Past the changing room entrance. Past the towel rack. Into the facility itself — the warm, mineral-dense air of the space hitting him immediately, the temperature jump of ten degrees, the steam rising from the two large pools and the series of smaller private baths along the far wall.
An attendant appeared from the left.
"Sir, you cannot enter without—"
He sidestepped.
Another from the right, moving to intercept—
He ducked into the gap between a partition wall and the first private bath cabinet, pressed himself against the tile, and heard the attendants' footsteps pass within three feet of him before they continued their sweep toward the far side of the facility.
He held still.
His chest was heaving.
Not from the run.
