The Stowaway | Part 1 | Lalo Cortez

Description: The air in the gym was heavy, thick with the metallic clanging of weight plates and raw effort. to me, that place wasn't just a gym; it was a valley of titans where the floor shook with every step. from my hiding spot under the machines, i watched lalo. he wasn’t just a man; he was a giant of nature. his arms looked like tree trunks carved out of stone, and the sweat dripping down his muscles glistened under the cold overhead lights. when the workout was over, i followed him quietly to the locker room area. as he went into the stall, i crept up to the crack in the bathroom door. what i saw was terrifying and fascinating: lalo’s feet were massive, like the pillars of a temple. suddenly, he shifted to adjust his position, and one of his heels came down just inches from where i was. the rush of air almost knocked me over, and the impact made the tile vibrate under my feet. for a second, i saw in the form of a giant shoe sole, but luck was on my side. i backed away, shaking, but determined. when he came out and grabbed his canvas bag, i saw my chance. driven by an impulse that even fear couldn’t stop, i bolted and dove into his gym clothes. the world went dark all of a sudden as the zipper closed. i wasn’t just an observer anymore; now, i was an infiltrator on my way to the giant’s house…