almost over, and we're still working, remember?"

My heart was pounding as Carla opened my door. The warm air of the park hit my skin, mixing with the gentle breeze that felt even more so in my state. Every sensation was amplified: the rough ground under my bare feet, the air caressing my naked skin, the imaginary stares I felt piercing me from all sides. I can't do this. It's too much.

"Give me the backpack," I managed to whisper, hoping Julia would just throw it to me from the car.

But Julia also got out, adjusting her uniform skirt while holding Amy's backpack. "Don't worry, Samy. I'm going to get out with you," she said, her mocking tone making my stomach churn. "I'll give it to you in a moment, I want to see you without anything in the middle of the park."

Megan got out after her, pointing her phone at me with a malicious smile. "Come on, Samy. Give us a tour of the park. It'll be a spectacle worth remembering."

My body trembled as I tried to cover myself the best I could. I slowly got out of the car, my feet finding the sandy ground of the park. Each step made me feel more exposed, more vulnerable. I looked back, seeing Carla get into the car and Valeria drive away, leaving me completely naked at the mercy of the two girls.

"Well, Samy," said Julia, holding the backpack as if it were a trophy. "It's time to do your good deed of the day. Let's find the perfect place to hide this. Don't worry, I'll guide you."

Megan laughed as she walked beside me, her phone still recording. "This is pure gold, cousin. Don't worry, I'm capturing it all, this is so much fun."

The roar of the car's engine was the last thing I heard before seeing Valeria disappear down the road that circled the park. The feeling of abandonment hit me hard, as if I had been dropped into a bottomless abyss. Without clothes, without ID, without a phone, without a watch, without absolutely anything that could connect me to my normal life, I felt like a shadow, an invisible and vulnerable ghost in the middle of a world that kept moving with total normality.

"Your face, Samy," Julia said, laughing, raising her phone to capture a photo. "It's as if they just left you in the middle of the jungle with lions." Megan burst out laughing as she adjusted her camera, focusing on me with precision. "Don't move! This angle is perfect. Standing there naked in this park, you look so... out of place."

The air of the park enveloped me, amplifying every sensation on my skin. My bare feet clung to the ground, seeking some stability while the cold breeze passed through every inch of my body. I can't stay here. I have to move, but... where to? How? The pressure of the imaginary stares enveloped me like a net that prevented me from breathing. My chest rose and fell as I tried to calm the panic that gripped me.

I looked around, trying to locate some refuge. I couldn't move towards the street, where drivers could see me with just a turn of their heads. But I also couldn't stay still under the sun, with Megan and Julia taking photos and recording every second of my misery. Finally, my eyes rested on a large tree, with a thick trunk and branches that stretched out like protective arms. It was far enough from the street that no one in a vehicle would notice me, and although it barely offered any cover, it was my only option.

With a shaky impulse, I ran towards the tree, my feet pounding the ground. Each step made me feel more like prey, a wild animal trying to avoid the hunters. My body trembled as I crouched behind the trunk, pressing my back against the rough bark. The small bumps on the tree dug into my skin, but that was the least of my concerns compared to the shame and terror I felt. How did I get into this? I thought as my heart pounded like a runaway drum. I'm a professional. An engineer. I'm not... I'm not someone who hides like an animal for fear of being seen.

In the distance, Megan's and Julia's laughter echoed like cruel echoes. Without clothes, without accessories that gave me a minimum of identity, I felt reduced to the most basic version of myself. Without credentials, without tools, without anything that differentiated me from a stranger in this park, my mind raced in circles looking for an escape.

I'm kilometers away from my clothes, my office, my dignity. The thought hit me like a blow to the stomach. Everything that represented my life was locked in a drawer in Valeria's office, so close yet so far. It was a cruel version of my own life, as if the entire world was designed to expose me at my most vulnerable moment.

The rough ground under my feet, the cold breeze caressing my exposed skin, the crunchy leaves moving with every gust of wind, everything seemed to amplify my nakedness, both physically and emotionally. I felt like a primitive being, as if I had regressed centuries in my humanity, reduced to the most essential: hide, survive, avoid being seen. The irony was that I had no way of knowing if anyone was actually watching me, but the paranoia was enough to paralyze me.

I tried to breathe, but every sound around me made me jump. A whisper of the wind through the leaves, the crack of a distant branch, even the laughter of the children playing seemed to point directly at me. I felt trapped in a cruel and twisted version of my own life, as if the whole world was designed to expose me at my most vulnerable moment.

The laughter of Julia and Megan echoed in my ears as I shrank behind the tree, my hands gripping the trunk tightly as if I could merge with it and disappear. Every passing moment seemed to stretch into eternity, and although I knew I had to move, my body resisted. I can't stay here forever... but I can't leave either. This is a trap.

Julia, with her malicious yet playful tone, broke the silence. "Take all the time you need, Samy," she said, laughing, while she kept recording with her phone. "But don't take too long. Remember what Valeria said... it would be a shame if she left you here."

Her words hit me like a bucket of ice water. What would I do if that happened? Stay here until dark, exposed and alone? Wait for nightfall, exposed and alone? Wait until nightfall and then run like crazy? The possibility was terrifying, but not impossible. With Valeria, anything could happen. I have to move. I can't stay here. I need to find a safer place.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and let my eyes scan the park for a more secure location. A few meters away, there was a set of denser bushes that could offer some more cover, at least temporarily. But reaching them meant abandoning the relative protection of the tree and exposing myself to the open space of the lawn. My heart pounded at the thought.

"What are you doing, Samy? Are you planning to become a tree?" Megan shouted from a distance, raising her phone to take another photo. "Come on! You don't have all day."

The laughter of both girls filled the air, increasing my embarrassment and anxiety. I knew I had to move, but my body remained paralyzed with fear. Finally, with a titanic effort, I forced myself to leave my hiding place. Each step was a struggle against my instinct to stay still and protect myself.

The cold grass under my feet seemed like a constant reminder of my vulnerability. Leaves and small twigs stuck to my skin, intensifying my discomfort. This can't be real. But the wind caressing my body and the laughter of Megan and Julia were undeniable proofs to the contrary.

I tried to map out a mental route, seeking a path that would take me deeper into the park without being seen. However, the bushes, benches, and the few trees I saw seemed insufficient to guarantee my anonymity. Every time I thought I had a plan, a child would run by in the distance, or a student would cross the park on their way home, forcing me to reconsider.

I slid towards another tree closer to the center of the park, my movements clumsy and desperate. There's no way this will work. The constant fear of being discovered made each step feel like an eternity.

From behind the tree, I dared to look towards where Megan and Julia were. They were still recording, talking and laughing with each other, as if my humiliation were the main event of a private spectacle. Julia waved Amy's backpack, as if it were a trophy. "Samy! The backpack has a special hiding spot! What about that bench? But someone might take it!"

The sarcasm in her voice made me clench my teeth. I refocused my attention on the park, trying to ignore them. My eyes scanned every corner, searching for a place that offered some cover. Finally, in the distance, I spotted an area with a small depression in the terrain, surrounded by a fallen tree and some bushes. That might work... maybe.

However, the path to get there was long and exposed, and there was no guarantee that no one would see me before I reached it. Nonetheless, I had no other choice. With a trembling sigh, I crouched lower and began moving towards my goal, praying that the nearby students were too distracted to notice my presence.

The wind blew stronger, making my skin tingle. Every sound, from the crack of a branch to the whisper of the leaves, seemed amplified, as if the entire park were conspiring against me. Every few steps, I would stop, pressing myself against any available cover, hoping no one was watching.

Finally, I reached the denser bushes and curled up behind them, trying to catch my breath. My mind was torn between the terror of being discovered and the pressure of finding a place to hide the backpack. This can't go on much longer. I have to find a place and finish this... but how?

As my mind raced, I heard Julia's voice again. "Samy, you're taking your time! Do you want to live in the park or what?" Megan burst out laughing.

This isn't going to end soon. Not if it's up to them. With my nerves on edge, I closed my eyes, trying to gather the courage to continue.

As I left the backpack completely hidden among the branches and leaves, the emptiness inside me grew even larger. Without that makeshift shield, reality hit me hard once more. I am completely exposed anew. Not a single fiber of fabric between me and this park. My arms instinctively closed around my breasts and between my legs in an attempt to cover my nudity as I crouched down beside the fallen tree, trying to decide what to do next. Valeria's car... Where is it? Why didn't she mention where she was going to park? The uncertainty was as overwhelming as the shame.

The park now seemed immense, an endless labyrinth of trees, benches, and paths. I couldn't see the car from where I was, and the thought of having to cross open areas made my blood run cold. I have no choice. I have to find it before anyone else sees me.

I advanced slowly, sliding from one hiding spot to another. I stayed close to the bushes and trees, avoiding the main paths. The dry leaves and small branches beneath my feet kept crunching, and every sound seemed amplified by the relative silence of the park. With each step, I felt the texture of the ground against my skin: the dry leaves scratched, the cold grass brushed, and the brittle branches pricked slightly. My legs trembled, not only from the effort but also from the constant tension of being in a state of maximum alert.

Suddenly, a noise in the distance, the echo of a child's laughter, made me quicken my pace. I quickly crossed a small open area and took refuge behind a bench, my heart beating so fast I could feel it in my ears. This can't be real. This can't be happening.

I decided to move towards the opposite side of the park, where I remembered seeing a wider paved path. Maybe I can see the car from there, I thought, though the idea of moving so much terrified me.

With my heart pounding, I pushed forward, trotting urgently towards a thick tree near the path. Each stride made my body vibrate slightly, from my chest down to my legs. My breasts, released from any fabric, swayed with each stride, while my arm tried in vain to cover them. Each step made my thighs rub together, a strange and exposed sensation. My buttocks, exposed, moved with a freedom that made me feel vulnerable. The cool air of the park hit my skin, amplifying the discomfort and reminding me every second of how vulnerable I was.

I finally reached the tree and crouched behind it, breathing heavily. The wet grass beneath me stuck to my legs, and the cold from the ground seemed to creep up my spine. This isn't working. I can't keep moving from hiding spot to hiding spot. I need to find the car now.

I peered out slightly, scanning the area carefully. There were no signs of Valeria's car anywhere. Panic began to seep into my mind. What if she's not here? What if she left and I'm truly alone? The possibilities were so terrifying that I forced myself to shake my head to clear them. No, she's here. She has to be here.

I stood up cautiously, assessing the next stretch. It was a more open area, with only a couple of low bushes providing some cover. My bare feet brushed the grass and leaves as I took careful steps, but I knew I couldn't go that slowly all the time. I looked around once more before bending down and starting to trot again, quickly crossing towards the bushes.

The uneven ground made my steps awkward, and each vibration traveled through my body as a physical reminder of my exposure. Upon reaching the bushes, I dropped down again, my breath quickening and my skin covered in a light layer of cold sweat. I looked around desperately, searching for any sign of Valeria's car.

Nothing. Just more trees, more grass, and the occasional empty bench.

This can't be happening. I need to get out of here.

I forced myself to calm down, trying to devise a plan. If Valeria was somewhere in the park, she had to be towards one of the ends. I looked towards the main path, hesitating. I have to keep searching. I can't stay here forever. With a trembling sigh, I gathered the little courage I had left and prepared to move again.

My breath was ragged as I continued moving through the park, my body tense and each step reminding me of my situation. The ground now felt rougher, with small stones and dry branches pricking the soles of my feet. My skin was covered in a mix of cold sweat and the constant rub of the wind, and my head spun with chaotic thoughts.

Suddenly, a small structure appeared before me, something akin to a park maintenance shed. Maybe I can use it to circle around and find a better hiding spot, I thought, though my mind could barely focus on logic. As I approached, I heard the crunch of leaves behind the structure, but I ignored the noise, too focused on advancing unseen.

Then, as I turned the corner, I came to an abrupt stop.

Two boys, clearly students from Megan's school, stood right in front of me. Their uniforms gave them away: white shirts with a shield on the pocket and gray pants. They both wore backpacks, and their faces showed a mix of surprise and confusion at the sight of me.

"Oh my God, no!" I squeaked, instinctively backing away as my body tried to cover itself as best it could with my hands. My mind screamed to run, but my legs refused to respond.

The boys seemed frozen too, processing what they were seeing.

"Oh my God, she's naked!" exclaimed one of them, a dark-haired boy with messy hair, pointing at me as his eyes widened.

"Where's her clothes?" asked the other, a bit taller with blond hair combed back. His voice was filled with disbelief as he alternated his gaze between my embarrassed face and my body.

My throat was dry, and I felt a knot forming in my stomach. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. I could only stand there, my hands trembling as I tried to cover myself, my face burning with shame and my eyes filling with unshed tears.

"What are you doing here? Is this some kind of dare?" asked the blond boy, now with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"I don't know, but this is cool, she's beautiful," added the dark-haired boy, slightly tilting his head as he observed me.

My hands acted on instinct, trying to cover what clothes usually hid. Desperately, I pressed my breasts, feeling the sensitivity in my nipples as my fingers struggled to contain their fullness. My other hand rested between my legs, trying to cover my intimacy, my fingers gently brushing my lips, wishing to become small, invisible. Shame consumed me as I shrunk, trying to hide my body, but my eyes betrayed the panic I felt deep within.

Being naked in front of those two students was a surreal and overwhelming experience. My body, exposed in all its glory, felt like a raw canvas under their curious gaze. Every inch of my skin was visible, from my erect breasts to my curved hips and firm thighs.

My nakedness made me feel vulnerable and defenseless, as if I had lost an essential layer of protection. Their eyes, roaming my figure, made me conscious of every curve, every mark on my skin, as if they had stripped me of my intimacy. Shame burned on my face, intense emotions invading me: the desire to flee, the curiosity in their eyes, and a strange sense of exposure that made me feel both powerful and defenseless. It was a moment of extreme vulnerability, where my body became the center of attention, baring my soul to strangers.

"Wait," said the dark-haired boy, patting his pockets. "Shit! My phone was confiscated by the teacher at school. This is the worst!"

"Do you have yours?" he asked the blond boy, his tone anxious. "If we take a picture, the guys will believe what we saw."

My eyes widened, and my body trembled even more. No, no, no! This can't be happening.

"Let me check," muttered the blond boy, starting to search his backpack as my heart seemed to stop completely. My mind desperately screamed for an escape, but fear kept me pinned to the spot.

"Oh, that's right! I left my phone at home because the battery is useless," exclaimed the blond boy, clicking his tongue in frustration. His gaze didn't leave me, as if I were a fascinating discovery he couldn't ignore.

"But my cousin lives near the park," he added enthusiastically, turning to his friend. "I could run to his house and tell him to come with his camera. Or, even better, he could lend me his camera so I can take pictures myself."

The dark-haired boy quickly nodded, with a complicit smile. "That sounds perfect! Go quickly, before she tries to escape."

My legs, which had been rigid as pillars until then, threatened to give way. My whole body trembled as I processed their words. Are they going to bring someone else here? What am I going to do? My mind raced, desperately searching for an escape, but panic clouded any possibility of logical thought.

The blond boy adjusted his backpack and, without saying more, started running towards one of the park exits, leaving his friend with me. The sound of his footsteps fading away resonated in my ears as a reminder of the impending danger.

The dark-haired boy stayed where he was, observing me with a mix of curiosity and caution, as if he feared I might disappear at any moment. "It doesn't make sense to run," he said, crossing his arms. "You have nowhere to go."

I let out a trembling sigh, realizing that, for a moment, the situation was even worse than I had imagined. Neither of them had a phone to take pictures right now, but if the blond boy succeeded and brought his cousin or caused a stir, my humiliation would be unbearable. My stomach twisted with fear at the thought of being surrounded by more people, inquisitive eyes, and cameras pointed at me while I desperately tried to cover myself.

The air around me seemed denser, and each passing second felt eternal. My bare feet were immobile on the uneven ground, and the cold wind that had once been a constant reminder of my vulnerability now felt like a mocking echo, amplifying my helplessness.

I looked at the boy still in front of me, my lips parting in a failed attempt to speak. What do I do? Do I run? Do I hide? But where? He's right here, and the other one will come back with someone. My mind remained trapped in a loop of desperation, while my eyes darted from side to side, searching for an escape.

"Well, then," the boy said in a casual tone, though his eyes remained curious. "Is this some kind of dare or something? Because, if it is, you've got guts, I must admit."

The words fluttered around me like a distant echo. This isn't a dare. It's a nightmare. But how can I explain it? I can't even process it myself. My throat closed up, and all I could manage was to hug myself tighter, as if my own skin could offer the protection I desperately needed.

My heart pounded like a crazed drum as I made my decision. I couldn't stay there, static, without answering any questions, waiting for the boy to bring someone else. I have to run. I have to escape. Without thinking twice, I turned around, briefly exposing the roundness of my buttocks to his view, and I took off running, my hands covering my rear.

"Hey, wait!" the boy shouted, clearly surprised by my sudden decision.

I felt my bare feet hitting the ground filled with dirt and dry leaves. Each step was a sharp reminder of my vulnerability, but the fear was stronger than the pain. My breath was chaotic, and the cold air of the park burned my lungs as I ran. This isn't a fair race, I thought desperately. I'm like a hare without a burrow, running in circles while the hunter chases me.

I heard his steps behind me, not in a hurry but constant, as if he were enjoying the game. "You can't hide from me!" he said with a mocking tone that made me shiver. His advantage was clear, equipped with shoes while I struggled to keep up, a vulnerable hare, without refuge, in a desperate race for freedom.

I stopped behind a thick tree, trying to calm my breath to avoid giving myself away. My arms wrapped tightly around my body, trying to cover myself as best as I could, while my eyes scanned the surroundings.

"Do you really think I won't find you?" the boy said, his voice resonating closer. "That tree isn't exactly a perfect hiding spot."

I'm like a firefly in the darkness, I thought bitterly. No matter how hard I try to hide, there's always something that gives me away. My state made me feel completely exposed; each movement seemed amplified, each sound I made was a beacon guiding the boy directly to me.

I'm like a firefly in the darkness, I thought bitterly, shining and exposed. Every part of my naked body seemed to glow, revealing my location. My movements, without the protection of clothing, were like smoke signals, drawing attention. Each step, each sigh, each beat of my naked heart guided the boy directly to me, as if my very essence were a light I couldn't turn off. The feeling of exposure was overwhelming, as if my intimacy were a secret known to all.

I didn't have time to plan further. I saw him appear on the other side of the tree, his expression mixing fun and challenge. "There you are, you're incredibly beautiful," he said with a wide smile.

I let out a muffled squeal and started running again, this time towards a group of empty benches. I threw myself behind them, ignoring how the branches scratched my skin. My body was trembling, not from the cold but from terror.

But it wasn't long before his head appeared above the benches. "You should look for a better place. This one is too obvious."

A whisper of desperation escaped my lips as I got up again, this time stumbling slightly. I ran towards a group of empty benches, trying to use each one as cover. But I always saw him appear behind me, laughing as if this were an exciting game.

I'm not a person. I'm a target. An easy prey he's chasing just for fun. The analogy hit my mind like a hammer. I'm like a mouse trapped in a maze, with the cat always behind, playing before delivering the final blow.

Despite my exhaustion, I clung to a single thought: Find Valeria's car. Put an end to this. But the park seemed endless, and each corner only led to more humiliation.

I stumbled again, this time over a hidden root. My body fell to the ground with a dull thud, and the boy stopped a few meters away, laughing. "Are you tired already?"

My hands clenched tightly on the ground, trying to gather the strength to get up again. I can't give up. I can't stay here. I looked around, searching for any sign of Valeria's car, anything that promised safety.

But there was nothing. Only the boy, with his malicious fun, and the echo of my own shame resonating in my mind.

**Desperate Scream**

I ran towards the playground, an apparent refuge in my desperation. The structure promised a hiding spot, if not for the fact that he had already seen my direction. Perhaps I can lose him here, I foolishly thought as I slid behind a small plastic tunnel. My bare, aching feet stepped on a mix of sand and gravel that dug into my skin with every movement. I tried to control my breathing, now a whirlwind of ragged gasps, and I crouched as best I could, using the edges of the playground equipment as a shield.

But the boy was relentless. His footsteps echoed just a few meters away, and soon his laughter cut through the air. "Aren't you tired? Do you really think you can hide from me? This is too easy."

A faint moan of frustration escaped my lips as I pressed my knees against my chest. It's useless. He sees me everywhere I go. It was as if my attempts to disappear only invited him to follow me with more enthusiasm. My exposed and vulnerable skin burned, while my mind couldn't stop repeating: This isn't happening. This isn't happening.

Finally, the boy stopped in front of me, with a smile that mixed malice and amusement. "You know, I think this isn't fun enough." His eyes shone with pure mischief, and a shiver ran down my spine.

"What... what do you mean?" I babbled, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"I'm going to scream," he announced, his tone so casual that it paralyzed me. "I'm going to tell everyone that there's a naked girl here." He looked me up and down, enjoying my evident horror.

"No... no, please, don't do that," I begged, feeling my voice tremble as much as my body.

"Why not? It'll surely be fun," he replied, tilting his head as if considering his decision. Before I could try to stop him, he inhaled deeply and shouted: "HEY! THERE'S A NAKED GIRL HERE IN THE PARK!"

The sound of his voice was like a gunshot echoing in every corner of my being. My mind went blank, my body frozen by sheer terror. This is the end. My heart pounded so hard I felt it would break my ribs. There's no turning back. I've been found out.

From afar, I saw a couple of little kids turn towards us. They laughed and started approaching, pointing at me enthusiastically. "Look, it's true, she's naked! We can see her butt!" they exclaimed between giggles, pointing with childlike curiosity. Their innocence hit me; it was too much, even for their age. They're just kids, but even this is too much. My throat closed up as I tried to process what was happening.

"Please, no," I whispered, my voice barely an aborted whisper as I looked at the boy, hoping for a glimpse of compassion. But his expression remained filled with cruel fun. He enjoyed every second of my torment.

Amidst the chaos, my eyes moved frantically, searching for an escape, anything to save me. That's when I saw her. In the distance, right at the park's edge, Julia stood. She was next to Valeria's car, waving her hands, insistently signaling me.

My mind tried to process what I was seeing, but I was too shocked to react immediately. Julia seemed to be calling me towards the car, but my legs were rooted to the ground.

The boy shouted again, laughing as he did, and the children came even closer. The pressure in my chest grew so much I felt I would faint. I couldn't think. I couldn't move. I could only look at Julia, hoping that somehow, she had the answer to get me out of this hell.

The park seemed to spin around me in a chaos spiral as my eyes caught the boy approaching from another direction, now with a professional camera hanging from his neck. Behind him, an older man, possibly his cousin, held up a cell phone high as if ready to record every second of my humiliation.

No, this cannot be happening. This cannot be happening, I thought frantically as my heart pounded like an unruly drum. My breathing was erratic, and a shiver ran through me at the thought of what would happen if they managed to catch me. My legs trembled, not from tiredness, but from the pure fear that pierced me.

In the distance, the two elderly people who had been sitting indifferently before were now looking at me with eyes full of disdain.

"What a lack of respect, young lady! This is no place to be running around!" scolded the gray-haired old woman.

"The new generations have no shame!" added her companion, shaking his head in disapproval and fascination as his eyes scanned my exposed body.

Their words hit me like a whip. My skin burned with embarrassment, and I felt the knot in my throat grow until I was almost suffocated. My hands tried to cover myself, but the feeling of vulnerability was so overwhelming that it seemed like my whole body was exposed to everyone's gaze. I can't stop here. If I don't do something now, I'm finished.

The boy with the camera was quickly approaching, his cousin right behind him. Both seemed to enjoy the chase, with smiles and bright eyes full of excitement. My instinct kicked in, and without a second thought, I ran. I ran with all the strength I had left.

My feet pounded the park ground, feeling every stone, Keep going, don't stop, I told myself as sweat poured and my breathing became heavier with each step. The sound of the wind filled my ears, mixing with the laughter and shouts of my pursuers.

In the distance, I spotted Valeria's car parked in a corner of the park. There it is. That's my only way out. My legs ached, but adrenaline pushed me beyond what I thought possible. It was as if my body was running on instinct, every muscle focused on a single goal: reaching the car before they caught me.

Behind me, the boys' footsteps echoed, resonating with determination. I couldn't afford to look back. I can't stop. I can't let them catch me. Sweat soaked every inch of my skin, and the effort made my vision blur, but finally, like a beacon in the storm, Valeria's car came into clearer view.

With one last surge of energy, I reached the back door. I launched myself into the open door, slamming it shut behind me. I was soaked, my hair sticking to my face and sweat covering every part of my body.

From inside the car, I could hear my pursuers' footsteps slowing and their frustrated voices outside. I made it. I'm safe. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart, but the sound of laughter inside the car brought me back to reality. Megan, Julia, Carla, and Valeria were looking at me, their faces lit up with blatant amusement.

The car started with a soft roar, and Valeria smoothly joined the road without waiting a second. The hum of the air conditioning filled the interior, accompanied by the irregular sound of my breathing as I tried to catch my breath. My body was drenched in sweat; I could feel my damp skin sticking to the seat fabric, and the cold air felt like little knives stabbing me. However, the cold was the least of my concerns at that moment.

My mind was trapped in the chaos of the last few minutes: the shouts, the footsteps behind me, and the absolute weight of humiliation. I don't know if they caught me or if I almost got caught. I was so close to losing it all..." I closed my eyes and clung to the bottom of the seat, trying to calm the incessant trembling of my hands.

"It was incredible!" Julia exclaimed, breaking the tense silence that reigned only in my head. "Samy, you looked like you were in an action movie... but not as the heroine. More like the victim, you looked so ridiculous!"

Laughter burst out in the car like a mocking explosion, reverberating against the invisible walls of my already shattered dignity. I slowly opened my eyes, barely turning my head towards Julia and Megan, who were blatantly enjoying the spectacle they had just witnessed.

"I can't believe it," Megan added between fits of laughter. "That sprint to the car was epic. Did you see the face of the boy with the camera? He was ready to win a Pulitzer Prize if he got that shot."

"Yes," Julia interrupted, her mocking tone overflowing with fun. "But the best part was how you tried to hide in the park's playground. You looked like a rat running in a maze with no exit!"

Every word felt like a slap in the face. My body sank further into the seat, wishing the car would swallow my entire existence. I looked down at my hands, nervously intertwining, in a vain attempt to calm myself. Sweat drops continued to run down my skin, mixing with the icy cold of the air conditioning, intensifying the contrast of sensations.

"And wait," Julia continued enthusiastically, "we haven't gotten to the best part yet."

Her tone made me lift my gaze, confused and fearful. Julia took out her cell phone and waved it in front of me with a triumphant smile. "I've been recording you the whole time. Did you think you'd escaped our cameras? Please, Samy, we couldn't miss this opportunity, and it was all Megan's idea."

My heart sank in my chest. No. It can't be. My eyes widened as Julia unlocked her phone and started playing the video. There I was, in all my humiliation, running like a scared animal through the bushes, my desperate attempts to cover myself captured from angles that seemed calculated to maximize my vulnerability.

"Look at her!" Julia exclaimed, showing the video to Megan, Carla, and Valeria as well. "It's pure art. The desperation, the drama, the action. It's all here."

The three of them burst into laughter. I felt shame and contained rage. My skin burned, but not from the heat. It was the cold air conditioning hitting my sweaty body as I tried to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

"You know, Samy?" said Valeria, her tone filled with fun as she kept her eyes on the road. "You should be grateful. You're giving us material to laugh about for weeks. Maybe months."

I couldn't respond. Words stuck in my throat. Instead, I turned my face towards the window, watching the city pass by quickly. How did I get into this? How did I become the target of all this? But no matter how much I thought about it, the answer remained the same: I was trapped in a game I couldn't win.

As the car moved forward, I felt my breathing start to stabilize, albeit not entirely. My nerves were still on edge, every laugh from the girls or each exchange of words between them was like a tiny electric shock, reminding me of how exposed and vulnerable I was. I can't afford to relax completely. Not in this state. Not while they're enjoying themselves like this.

Suddenly, a guttural and completely out of place sound broke the relative silence in the car. My stomach roared loudly, a clear sign of the food I had missed. I tensed up instantly, wishing no one had noticed, but it was useless.

"That was your stomach, Samy!" Megan exclaimed, turning towards me with a mocking smile. "God, it sounds like you have a lion in there."

Valeria and Carla exchanged a knowing glance. "Poor Samy, she didn't even have time to have lunch," Carla commented with a smile. "That's right, she didn't want to go to the restaurant with us," added Valeria, laughing.

Julia and Valeria laughed, joining in on the fun. "Poor Samy," Julia added, placing a hand on her chest in fake compassion. "It must be tough to go hungry after all that exercise in the park. Although, of course, you didn't do much more than run and sweat, right?"

I felt my face burning with embarrassment. I lowered my gaze, unable to meet their eyes. As if this wasn't humiliating enough, now my own body is betraying me. I hugged myself tighter, trying to ignore the growing discomfort of their comments, but the hunger in my stomach was a constant reminder.

"You know what?" Megan said, with that malicious tone that never boded well. "I think we should do something for our dear Samy. How about we swing by McDonald's? Something quick and cheap, just what she needs."

My eyes widened and my body tensed up. "No!" I exclaimed, unable to contain myself. "That... that's not necessary. Really, I'm fine."

Valeria glanced at the clock on her dashboard, completely ignoring my protest. "Hmm, we might have time if we don't delay too much," she said, throwing me a look in the rearview mirror that made me want to shrink even more.

"No, please..." I tried to insist, my voice barely a whisper. But my words were drowned out by the roar of the engine as Valeria turned the car towards the restaurant. I could feel the panic bubbling inside me. I can't do this. I can't enter a crowded place in this state. This can't be happening.

"Relax, Samy," Valeria said with a smile that showed not a hint of sympathy. "It'll just be a quick stop. We don't want you fainting from hunger, do we?"

Megan laughed from her seat, turning towards me once more. "Yeah, Samy, and it would be quite interesting to see how you order your food. What do you feel like? A burger? Nuggets?"

I closed my eyes, feeling the car's air conditioning colder than ever. I tried to control my breathing, but every word they said filled my mind with images of what could happen. They can't do this to me. They can't.

The car finally reached the McDonald's parking lot, and I saw the iconic yellow letters shining in the distance. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like everyone in the car could hear it. I gripped the seat, desperately trying to find an escape from this new nightmare.

[mcenf]

The car slowly pulled up behind another vehicle that was placing an order. I could hear the hum of the air conditioning, the murmur of employees attending from the window, and the occasional laughter of the girls in the car. My breath grew heavier as I curled up further in the back seat, my body completely tense. This can't be real. This can't be happening.

"Relax, Samy," Valeria said with her typical carefree tone, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. "We're almost there. A couple more minutes and you'll be able to calm that growl in your stomach."

Megan turned towards me, a mocking glint in her eyes that was almost blinding. "I hope you're thinking hard about what you want, Samy. It's important that you choose quickly. We don't want to make anyone wait, do we?"

I couldn't even speak. My lips moved, but no words came out. I could only imagine what would happen at that window, where everything was too visible, too public. My fingers gripped the edge of the seat, as if that could anchor me to something solid amidst the chaos in my mind.

Finally, the car in front moved forward, and Valeria calmly drove up to the window. I saw a young employee, probably my age, with her impeccable uniform and a cap bearing the restaurant's logo. She smiled politely, unaware of what was about to happen.

"Good afternoon, what will your order be?" the girl asked, her tone polite and professional.

Valeria didn't waste a second. She gestured towards me, her smile turning mischievous. "It's my co-worker who's hungry," she said with feigned innocence. "Ask her."

The employee turned her head towards the back seat, and her eyes widened instantly. Her expression quickly changed from surprise to astonishment and then to bewilderment. She brought both hands to her mouth, clearly unsure how to react.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed softly, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Heat rose to my face like a wave, and my eyes filled with unwanted tears. I curled up even more, wishing to disappear into the seat. My arms wrapped around my body, trying to cover the impossible.

"What's up, Samy?" Megan asked with a mocking tone, laughing openly. "Aren't you going to order anything? The poor girl is waiting."

The employee slowly lowered her hands from her mouth, her gaze still fixed on me, but her surprise soon turned into a mocking smile that she tried unsuccessfully to hide. "Wow! I wasn't expecting this," she said, her tone mixing incredulity and amusement. Her eyes sparkled with a spark of malice as she looked me up and down. "What happened, did you forget something essential at home?" she added, letting out a contained laugh.

My arms tightened further around my body, and my face burned as if it were about to explode. I wanted to respond, wanted to say something that would explain the inexplicable, but the words simply wouldn't come out.

"It's incredible, isn't it?!" Megan interjected, turning towards the employee with a smile full of complicity. "Our Samy here decided that today was a special day."

The employee laughed, this time more openly. "It definitely is. I never thought I'd see something like this at work. This will make my day!" she commented, her eyes still fixed on me as if she were seeing something surreal.

"Well, not every day does someone have the courage to place such an... authentic order," said Julia from the passenger seat, her tone full of irony as she joined in the laughter.

"Samy, aren't you going to say what you want to eat?" Valeria insisted, her voice with that carefree tone that pierced me like a knife. "I'm sure our friend here will be delighted to help you."

"No... I..." I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper as I wished the earth would swallow me up at that moment.

The employee shook her head, clearly enjoying the situation. "Well, don't worry. I'll make sure you have an unforgettable experience," she said, her mocking smile making me curl up even more in the seat.

"Wow, customer service!" Megan joked, bursting into laughter along with Julia.

As the laughter filled the car, my whole body trembled, the cold air from the car intensifying my discomfort. Every mocking glance, every word laden with sarcasm, plunged me deeper into the abyss of embarrassment I was already trapped in. This can't be happening. This can't be happening, I thought, as the echo of their laughter seemed to resonate inside my head, amplifying my humiliation.

The employee, still smiling, took out her cell phone and, with a quick movement, pointed it towards me. The camera flash felt like a direct hit to my dignity. I tried to curl up even more, almost merging with the back seat, but it was impossible to escape the gazes or the laughter echoing in the car.

"Wow, this is pure gold!" the girl said as she checked the photo she had just taken. "I never thought a regular shift could turn into this. Who needs reality shows when you can see this live?"

"Let me see it!" Megan asked, leaning forward to look at the employee's phone screen. She burst into laughter. "It's perfect! Samy, you should consider it, you could go viral."

"No! Please, don't..." I tried to murmur, but my voice was a weak thread amidst their commotion. My face was burning, my cheeks were two lit flames that betrayed my humiliation.

The employee turned her head towards me again, this time with a mockingly curious expression. "Don't worry, I won't post your photo on the Internet, but this isn't something you see every day."

"She lost a bet," Megan interrupted before I could even think of a response. Her tone was light, as if she were sharing an inside joke. "And you know how bets go: sometimes you win, sometimes you end up in a car with nothing on."

The employee raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the show. "Wow, what a bet! You should choose your challenges better next time," she said, laughing as her attention returned to her phone, probably checking the photo once more.

I lowered my gaze, my arms pressed against my body, wishing to disappear into the seat. Every word they said was a stab, a worsening of my situation. This can't get worse, right? They can't humiliate me more...

"Well," said Carla, with that carefree tone that made me boil inside, "since Samy doesn't seem capable of deciding, I think a hamburger with Coca-Cola will be enough."

"Do you think she has the money to pay?" the employee asked, her tone laden with sarcasm as she looked at my empty hands and, of course, my complete lack of pockets. "Because I don't see where she could keep the money."

The collective laughter in the car was another blow, a wave of humiliation that made me wish to disappear completely.

"Don't worry," Carla said, laughing and making an exaggerated gesture of generosity. "I'll treat you. Relax, Samy, we're even helping you out today!"

The laughter continued as I remained there, petrified, my heart pounding in my chest while each second felt like an eternity of shame.

The employee returned with the order faster than it seemed, although for me, each second had been an eternal torment. She held the paper bag with a mischievous smile, her mocking gaze fixed on me as she extended her arm to hand it to Valeria.

"Enjoy your food," she said, making an exaggerated gesture with her hand towards me. "And I hope your day gets better... but I doubt it."

Valeria calmly received the bag, unmoved, and Carla, with her characteristic spark of fun, took out her wallet and handed the money to Valeria to pay. The employee, upon receiving it, didn't bother to hide her satisfaction at having witnessed such a scene.

"Thanks for coming, girls. It was... a pleasure," she concluded, before turning towards the next window, but not without throwing me one last mocking glance.

Valeria drove a few meters beyond the window, pausing momentarily to organize herself before leaving the parking lot. Carla, holding the bag with the food, calmly opened it, letting the aroma fill the car. My intestines roared as if they wanted to join in the show, and the laughter exploded again.

"That was like a protest applause!" Megan exclaimed, unable to contain herself.

Carla closed the bag and carefully put it in the glove compartment, turning towards me with a mocking smile. "Don't worry, Samy. We'll give it to you when we get to the office. Valeria doesn't like us eating in her car; we don't want to make a mess, right?"

The roar of my stomach seemed to echo my frustration, but I didn't say anything. I just curled up more in the seat, trying to endure the collective laughter.

"You see, Samy," said Valeria as she checked her rearview mirror and started driving again, "at least we know you're alive and well-fed... eventually."

With the food stored out of my reach, hunger and shame combined into an unbearable mix as the car drove through the avenues towards the office. Each girl's laughter felt like an additional blow, and although I tried to disconnect my mind from reality, the roar of my stomach and the cold air in the car prevented it.

The girls burst into another round of laughter, and Valeria drove off with a satisfied smile, leaving behind the scene at McDonald's but taking with me the mark of yet another humiliation on this endless day.

The car moved forward calmly, but the atmosphere inside was tense for me. Despite the roar of my stomach and the cold air, I tried to calm down and avoid thinking about my situation. Then, the ringtone of a cell phone broke the temporary silence. It was Megan's.

"Hello, mother," Megan answered with a light and carefree tone, while the other girls fell silent to listen. "Yes, I'm already on my way in the car. Sam came to pick me up with some coworkers; they're very nice."

My eyes widened in disbelief. What is she was she saying?

Megan paused as she listened to her mother, her expression changing to a mischievous smile. "Oh, so you have to travel. I understand. Yes, it would be great if she takes care of me while you're not here. Of course, she's sitting right here with me since they came in Valeria's car. Honestly, I don't know why they didn't come in your car. Do you want me to put her on speaker so you can talk to her?"

Before I could react, Megan pressed the speaker button, and the familiar voice of Megan's mother resonated in the car.

"Samantha, hello. How are you? I've been looking for you since you disappeared. Where have you been? You don't even answer my calls."

The girls' giggles erupted immediately, making me feel even more exposed. I swallowed hard and tried to respond professionally, although my voice trembled with embarrassment. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I was... organizing everything for tomorrow and... I left my cell phone at the office."

"I doubt you'd leave your cell phone, Samantha," she replied sarcastically. "You young people are always on those devices, even when going to the bathroom. You must be having a fight with some boyfriend."

The girls burst into laughter in the car. Megan couldn't hold back, while Julia and Carla made mocking comments under their breath. I felt my face burning with shame, and I curled up even more in the seat, trying to disappear.

"Anyway," Megan's mother continued, changing the subject with overwhelming calmness, "as you know, I'll be traveling for two days. I'd appreciate it if you could take care of Megan while I'm gone."

I opened my mouth to respond, but my mind was clouded by pressure and discomfort. Megan, noticing my inability to speak, quickly intervened with a malicious smile. "Oh, don't worry, mom. Sam just nodded. She agrees."

What? My incredulous gaze turned to Megan, but she just winked at me.

"Thank you very much, Samantha," Megan's mother concluded, sounding satisfied. "I thought you could take the rest of the day to organize things with Megan. Tomorrow, you'll be in charge of the server room."

Before I could react, the call ended. Megan, with a triumphant expression, put her phone away and looked at the other girls. "Well, girls, now we have the afternoon free to have some fun."

The atmosphere in the car changed when Valeria, with an evident gesture of annoyance, let out a heavy sigh while she continued driving. "A free afternoon for us?" she said sarcastically, briefly turning her head towards Carla and then to Megan. "We do have to work. It seems that Beatriz is still consenting to Samy as if she were a spoiled child."

My hands trembled as I tried to keep myself as cuddled as possible, although the cold air conditioning seemed to pierce my skin. I knew that Valeria was annoyed and that her words would only increase my shame. I felt that all the glances, though intermittent, fell on me, as if I were the cause of her discomfort.

"Seriously, Samy?" Valeria continued, her tone charged with irritation. "What did you do to earn a free afternoon? While we're all working, you're strolling around the city naked as if you were doing something important."

Megan, Julia, and Carla burst into laughter, exchanging sarcastic comments among themselves. Megan turned towards me, a mischievous smile lighting up her face. "Yes, Samy. How hard did you work today? Was it so exhausting that you need to rest?"

I tried to open my mouth to defend myself, to tell them that I hadn't asked for any free afternoon, that it had all been Megan's mother's idea. But the words wouldn't come out, trapped between fear, cold, and shame. "I... I..." I stammered, my hands gripping the seat as if I could sink into it.

Valeria huffed and, without taking her eyes off the road, added disdainfully, "Tell me something, Samy. Is there anything we need for tomorrow? Should I go see Javier to get some important information? Because if you take the free afternoon, someone will have to take care of things, don't you think?"

The knot in my throat grew, and my whole body trembled, not only from the cold that now felt like torture but also from the weight of her words. I wanted to respond, to tell her that I didn't want any free afternoon, that I just wanted to get my things back and go to work, but my voice only turned into incoherent whispers.

"I... I don't..." I murmured, my lips trembling. "Just... I want... to go back... to work..." I whispered, my words lost between my rapid breathing and the roar of the car engine.

Carla, noticing my discomfort, couldn't help but add fuel to the fire. "Work? Like this? Samy, please, I don't know what kind of work you think you could do in this state." Her laughter echoed in the car, followed by Megan's.

"Maybe you could be the new attraction at the park or a club," Megan said between laughs. "You look more ready for a street show than for the office."

I felt my eyes filling with tears, but I blinked quickly to prevent them from falling. I'm not going to cry here. I won't give them that pleasure. But my body kept trembling, and the cold air conditioning seemed to mock my misery.

Valeria finally let out a sigh and shook her head. "Well, Samy, if you can't even respond, then I guess I'll go ask him. Enjoy your free afternoon." Her tone was a mix of sarcasm and contempt.

The laughter continued while I remained frozen in my place, unable to articulate a defense. I just wanted the trip to end, for this nightmare to have a break, although I knew that moment was still far away.

Valeria arrived at the building and parked the car precisely in her designated parking spot in the underground garage. The sound of the engine shutting off was like a blow of reality for me, reminding me that we were back in the office, in a place where my current state would be a sentence of total humiliation. While my nerves struggled to maintain control, Valeria announced with a carefree, almost amused voice:

"Well, guys, we've arrived. Everyone out of the car. I have to go back to the office."

My eyes widened as my breathing quickened. "Is everyone getting out?" I thought, though I didn't dare say it out loud. Before I could try to process Valeria's words, Megan and Carla were already opening their doors.

Megan was the first to get out, stretching exaggeratedly as if the trip had been exhausting. "Wow, this little walk felt great. Right, Samy?" she said, throwing me a mocking glance before slamming her door shut.

Carla, always quick to join in on the game, also got out with her usual superior smile, holding the bag with the order in her hand. "Come on, Samy, get out of the car. Don't hide as if this had nothing to do with you," she said in a sarcastic tone, provoking laughter from the others.

The sound of the car engine turning off was like a moment of calm, but her gaze, filled with amusement, made it clear to me that she expected nothing more than my continued humiliation.

Finally, Valeria stepped out, slamming her door shut and heading towards the back of the car. "Come on, Samy. Get out. I'm not going to leave you locked in here as if this were your personal hideout."

Terror gripped me, and when I opened the door, I practically ran towards one of the columns, covering my body as best I could. The girls' laughter echoed in the parking garage, amplified by the echo of the walls.

"Look at her! She's running as if the car were on fire!" Carla exclaimed between laughs, while Megan leaned over Julia, laughing hysterically.

Valeria, with a false expression, took a few steps towards where I was hiding. "Samy, it seems like everyone has returned to their workstations. I doubt you want to go up like that... or do you?" Her tone was full of malice, and my heart sank at the insinuation. The mere thought of going upstairs completely naked and facing any employee I might encounter made me tremble with fear.

My body kept trembling, and the chills running down my spine seemed more intense than ever.

Valeria, always finding ways to prolong my suffering, looked at Megan and said casually, "Megan, why don't you come with me to get Samy's things? I don't think she feels like doing it herself." Then, she glanced in Julia's direction, as if she had just remembered something. "Julia, stay here below with our friend while we go upstairs."

The momentary relief I felt at hearing that sentence was like a breath of fresh air. Finally...

As Valeria, Carla, and Megan walked towards the elevator, laughing and sharing their usual taunts, I curled up behind the column, my mind focused on the hope that the torment would soon end. Julia, however, remained close by, crossing her arms with a contained expression of amusement, as if she were waiting for something.

The sound of the elevator fading away echoed like an empty void in the parking lot, leaving me completely alone with Julia. I felt my breath quicken again, as if the brief respite I'd had vanished in the blink of an eye. Julia remained silent for a moment, observing me with that mocking smile I detested so much. Then, she took out her phone and, without warning, started recording.

"Julia, please!" I whispered urgently, hugging my body even tighter against the column. "Stop doing that. It's... it's so embarrassing."

Julia laughed, a light laugh but filled with malice. "Embarrassing? Don't tell me that, Samy. Why would it be embarrassing? Are you sure you don't like it, not even a little bit? Come on, look at yourself. You're... completely naked from head to toe." She made an exaggerated gesture with her hands, as if presenting me like a work of art in a gallery.

"Of course not!" I responded quickly, my voice a mere frustrated murmur. How can she even think that? This is a nightmare.

"Really?" Julia tilted her head, her gaze amused as she moved a little closer with the phone still pointed at me. "Because, honestly, it seems like you're enjoying it. I mean, you didn't resist Valeria's plan much, did you? And here you are, in your workplace parking lot, huddled behind a column. How does that make you feel, Samy?"

How does it make me feel? Like I want to disappear! My throat tightened, unable to find words to respond to that absurd question. Julia, however, didn't stop.

"Come on, be honest. There must be something exciting about all this, right? Do you feel... alive? Do you like the adrenaline? Because, honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd be scared to death. But you... you handle it like a total pro." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, and her smile widened as she saw me squirm at her words.

"Julia, stop," I tried to say more firmly, attempting to regain some control. I straightened up a bit, hoping to project authority. "I'm older than you, and you have no right to treat me this way."

Julia let out a laugh, as if my attempt at authority was the funniest joke she'd heard in years. "Older than me? Sure. Because right now, you look so mature and responsible, hiding naked behind a column as if that could save you." She took a step closer, and before I could react, she grabbed my hand tightly.

"Julia, no!" I tried to protest, but she was already pulling me out of my makeshift refuge.

"Come on, Samy," she said with feigned sweetness, forcing me to take a step out in the open. "If you're really that adult and mature, prove it. Because right now, you don't seem to be in charge of anything. In fact, I don't think you ever were."

The cold air of the parking lot enveloped me completely, amplifying the feeling of vulnerability that was already unbearable. I tried to resist, but Julia held me with surprising strength for someone her size. This can't be happening. Not here, not now.

"See? You can't do anything," Julia said, finally letting go of me, but only to take a step back and point her phone at me again. "You're completely at my mercy, Samy. And you know it." Her voice was filled with satisfaction, and her gaze reflected the enjoyment she was getting from my misery.

My mind raced, desperately seeking a way to regain control, to get out of this situation. But the more I tried, the more evident it became that any attempt at authority or dignity would be crushed under the weight of my state and the power of her words.

The roar of a car engine echoed through the parking lot, followed by the sound of tires screeching on the pavement. The noise broke the fragile silence, and my body reacted before my mind could catch up, as I cringed, hugging myself and backing against the column as if that could make me invisible. I felt the cold concrete against my skin as I pressed against it, my hands desperately covering every inch they could.

Julia, standing a few steps away, let out a laugh that reverberated in the empty space, bouncing off the walls like a cruel mockery. "God, Samy, you look ridiculous," she said, her tone filled with malicious amusement. "Don't you see I'm right? You look like a little mouse caught in a trap, desperately trying to find a way out."

Her words were like knives, each sharper than the last. The laughter in her voice confirmed what I already felt: I was nothing more than a plaything for her amusement, an object to be manipulated without the slightest regard for my emotions. How can someone enjoy watching another person suffer like this? My mind reeled at the cruelty emanating from someone who had once seemed so charming and charismatic.

Julia took a step closer, tilting her head slightly as she looked at me with a mix of mockery and satisfaction. "You know, Samy, there's something that makes playing with you so much more fun than with Amy." Her voice was soft, almost as if she were confiding a secret, but her tone had a venomous edge. "She... well, she does have something to lose. She probably wouldn't show her face at school again, and her mother would punish her mercilessly. But you... you have so much more to lose. Your job, your reputation, your entire life. It's all hanging by a thread. That's what makes it so exciting. That's what makes it so entertaining to watch you squirm."

My lips parted, trying to formulate a response, something, anything to stop this avalanche of cruelty. But only small shrieks of terror escaped my throat, as if the words refused to form. Julia noticed, and her smile widened, as if my inability to respond was the final confirmation of her power over me.

"And the best part," she continued, not giving me a moment's respite, "is that we know you'll do anything to try and keep it all intact. Isn't that right? That's why Valeria has you completely in her grasp. And believe me, Samy, she's just getting started. At some point, she's going to make sure you have the worst day of your life, and I... I want to be there to see it." Her laughter was light, almost melodic, but her words were steeped in cruelty that left me frozen.

How can she say this to me? I thought as my legs trembled and my heart pounded in my chest. Julia, who had always been charismatic and friendly in our previous interactions, now seemed like a stranger, someone who enjoyed watching me fall apart. What have I done to deserve this? When did I become her entertainment?

My hands clung to the column, seeking stability that my body couldn't find. I tried to lift my gaze, to look her straight in the eye, but her expression was too overwhelming. I wanted to say something, anything, but each time I tried, only weak, barely audible sounds came out.

"Nothing to say, Samy?" Julia asked with a triumphant smile, crossing her arms as she looked at me like a masterpiece she had created herself. "Don't you have an excuse, a cry of indignation, anything? Or are you accepting that this is your new reality?"

My body cringed even more, my arms wrapping tightly around myself, making myself as small as possible, as if I could disappear entirely. The coldness of the concrete seeped into my skin, but I couldn't think of anything other than the weight of her words, the truth they seemed to carry. I'm nothing more than a plaything for them. I'm nothing more than a shadow of who I used to be.

Julia kept talking, every word a dart piercing what little remained of my dignity. "And do you know why it's different with you, Samy?" she said casually, as if commenting on the weather. "Amy is our schoolmate. Of course, I love keeping her embarrassed and flustered, but we see her every day. We study with her. It's like a long-term project. But you... you're different. I've barely seen you a couple of times, and that makes it so easy, you know?" she asked. "I don't have to worry about seeing you tomorrow or about any consequences of playing with you today."

Each word made me feel smaller, as if the parking lot floor could open up and swallow me whole. I tried to gather the strength to respond, but my lips only trembled. Julia didn't stop. "And don't think Megan is going to save you. She enjoys humiliating you just as much as any of us. Haven't you noticed? If you're expecting her compassion, you're wasting your time."

My chest felt tight, as if every breath was a titanic effort. Finally, I managed to articulate a weak plea. "Please... Julia... just... a little compassion..." The words were barely a whisper, but Julia heard them clearly. Her laughter was a sufficient response.

"Compassion? Oh, Samy, is that what you think you'll get here? Please." Julia crossed her arms and shook her head, enjoying my desperation.

Julia observed me for a moment longer before taking out her phone, pointing the camera at me once again. "You better get used to it. Because we still have a lot of fun ahead of us."

Suddenly, the mechanical sound of the elevator breaking the silence made my body tense. The doors opened slowly, and there was Megan, with her backpack slung over her shoulder, looking completely relaxed. My eyes fixed on the backpack, and a ray of hope crossed my mind. Are my things in there? Could this torment finally end?

Megan walked calmly towards her mother's car, stopping next to the passenger door. "Julia, Samy! Get in the car now!" Her tone was a mix of authority and amusement, making it clear she wouldn't tolerate delays.

Julia, with her backpack hanging casually from one shoulder, started walking towards the car with a calm stride, throwing me one last mocking glance before moving ahead. I, however, remained immobile, stuck to the column, with every muscle in my body screaming to stay where it was.

Megan turned her head towards me, and her expression hardened. "Samy, move! We don't have all day. If you don't come right now, I'll call a taxi and take the car keys with me. Your choice."

The fear of being trapped here, alone and without the keys, without clothes, without a phone, overcame any resistance I might have had. My body moved before my mind could process it, forcing me out of my hiding place. Each step towards the car was a struggle against humiliation and terror. What else can they do to me? I thought, feeling Julia and Megan's eyes fixed on me.

With every movement, it seemed like the world conspired to remind me of how defenseless and vulnerable I was. And yet, I had no other option but to obey.

Megan unlocked the car with a click, and the sound startled me. She calmly got into the passenger seat, closing the door with a confident slam. Julia, with her ever-amused expression, opened the back door and settled in with her backpack still on her shoulder. They both looked at me as I slid hunched into the car.

Finally, I reached the driver's door. My trembling hands pulled the handle, and I hastily got into the car, closing the door behind me with a bang. The relief of being at least partially covered flooded me for a brief second, but my breath was still ragged.

"Quick, give me my clothes," I blurted out, my voice desperate as I turned towards Megan, who was fixing her hair in the sun visor mirror.

"Which clothes, Samy?" Megan asked, her tone casual as she glanced at me.

"What do you mean, which clothes? The ones you went to get from Valeria's office!" I replied, my tone bordering on panic.

Megan looked directly at me, a malicious smile forming on her face. "I didn't go to get any clothes, Samy. I only went for the car keys. And you should be grateful I brought your cell phone." With a rough movement, she threw my phone onto the seat, right next to where I was sitting.

"But how am I going to get dressed? And how am I going to get into my house? Did you bring the keys to my apartment?" My voice broke as I tried to comprehend the magnitude of what I had just heard.

"Obviously not," Megan responded with a tone that mixed mockery and satisfaction. "Why would I bring you the keys to your apartment? Remember, you're going to 'take care of me'." She made exaggerated gestures with her hands, as if drawing quotes in the air. "Therefore, you're going to stay at my house. You don't need anything else, Samy."

The knot in my stomach tightened, and my hands instinctively wrapped around my body, trying to cover myself. "How can you say that? I can't stay like this. I need my things. I need my clothes." My words came out weak, almost a whisper.

Megan, without even blinking, pointed at the steering wheel with a casual gesture. "Go ahead, drive. Unless you'd rather have someone see you here, sitting like this."

My eyes scanned the interior of the car, searching for a solution I knew didn't exist. Julia, comfortably seated in the backseat, looked at me with a silent triumph. Megan watched me expectantly, as if enjoying every second of my indecision. The air inside the car seemed colder than usual, but the real chill came from the weight of my situation.

Finally, my trembling hand reached for the key in the ignition. The engine purred softly as it turned on, and I felt that with each passing second, I was sinking deeper into a reality from which there was no escape. I tried to calm my breathing as I fastened my seatbelt. The rough texture of the nylon against my bare skin sent shivers down my spine. It seemed like everything that touched my body reminded me of how vulnerable I was. I adjusted the seat and started driving without a set destination, feeling Megan and Julia's eyes on me, watching every move, every hesitation.

The silence was broken by Julia's voice. "It's really hot today. Can we turn on the air conditioning?" she asked casually, as if it were just any other day.

"Good idea," Megan added, and without waiting for my approval, she turned the air conditioning knob to maximum. A blast of cold air filled the car, hitting my skin with force and causing goosebumps to cover my entire body.

"Can we turn it down a bit?" I protested, my voice barely audible.

"Why? It's hot," Megan replied with a tone that made it clear she wasn't interested in my discomfort.

I swallowed hard, left the building, and focused on the road, my thoughts circling around the one question that really mattered. "Are we going to your house now?" I asked, hoping that somehow, this would end soon.

Megan let out a laugh. "To my house? I don't think that's a good idea. My mother is there, packing her bags. If you want her to see you like this, it's your decision."

Panic seized me. I couldn't face her mother in my current state. My mind raced to find an alternative, but every path seemed to lead to more embarrassment. Before I could think of a response, Julia spoke with a spark of excitement in her voice.

"We could go somewhere more entertaining to pass the time," she suggested. "How about we take Samy to the skating park? It's always full of kids practicing, and it would be fun to see her there."

The mere thought made my eyes widen. The skating park, located at the edge of the city, was a place teeming with teenagers showing off tricks on their skateboards, and families strolling nearby. It offered no chance of hiding.

"No!" I said quickly, my voice filled with desperation. "That's not a good idea!"

Julia and Megan exchanged a knowing look. Megan shrugged. "Why not? It's a perfect place to relax a bit while you decide what to do with yourself."

"Besides," Julia added with a malicious smile, "you can stay in the car if you prefer. Though, of course, that depends on us."

My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white from the tension. The sensation of the cold air hitting me still gave me goosebumps, but what chilled me the most was the idea of going to such a crowded place, surrounded by stares and comments.

"I can't do that," I said weakly, but I already knew my words meant nothing to them. Surely, the fate was decided, and the image of the skating park became clearer on the horizon of my mind.

"Well, Samy," Megan said with a tone that made me tense instantly. "Since you don't like the idea of the skating park, I have a better idea. We can go to the Interactive Fountain, the one where kids play with the water jets. At this hour, there shouldn't be almost anyone, it's barely past noon."

My breath caught for a second. The Interactive Fountain was famous in the city, a place where children splashed happily in the water on hot days while parents watched from nearby benches. Although Megan was right that it wasn't usually crowded at this hour, the idea of being there, exposed, was terrifying. My hands tightened on the steering wheel.

"Oh yes!" Julia exclaimed, lighting up as if Megan had suggested the most fun plan in the world. "That's the one next to the Walking Trail, right? I've always wanted to go there, but it's hard to get there alone by public transport. I like the idea."

The sound of their enthusiastic voices echoed my nightmare. How could they be so excited while I felt the whole world closing in on me? I couldn't let this happen, but my words were trapped in my throat, unable to escape. They are the ones deciding everything now. I'm just a spectator in my own life.

I drove through the streets on autopilot, my thoughts completely absent as I tried to find a way out of this. I knew it was wrong, that I should be in control, but the reality was I wasn't. They were making the plans, and I was just following along.

The roar of my stomach brought me back to the cruel reminder of my vulnerability. Julia and Megan burst into laughter at the sound.

"Wow, Samy! Was that your stomach again? I thought it was the car engine," Julia teased.

Megan turned to look at me, her expression a mix of mockery and fake apology. "Oh, right. Carla gave me your burger at the office, but I completely forgot. Sorry," she said, shrugging with an empty apology that made it obvious she didn't care at all.

I lowered my gaze to the steering wheel, unable to face their laughter. No matter what I do, they will always find a way to make me feel less, to remind me that I have no control here.

"So, what do you say, Samy?" Megan insisted with a hint of amusement. "Are we heading to the fountain, or do you prefer to decide? Oh, wait, I forgot you can't decide anything."

Julia burst into laughter at the comment, while I kept driving, unable to respond. Every mile we traveled made me feel closer to my ruin and further from any hope of regaining my dignity.

Arriving at the Interactive Fountain

With each turn of the steering wheel, my heart pounded harder, resonating in my ears like a frenzied drum. My skin was prickled by the intense cold of the air conditioning, and every gust seemed to amplify my vulnerability. The fabric of the seatbelt, though thin, felt like a rough rope against my skin, reminding me of my exposed state. I can't believe I'm still doing this.

Finally, I turned into the parking area in front of the Public Interactive Fountain. It was an open space with wide sidewalks and well-maintained pavement that reflected the sun's light almost blindingly. The tall metal columns holding the water jets were turned off, resting as if waiting for the children who usually played around them. However, there was no one there. The place was completely empty, except for a person crossing the street in the distance, walking purposefully towards a different destination, moving away from the park.

The space seemed immense, even more intimidating in its emptiness. The carefully aligned metal benches offered perfect views of the fountain. There were some young palm trees providing limited shade, and small flower beds decorated the park's perimeter. It was a site designed for joy, but for me, it felt like an open-air prison.

"Perfect!" Megan exclaimed from the back seat, breaking the heavy silence. Julia also got excited, clapping lightly as if we had just arrived at a dream destination.

"Samy, park there, next to that tree," Megan ordered, pointing to a strategic spot where the car would be partially hidden but with a good view of the fountain. My hands trembled as I turned the steering wheel, maneuvering slowly towards the place she had indicated.

Once parked, before I could even process what was happening, Megan leaned forward and took the ignition keys. "I'll take care of this," she said with a mischievous smile as she put the keys in her skirt pocket. Then, she opened the glove compartment and threw my cell phone inside, slamming it shut.

"Megan, wait! I need my phone," I protested in a stifled whisper, my voice breaking with nervousness. But Megan just looked at me with a raised eyebrow and an expression that clearly said, You have no say here, Samy.

"You don't need it," she said indifferently, while Julia let out a little laugh. "Just make sure you follow our instructions. Isn't that what you do best?"

Julia got out of the car enthusiastically, stretching under the sun as if she were about to enjoy a relaxing day.

"Come on, Samy," Megan said, opening her door. "We don't want you to miss out, do we?"

I froze, unable to move or speak. My throat was dry, and panic enveloped me like a suffocating cloud. What do I do? How do I get out of this? The girls were excited, but I was trapped in my own nightmare, and I knew the real ordeal was just beginning.

[mcenf]

Fearfully, I got out of the car and closed the door behind me, and almost immediately, I heard the unmistakable beep of the locking system activated by Megan. I turned my head abruptly towards her, my eyes wide open. Megan, with her characteristic mischievous smile, kept the key in her skirt pocket with a calmness that contrasted with my state of panic.

"You have nowhere to hide now, Samy," she said, narrowing her eyes mockingly.

My body reacted instinctively. I jumped towards the driver's door, pulling the handle desperately, but the system didn't give in. I tried again, this time more frantically, and all I achieved was feeling the echo of the lock resonating in my chest. My only refuge, the car, was now inaccessible.

I'm trapped again. Here. In another public park.

A shiver ran down my spine, not only because of the warm breeze caressing my bare skin but also due to the situation. Megan and Julia stood in front of me, with their backpacks still inside the car. Both seemed carefree, as if this were a casual outing. Megan took out her phone, pointing it towards me, while Julia laughed and leaned slightly to adjust the angle of her own photos.

"Come on, Samy! Stay still. I want a good photo to remember this moment!" Megan shouted between laughs.

I covered myself as best I could, turning my body sideways and hugging my arms against my chest while looking at the ground. Every click of the cameras was a direct blow to my dignity. My breathing quickened, my bare feet stirring the rough ground as I tried to move towards any direction.

Julia finished taking a couple of photos and started walking towards the turned-off fountains. Her enthusiasm was palpable.

"Come on! It's perfect. It's empty. Samy, don't worry, no one will see you here," she said in an almost childish tone, completely unaware of my desperation.

Megan, of course, didn't stay behind. She advanced alongside Julia, turning her head towards me.

"Samy, move. If you stay there, everyone on the street will see you. And believe me, you don't want that," she warned, mocking my stiffness.

Everyone on the street... I looked around. Although the place seemed deserted, a distant figure was crossing the street slowly, showing no apparent interest in the park. Their presence was enough to make me aware of my vulnerability. The breeze played with my messy hair and exposed legs, sending little shivers through my already tense body.

I walked with my head down, following the girls with the feeling that each step was a sentence. The park's silence didn't help; every sound I made, from the rustle of my feet to the crackle of a branch under my heels, amplified in my mind. As we approached the turned-off water fountains, I could see the wet, shiny pavement reflecting the clear sky. There were no children running or innocent laughter; the place seemed to have been abandoned by time.

Julia stopped at the edge of the fountains, pointing at the metal jets embedded in the ground.

"You know what would be funny, Megan? If we could turn on the water right now. Can you imagine Samy's face?" said Julia, laughing as she spun on her heels.

Megan, without taking her eyes off the phone that was recording me, let out a laugh that froze my blood.

"Oh, that would be epic. Let's check it out."

Both of them moved quickly towards a small control panel near the edge of the fountain area. It wasn't visible from where I was, but they seemed to already know exactly where to look. My heart started pounding as I watched them manipulate the panel, their laughter increasing as they exchanged teasing comments.

"Here it is!" exclaimed Julia, with the excitement of someone who had just found a treasure.

"Perfect, let's see what this does," Megan replied, pressing a button.

A low hum resonated in the air, followed by the characteristic sound of water running through underground pipes. Before I could process what was happening, jets of water started shooting out of the fountains with force, creating crystalline arcs that danced in the air before crashing onto the tiles. The sound was deafening in contrast to the silence of the empty park.

"Look at it! It's working!" Julia shouted, turning to observe my reaction.

The water formed a vibrant spectacle, but all I felt was a terrible cold emanating from the nearby splashes. My feet tensed up on the wet tiles, and I instinctively backed away, hugging my torso to cover myself as best I could.

"Come on, Samy!" Megan said, making a sweeping gesture towards the fountains. "Play around a bit. Relax. It's good for you."

"No! I can't!" I shouted, my voice almost drowned out by the sound of the water.

Julia, with her typical carefree attitude, crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"Don't be boring, Samy. Look how nice it is. Besides, after what you've been through today, this is the most harmless thing. A little water won't hurt you."

The cold air surrounding the fountains was already making me shiver, and the idea of stepping into those icy cascades terrified me. I shook my head, my eyes pleading with Megan to reconsider.

"Please, no... It's cold..." I tried to argue, but Megan raised an eyebrow, interrupting me.

"Samy, if you don't do it, what do you think will happen?" she asked, approaching slowly and deliberately. "Do you want us to find an audience to convince you? Julia and I could do that in the blink of an eye."

I felt the knot in my throat growing. I knew I wasn't in a position to refuse. My whole body was trembling, not just from the cold, but from the pressure of the situation.

"Okay..." I murmured, almost inaudibly.

Julia clapped as if she had just announced that she had won a prize.

"That's it! Now, come on in, Samy. Enjoy."

With clenched teeth and shaky legs, I moved towards the fountains. Each step on the wet tiles made me feel more exposed and vulnerable. When the first jet of water reached me, I let out a sharp squeal. It was freezing. It was as if someone had channeled water directly from a glacier.

"It's so cold!" I shouted, taking a step back, but Megan pointed at me with the phone.

"Don't stop, Samy. Go to the center."

The water hit my bare skin with an intensity I hadn't expected, and each new jet felt like a million icy needles piercing me. My feet slipped on the tiles as I tried to keep my balance.

Why is it so cold? My mind was full of questions, but there were no answers, only the constant pounding of the water and the girls' laughter behind me.

Julia, who had stopped recording for a moment to laugh out loud, shouted:

"Do something fun, Samy! Spin around or something."

I closed my eyes, trying to block out their voices and the sound of the water, but the icy sensation was inescapable. Every movement made the drops run down my skin like small liquid daggers. I turned slowly, raising my hands in an attempt to cover myself more from the water that continued to fall in all directions.

The water hit me with full force, each icy jet striking my skin as if it were a deliberate punishment. I shivered, a chill that started in my bare feet and traveled through every inch of my body, intensifying when the water hit my arms, back, and chest. It was as if the fountain was designed specifically to amplify my vulnerability.

The first impact of water on my face forced me to close my eyes and turn my head to the side. The icy drops slid down my neck and back, leaving a trail of intense cold that seemed to burn. My feet slipped slightly on the wet tiles, and each step I tried to take was an effort to keep my balance.

It's so cold, so freezing... My teeth started chattering, and my arms instinctively tried to cover myself, but it was useless. Water was coming from all directions, soaking me completely, sticking my hair to my face and back. I felt the wet strands, now heavy with water, adhering to my skin, increasing the feeling of discomfort.

"Look at her! She looks like a wet chicken," Megan shouted, her voice clear above the sound of the jets.

Julia burst out laughing and started walking in circles around the fountain, making sure to record from all angles.

"Samy, are you enjoying your impromptu spa?" she asked mockingly, taking a quick picture with her phone.

"Move a bit more! Make it more interesting!" Megan added, tilting her head to the side as she reviewed the phone screen.

Both of them remained at a calculated distance, out of the reach of the water jets. Their school uniforms were impeccably dry, and their faces glowed with an excitement that brutally contrasted with my state. They seemed to find endless amusement in my humiliation, while I felt smaller and smaller under the weight of their gaze and the relentless water.

The water now cascaded down my hair, dripping uncontrollably onto my face and chin, forming puddles around my bare feet. Each jet that hit my torso made me shudder, my muscles reacting involuntarily to the cold. I felt my arms tense up, and my breathing became shorter and shallower.

"That's it! More spins, Samy!" Julia shouted, crouching down to get a different angle while recording.

My lips curled into a grimace of discomfort, but I didn't dare to respond. I knew any attempt at resistance would only encourage them more. As I tried to push the wet hair out of my eyes, a new jet of water hit my face, forcing me to take a step back.

"Do you think she's thinking about her other coworkers?" Megan asked, turning to Julia with a mocking smile. "Can you imagine if they were here watching her right now?"

The comment was like a punch in the gut. My coworkers... My thoughts flew to the office, to my professional role, to the woman I was supposed to be, and they crashed against the reality of what was happening. Here I was, completely exposed and soaked, while two teenage girls were having fun at my expense.

I can't believe this is happening... My mind was filled with chaos, trying to find a way to end this, but each new burst of water and each laugh from them brought me back to reality.

Julia approached a little closer, carefully avoiding the wet tiles.

"Are you having fun, Samy?" she asked sarcastically, as she continued taking pictures.

"Oh, come on, Julia, did you see that face?" Megan said, laughing as she focused her phone.

"Yes, it looks like someone forgot how to have fun," Julia replied with feigned disappointment, taking more photos.

"It's a shame you're the only one not having a good time, Samy. But don't worry, we're having fun for you," Megan said, laughing hysterically while recording a close-up of Sam's clearly uncomfortable and frozen face.

But I couldn't. I had no strength or will to meet their expectations. I could only stand there, trembling, under the incessant flow of icy water, waiting for them to decide they had had enough. My entire body was crying out for shelter, but there was no escape.

The sound of water hitting the ground faded in my mind when, in the distance, my eyes fixed on a group of teenagers with different school uniforms than Megan and Julia's. They were walking towards the park, seemingly distracted, but every step they took towards our location increased my panic.

"No, no, it can't be!" I whispered, feeling my heart racing to the brink of hysteria.

I rushed out of the water jets as if my life depended on it; the cold no longer mattered. I desperately searched for a place to hide. Every corner seemed too exposed, every space too open. My bare feet stumbled over the uneven ground until I found a small sloped area covered in dry dirt. It wasn’t ideal, but I had no other choice.

I let myself fall onto the dirt, curling into a ball, hugging my knees tightly to my chest, my wet hair sticking to my face. The water still dripping from my body began to mix with the dirt, creating a rough and heavy sensation on my skin. Every movement I made only seemed to make things worse; the dirt clung to me as if trying to become a second skin.

My nails scratched at the dirt in an attempt to make myself smaller, but all I managed was to get tiny fragments embedded beneath them. I could feel the mud beginning to dry in my hair and on my back, a sensation as uncomfortable as it was humiliating. I was covered in filth, completely ruined.

From my position, I could see the boys greeting Megan and Julia amicably. Megan leaned towards them with her typical air of confidence, chatting as if I didn't exist, as if my miserable hiding place wasn't part of this nightmare.

I tried not to move, not to breathe. But the cold, the dirt, and the shame seemed like an unbearable weight. While they laughed and chatted, I was there, covered in mud and entangled in my own humiliation.

From my hiding place, with my body covered in dry earth and mud that clung to my skin as if it were a part of me, I watched with growing tension as Megan pointed out a nearby path to the boys. It seemed like the beginning of the trail Julia had mentioned earlier. The boys said goodbye to them with smiles and jokes before heading towards that spot, their laughter resonating as they walked away. Finally... I thought with a lump in my throat, although I still couldn't relax completely.

Megan and Julia walked towards where I was hiding. As soon as they arrived, they looked me up and down and burst out laughing with a cruelty that pierced me.

"Samy, what a mess!" Megan exclaimed, laughing, as she observed me with a mocking expression. "You look like a mud figure, maybe we could sell you as modern art."

Julia, with the phone already in hand, didn't waste any time and started recording me immediately. "Look at this, Megan. What a pathetic sight. A professional engineer curled up like a squashed bug."

"Please, stop!" I murmured, my voice barely audible, as I tried to cover myself a little more. The dirt on my hands and arms made the simple act of protecting myself feel even more humiliating.

"Samy, you can't stay like this," Julia said with a malicious smile. "You're absolutely filthy. Look at that mud. You should clean up. Why don't you go back to the water jets? Come on, you need to clean up."

My eyes moved quickly towards the path, making sure the boys were no longer nearby. Please, don't let them come back, don't let them come back, I repeated internally, with every muscle in my body on alert. Finally, when I was sure there was no immediate danger, I slowly got up in the moment, stood up from my improvised shelter. The earth fell from my body in small piles, leaving even more visible marks on my wet, sticky skin.

With faltering steps, I headed back towards the water jets. Every movement was a reminder of how sticky and disgusting I felt, and the cold air on my skin worsened my discomfort. Once under the icy water jets, the mud began to slide off my body, but the intense cold made me shiver violently. I felt the drops like tiny pinpricks as they tried to clean the impossible.

From a distance, Megan and Julia's laughter was unmistakable. Julia continued recording, while Megan gave her ideas for angles or comments that would make the moment even more humiliating. Finally, when the water stopped and I was completely soaked once again, Julia lowered her phone and spoke enthusiastically.

"You know, Megan? I've always wanted to walk down that path. Now that we're here, it's the perfect opportunity."

I felt my blood freeze in my veins at her words. My eyes widened as I looked at them in disbelief. "No... we can't... we can't go there," I said, trying to keep my voice firm, though I was trembling from cold and embarrassment. "It's... absurd."

Megan smiled broadly, with that expression that indicated she had made up her mind. "A little exercise will do you good, Samy. Besides, with all that water and mud, the fresh air will dry you off a bit, don't you think?"

"It doesn't seem like a bad plan," Julia added casually. "Besides, I want to see what's ahead. I'm sure you're curious too."

"Please, no," I begged, my voice barely a thread. But I knew I had no options. As always, they had already decided, and I was just a piece in their cruel game.

"Girls, please, wait. I'm begging you," I pleaded, my voice quivering as much as my body was as I lagged behind. The words barely escaped my lips, drowned out by the sound of Megan and Julia's laughter, who, completely ignoring me, started walking towards the path with a light and carefree stride.

I had no options. I knew it. If I stayed behind, I would be completely exposed and alone, without any refuge in a park that had already humiliated me enough. With a trembling sigh and the cold seeping into my bones, I began to follow them.

Each step was a reminder of my vulnerability. The sensation of the icy water on my skin made every breeze feel like a sharp stab, amplifying the discomfort. My bare, wet, and slightly sore feet touched the ground cautiously. At first, it was flat and soft terrain, but as we progressed, the texture changed.

The damp and plush grass gave way to a path of gravel and earth. Small stones dug into the soles of my feet, forcing me to walk more carefully, as I felt every grain of sand sticking to my wet skin. This is torture... I thought, biting my lips to keep from complaining further. Each time my foot stepped on a dry branch, the crunch resonated too loudly, as if betraying my presence in the uncomfortable silence that now surrounded me.

As I lifted my gaze, I saw the beginning of the path. A slight incline rose before us, as if challenging me even more. It was a winding path surrounded by tall trees, whose branches seemed to whisper with the wind. The sun, though present, barely managed to penetrate the foliage, creating a play of shadows that made everything feel more oppressive. In the distance, the path stretched towards an unknown destination, disappearing among the trees.

Megan and Julia continued walking at a leisurely pace, chatting between themselves and letting out giggles from time to time. Their backpacks were comfortably stored in the car, all my clothes were in Valeria's office, and their perfectly polished shoes allowed them to walk with ease. In contrast, I shivered from the cold and embarrassment, fully aware of how my state contradicted theirs. My legs felt heavy as I climbed the slope, and the water still dripping from my wet hair ran down my forehead, mixing with the sweat that the physical effort was starting to produce.

The path was uneven, and sometimes my feet stumbled upon roots protruding from the ground. Each stumble made my heart skip a beat, as if expecting the echo of my movements to attract someone's attention. I nervously looked around, making sure the path was deserted. The last thing I needed was to come across someone else in this nightmare.

The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and dry leaves, a fragrance that I would normally find relaxing, but now only accentuated my discomfort. Each step caused the mud on my skin to dry a little more, leaving a tight and rough sensation that reminded me of how far I was from feeling comfortable. My hands instinctively tried to cover myself, but it was impossible to maintain my dignity.

"What's the matter, Samy? Hurry up! You're going to make us reach the end of the path by nightfall," Julia shouted, turning to look at me with a mocking smile. Megan, who was walking a few steps ahead, joined in the laughter, her eyes full of amusement.

I didn't respond. I couldn't. I just clenched my teeth and tried to focus on moving forward, feeling how the incline of the path became more pronounced. The ground was now rockier, and my feet felt each stone as a sharp prick. This is horrible, it gets worse every step...

In the distance, the girls' voices continued to echo, light and carefree, while I struggled with each step, feeling as if I were being pushed further and further into an inescapable abyss.

The incline of the path became steeper with every step I took, and my body seemed to cry out in protest. My feet, bare and raw, were already bleeding from the gravel and stones that dug into them with each movement. Despite this, I kept going, forcing myself to ignore the pain and discomfort. One more step. Just one more step, I told myself over and over, as if those words could ease the torment of my situation.

Megan and Julia continued walking a few meters ahead, completely oblivious to my suffering, or rather, enjoying it. Amidst giggles, Julia turned her phone towards me, making sure to record every stumble, every expression of discomfort I showed. Megan laughed along with her, their cackles resonating in the dense air of the path.

"Come on, Samy! Are you that tired? Megan taunted, slowing down a bit to look at me. "It seems this path is made for real explorers, not someone like you."

"Yes, Samy! Do it for the camera! Look how brave you look," Julia added, letting out a guffaw as she focused on me with her phone.

Their words cut through me like knives. I couldn't respond. I couldn't defend myself. I could only keep walking, my legs trembling and my breath ragged from the effort and cold. My feet sank into the damp earth filled with dry leaves, and branches scratched my arms as I tried to stay safe on the uneven terrain.

Suddenly, a noise in the distance made me stop in my tracks. A crunch, as if someone were stepping on leaves or branches, broke the silence of the path. My heart skipped a beat.

Is there someone else here?

I nervously looked around, searching for the source of the sound, but the dense forest on either side of the path prevented me from seeing beyond a few meters. The wind whispered through the trees, causing the shadows to dance and my imagination to run wild.

"What now, Samy? Scared by a bird?" Megan asked, continuing to walk. Julia, on the other hand, looked in my direction and let out a giggle while continuing to record.

Without responding, I decided to seek refuge, even if momentarily. I spotted a thick tree a few meters off the path and knew it was my only option. If someone appeared, I could hide behind its trunk.

But getting there wasn't easy. The area around the tree was filled with protruding roots and fallen branches. My feet protested when I stepped on a sharp stick that, although it didn't seriously hurt me, left a persistent pain. I crouched down and walked even slower, using my hands to push aside branches that seemed to multiply as I advanced.

Each step was a new challenge. The dry mud on the ground mixed with the damp leaves, causing my feet to slip and get even dirtier. The rough texture of the roots against my skin made me feel like each movement was a punishment. Finally, I reached the tree and curled up behind its trunk, pressing my knees to my chest as I tried to control my breathing.

The noise had faded away. What if someone appears suddenly? What if they see me? What would I do? The questions filled me with panic, and my body trembled, both from the cold and fear.

"Where are you, Samy? Don't hide! This isn't a game of hide-and-seek," Julia shouted from the path, her tone dripping with mockery.

I knew I couldn't stay there for long. If I delayed more, the girls would probably come looking for me, and the idea of being dragged back to the path while they recorded me seemed even more humiliating.

With my heart pounding, I slowly stood up, using the tree trunk for support. My legs were weak, and my feet were burning, but I couldn't stop. Julia and Megan were ahead, waiting for me and undoubtedly enjoying every second of my suffering. I took a deep breath and returned to the path, forcing myself to walk towards them as I bit my lip to hold back my tears.

"There you are! I thought you had gotten lost," Megan said, smiling with false innocence. Julia let out another guffaw and raised her phone. "Come on, Samy. There's still a long way to go."

Exiting the small refuge behind the tree was a challenge in itself. The branches that had scratched me upon entering seemed to multiply as I retreated down the path. I felt every damp leaf and dry stick brush against my wet skin, as if they were constant reminders of my state. My feet sank into the loose earth, leaving footprints that seemed to scream my vulnerability to the world.

When I finally returned to the path, my legs were already trembling from sheer exhaustion. In the distance, Megan and Julia advanced calmly, their laughter resonating in the air as if they were on a casual stroll. For me, however, each step was torture. The dry earth mixed with small pebbles that dug into my bare soles, forcing me to constantly adjust my stride to avoid greater pain.

Why doesn't this end? I'm so exposed, soaked, and so ashamed. My thoughts churned as I tried to maintain my pace. With every meter I advanced, I felt even further from the car, the only place that offered even a semblance of refuge. But even there, without keys, without control, my fate was in the hands of these girls who seemed to enjoy my humiliation more than anything else.

The path began to open up a bit, revealing more details of its design. The trees were tall, with branches that formed an irregular canopy, letting through patches of light in whimsical shapes. The edges of the path were delimited by low, thorny shrubs that seemed intent on brushing my skin every time I got too close. Further ahead, the path began to descend, and the terrain became even more challenging.

Megan and Julia stopped and looked back. Megan raised an eyebrow and pointed towards me with a mocking smile.

"Come on, Samy! Don't fall behind. The path is just beginning," she said as she continued walking. Julia, as always, took the opportunity to record a short video of me struggling to keep my balance.

"You walking? It's just a bit of dirt, Samy. Surely it's not that hard," Julia added, laughing.

I didn't respond. I didn't have the strength or the will to do so. My feet, covered in sweat and dirt, slipped with each step. The descent of the path was steep in some sections, and the lack of traction only made things worse. I found myself clinging to low branches to avoid falling, although these left marks on my arms that hurt upon contact with my wet skin.

The sweat began to mix with the mud that still remained on my body from the previous hideout, forming a sticky layer that made every movement feel uncomfortable. I could feel the heat of the sun on my back, although the occasional breeze between the trees made my skin bristle.

Finally, the path inclined even more, and I had to stop for a moment to catch my breath. I looked ahead, seeing Megan and Julia laughing and pointing at something in the distance.

"This is great, Samy! See how far we've come?" Megan looked at me with a smile. "Well, at least for us. You barely manage to stay on your feet."

The earth under my feet felt slippery, almost as if it was pushing me down without my consent. I felt myself losing balance several times, my arms flailing in the air to stabilize myself. But each time I managed to stay upright, I felt a little more exhausted. I can't take it anymore. This is too much. If I fall now... I tried to block that thought from my mind, but the fear persisted.

The sweat continued dripping down my forehead, mixing with the cold water that still hadn't dried completely. My hair was stuck to my face and neck, and every time I tried to push it aside, my wet and dirty hands only made the situation worse.

When I finally caught up to them, they turned towards me with expressions of pure entertainment. Megan observed me up and down, and a smile spread across her face.

"You look like a real explorer, Samy," she commented, though her tone was laden with sarcasm.

Julia, for her part, took out her phone and took another picture without even asking for permission.

I couldn't even muster the energy to respond to them. My mind was focused on one thing: how much further did they plan to take me? And even worse, will I have to return by this same path?

The itching started as a slight tingle on my thigh, but soon transformed into a sting that made me let out a small squeal and instinctively take a step back. I brought my hand to the spot, trying to soothe the itch, but only managed to irritate it further.

"Ah! Damn mosquitoes," I muttered under my breath, but loud enough for Megan and Julia to hear.

"Mosquitoes? Oh, poor Samy," Megan said, letting out a laugh. "I think you're a luxury buffet for them today."

"At least they're eating something," Julia added with a mischievous smile. "Unlike you, who still have an empty stomach. Maybe they're doing you a favor."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I tried to ignore the girls' laughter. Of course, this is what I needed. Naked, unprotected, now even the insects are taking advantage. I tried to cover myself more, though I knew it was pointless. Every inch of my skin was an easy target for the mosquitoes, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Then, I saw it. The path ended abruptly at a wooden suspension bridge crossing a small stream. The crystal-clear water sparkled under the sun's rays, and the sound of the flowing water was almost relaxing... if it weren't for the fact that I knew I had to cross that bridge. My eyes widened, and my heart started pounding.

"Oh, look at her. She saw it already!" Julia exclaimed, pointing her phone at me to record my reaction. "Samy, it's just a bridge. It's not going to bite you."

"I'm not so sure," Megan added with a mocking smile. "She looks pretty scared."

I didn't say anything at first, but I took a step back, shaking my head. "I... I can't cross that," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

"What?" Megan turned to me, feigning incredulity. "Don't tell me you're afraid of suspension bridges?"

"It's just... I don't feel comfortable..." I stammered, searching for words to justify my resistance.

"It's official! Samy is afraid of a bridge," Julia said, letting out a laugh that echoed in the air. "This is pure gold."

Megan didn't hold back either. "You know what's the best part? It's not just about crossing a bridge. It's made of wood, sturdy, safe... Well, safe for us. But you... with those bare feet, all naked and trembling as you are, it might be a whole adventure for you, but be careful not to slip."

"I'm not crossing it," I finally said, more firmly, though my voice still trembled.

"Yes, you are," Megan replied, stepping closer to me with a determined look. "Or would you rather we go back the way we came and leave you alone in the middle of the path while Julia and I keep having fun?"

My breath quickened, trapped between two equally terrifying options. The idea of going back and being left alone, keyless and vulnerable to anyone who might show up, chilled me. But facing the crossing of that suspension bridge in my naked state wasn't much better; the weight of my fears seemed too much for my small body.

"Come on, Samy," Julia insisted, mocking. "What's the worst that could happen? This bridge looks very safe."

I looked at the bridge once more. The wood seemed stable, but each plank had small gaps between them, and I could see the water running beneath. Every time a breeze moved the leaves of the trees, the bridge swayed slightly, as if it were a veiled threat. This is a nightmare, I thought, feeling my legs starting to tremble.

"Come on! One foot in front of the other," said Megan, giving me a little nudge towards the bridge.

"No, wait!" I protested, but my body was already a few steps from the entrance.

"Come, Samy. If you don't cross, I think we could call those guys from the path. They'd surely be delighted to help you," said Julia, making the fear inside me turn into pure panic.

Without options, I placed a trembling foot on the first plank of the bridge. The wood was hot from the sun, but my wet feet made it feel slippery. I gripped the side ropes tightly, feeling every vibration as the bridge moved under my weight.


"That's it, Samy. One more step!" Megan said, while both girls remained firm on the other side, completely comfortable and secure, recording each of my movements.

With each step I took, the bridge swayed slightly, and my breathing became more shallow. Don't look down, I repeated to myself, but it was inevitable. The water ran under my feet, and each space between the planks reminded me of how exposed I was. When I finally reached the middle of the bridge, I stopped, unable to move.

"Keep going, Samy! Don't just stand there, or we'll end up losing the day," Julia shouted, laughing.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to gather enough courage to move forward. My hands were so tense on the ropes that I could feel the marks they left on my skin. With a final effort, I took another step, praying that the bridge would hold until I reached the other side.

My fingers clung tightly to the side ropes of the bridge, and my bare feet, still slippery from the water of the fountains, slid slightly over the planks. Each step seemed like an insurmountable challenge, and every time the bridge swayed under my weight, a wave of panic washed over me from head to toe. The humiliation of being in my current state, combined with my phobia of suspension bridges, made me feel as if I were trapped in an endless nightmare.

"Oh, look! She's shaking like a leaf," said Julia, her laughter resonating like constant mockery. "Samy, if you keep this up, you'll make the bridge fall."

"I can't..." I stammered, my voice barely audible as my breathing quickened. This can't be happening. This can't be real.

Megan took a step forward, but not to help me; instead, she did it to increase my torment. "How high up are we, do you think? What if the bridge breaks? Can you imagine falling into the water? Though, thinking about it, it might be fun to watch you try." Her tone was laced with disguised cruelty.

"No! Please, don't do this," I begged, my words drowned by the knot forming in my throat. But they had no intention of stopping.

"Let's make this more interesting," said Julia, as she started to sway slightly from side to side, causing the bridge to oscillate more vigorously. Megan, of course, joined in on the game, laughing as the bridge moved beneath their feet.

"Please, stop!" I cried between sobs, my legs trembling so much that I could barely stand. "Stop it! I'm going to fall!"

My words only made them laugh harder. "Samy, don't be dramatic," Megan said. "It's just a bit of fun. Besides, if you fall, the water is probably cold. Don't you like taking dips?" Although it was all a game to them, for me, it was a completely serious matter.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks. It wasn't just the fear of the bridge, or the constant swaying, or even the humiliation of being completely naked. It was everything. It had all accumulated into a torrent of emotions that I could no longer contain. My body trembled uncontrollably, not only from panic but also from the sensation of absolute vulnerability.

"Oh, she's crying!" Julia exclaimed, stopping to observe me. "This is too much. Samy, seriously, you should relax a bit."

"Relax... of course!" I thought, but I didn't dare say it aloud. The rough ropes of the bridge scraped my palms, and the swaying continued, albeit less intensely.

Finally, Megan seemed to lose interest in her cruel game. "Come on, Julia. If we keep bothering her, we'll be here all day. And we don't have time for that. Let's go."

With the same indifference with which they had started, both girls walked to the end of the bridge, leaving me to fight my fears alone. Each step I took was a monumental effort, and although they were only a few meters away, it was clear they weren't going to help me.

"Hurry up, Samy," said Julia without even looking at me. "We don't want to spend all day waiting for you to finish crossing."

My feet moved clumsily over the planks, my body still trembling. Each step was a mix of relief at being closer to the other side and terror that the bridge might sway again. Finally, with one last effort, I reached the end and dropped to my knees, not caring how dirty the ground was.


Megan looked down at me, her arms crossed and a mocking smile on her face. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" she said disdainfully.

I didn't respond. My tears kept falling, and my body trembled so much that I couldn't utter a word. I just wanted it to end. I wanted to get my clothes back, my dignity, and, more than anything, I wanted to disappear.

My heart kept pounding in my chest as if trying to escape my body. Each beat seemed to remind me of what had just happened: the laughter, the swaying bridge, the humiliating tears. Despite now being on solid ground, my body was still trembling, and my legs felt like they would collapse at any moment. I need to regain control. This can't go on. But it was a lie I couldn't even believe.

As I tried to stabilize my breathing, Megan and Julia kept moving forward as if the bridge had been nothing more than a brief distraction for them. "Look at that, Julia," Megan said, pointing to what seemed to be the entrance to a botanical garden. "I didn't know there was one here."

"How cute! Let's explore," Julia responded excitedly, without even looking back to see if I could follow.

My bare, sensitive feet sank with each step into the uneven ground. The girls, completely unaware of my misery, eagerly advanced towards the garden. As I got closer, I saw a wooden arch decorated with ivy marking the entrance. Inside, the space opened up into a mix of gravel and dirt paths surrounded by lush vegetation.

The garden wasn't particularly large, but in my current state, it felt endless. Winding paths extended in different directions, flanked by vibrantly colored flowers, perfectly trimmed shrubs, and small trees offering partial shade. A fountain in the center of the space made a relaxing sound, but to me, it was just a reminder of my own discomfort. The air was filled with a floral scent, pleasant to anyone but someone who felt as out of place as I did.

This feels like a labyrinth.

"It's smaller than I thought, but well-maintained," Megan commented as she took out her phone to take a picture. Julia leaned towards a yellow flower and examined it closely before turning to me.

"Don't you think it's beautiful, Samy? You should relax a bit," she said with a malicious smile. "You could lie down on the grass and enjoy the sun." They both laughed at the idea, while I looked around, desperately searching for a place where I could feel less exposed.

The tall plants and small stone walls seemed to promise some privacy, but I knew that was just an illusion. The garden was open, and the girls kept moving, exploring every corner as if they had all the time in the world.

With each step, the gravel under my feet felt like an additional punishment. The moisture on my skin made the small stones stick to me, and the sensation was unbearable. Every touch, every little pressure, reminded me that I had nothing, not even a simple protection.

The winding path continued, leading us to a denser area of vegetation. The bushes here were closer together, and some trees rose taller, blocking part of the sun. Megan and Julia talked among themselves, seemingly amazed by the "picturesque" nature of the place, while I followed behind, like a shy shadow.

"Look at that statue!" Julia exclaimed, pointing to the center of a small clearing where a white marble figure, probably a nature deity, stood. They approached to observe it more closely, while I stayed at the edge of the clearing, too aware of my vulnerability to get any closer.

How much longer can this go on? I thought, feeling trapped in a place that, although small, seemed infinite in my state. The girls kept exploring, and I had no choice but to follow, each step a reminder of my complete helplessness.

My eyes fixed on the exit on the other side of the garden. It seemed so distant that I doubted I could ever reach it. As Julia and Megan disappeared among the bushes and trees, I kept counting my steps, hoping this endless feeling would finally end.

[Debbifan]

Wonderful chapters as always. I look forward to each new one. But just one query in chapter 18. Is a small part missing ? Sam is under the water jets in the fountain and sees Megan and Julia approaching some boys but then apparently she is suddenly hiding somewhere but it isn't explained exactly where and how she got there ?

[mcenf]

Wonderful chapters as always. I look forward to each new one. But just one query in chapter 18. Is a small part missing ? Sam is under the water jets in the fountain and sees Megan and Julia approaching some boys but then apparently she is suddenly hiding somewhere but it isn't explained exactly where and how she got there ?

Thanks for your comment! Could you let me know roughly from which paragraph this happens? That way, I can review it and check if something’s missing. I really appreciate you pointing it out!

Note: I think I’ve found it, and I’ve already added the part that was missing. Thanks!!

[Hooked6]

Great additions. I loved that Sammy was made to be nude at the water park and spotted the teenagers from a rival school approaching Julie and the girls. Interesting to see if they spot them on their journey.

Good stuff!

Hooked6

[Fixitman8267]

I have read both Amy and Samantha's stories. While I love ENF and NIP stories I detest bullying. I am grateful that my daughter, also named Megan, is nothing like your Megan. I would wear her ass out with a belt.

What I will never understand is why they keep letting her do these things to them. It would have been better to allow the original pictures (for Amy) to get out. Megan would have been arrested for child pornography, the pictures would have been taken down, and Amy would have been able to move on even if she had to move to a new school. But then that wouldn't have made such a great story. I love to read about Amy's challenges. I would love to have had the courage to run around my high school naked. That would have been an excellent adventure.

As for Samantha, she has a few great adventures as well. If not for the blackmail, the adventures could be thrilling because they would be something Amy and Samantha do willingly while trying not to get arrested. However, I will forgive you for the criminal blackmail since the awesomeness of the naked adventures far outweigh Megan's felony.

It is difficult enough to find a story worth reading that isn't replete with grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. Finding one that is worth reading that doesn't have some element that the reader doesn't like is also rare, so I have learned to overlook certain elements to otherwise enjoy a good story.

The thing is, as a bored teenager, I did some of the things Amy and Samantha did. I would streak around my town in the hopes of not getting arrested. I got caught a few times but, thankfully, not by the cops. That's one of the things I love about Amy and Samantha's stories; I truly identify with the characters.