My entire body went rigid with shock.

I could not move. I could not breathe.

I turned off the shower and the entire bathroom fell into a heavy silence.

Even the faint hum of the fluorescent lights seemed to fade away.

"Hello? What is going on? Are you okay in there?" the woman in the stall beside us said, her voice more insistent this time.

I stayed silent.

A shudder ran through my legs, and a cold dread crept up my spine. My pulse hammered in my ears as panic set in.

I pushed weakly ...