Veronica let out a muffled noise, squirming again, but this time, it wasn’t to escape. It was to explore. To see what her new form could do.
Veronica shifted in her bindings, testing how much movement she still had. The suit hugged her tightly, and now the restraints didn’t feel like something separate—they felt integrated. Every tiny motion sent a shiver through her, like the suit was responding to her instincts.
Daniel flipped through the book again. “Okay, so ‘The Captured Cat’ is supposed to be the ultimate escape artist, but… it says here the trick isn’t just about escaping.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms. “Then what is it about?”
Daniel hesitated before reading aloud. “‘Once the assistant is bound and transformed, they must discover the escape, not just attempt it. Their instincts will guide them—but only if they accept the role fully.’”
Elizabeth smirked. “So basically, Veronica wants to be locked up.”
Veronica let out a muffled protest, but the glowing seams of the suit pulsed faintly, betraying her.
Elizabeth grinned. “Oh, she definitely likes this.”
Daniel chuckled. “Well, like it or not, she’s gotta figure this one out herself. No hints.” He closed the book and leaned against the side of the vault. “Whenever you’re ready, Cat.”
Veronica huffed through the gag but closed her eyes. If she had to play this game, she’d do it on her own terms.
She focused on the feeling of the suit, the way it seemed to guide her movements. Slowly, she twisted her wrists, flexed her fingers. The restraints didn’t resist her—they responded to her.
She shifted her legs, feeling the stretch of the fishnets against her skin. Every motion sent another ripple of sensation through her, but it wasn’t overwhelming—it was empowering.
A realization dawned on her. This wasn’t just about breaking free. This was about mastering the role.
The Captured Cat wasn’t just an escape artist—she was a performer.
Veronica took a deep breath and started working the locks.
Elizabeth and Daniel watched in anticipation as she moved with precise, deliberate motions. The glow of the suit pulsed with every shift, every flex.
Then—click.
One of the manacles snapped open. Then another.
Daniel and Elizabeth exchanged glances.
Veronica worked faster now, her instincts fully engaged. The suit wasn’t just a costume—it was an extension of herself.
With a final twist, she unlatched the last binding and stood up, free at last.
She pulled the gag from her mouth and smirked. “Well, that was… different.”
Elizabeth grinned. “You loved it.”
Veronica rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the lingering excitement in her expression. “Shut up.”
Daniel flipped the book closed. “Well, congratulations. You’re officially The Captured Cat.”
Veronica looked down at herself, the glowing seams of her suit still pulsing faintly. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad role after all.
Daniel skimmed through the book, flipping to the next section of The Captured Cat routine. His eyes widened slightly before he let out a low whistle. “Okay… this next part is called The Drowning Escape.”
Veronica crossed her arms. “That doesn’t sound promising.”
Elizabeth, grinning, leaned over to look at the book. “Oh, this sounds dramatic.”
Daniel nodded. “It says here that The Captured Cat has to be placed inside a water tank—completely bound. The escape artist only has a limited time before the water fills to the top.” He glanced at Veronica. “It’s a full submersion act. Classic Houdini-style, but with a twist.”
Veronica’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of twist?”
Daniel read further. “‘The assistant, now fully in tune with the role, will adapt to the situation. Their instincts will determine how they escape—if they escape.’” He tapped the page. “It’s designed so the performer thinks they’re running out of time, but the trick is in trusting the suit and how it guides them.”
Veronica folded her arms, shifting slightly in her catsuit. That shiver from earlier returned, stronger this time. The suit wanted her to do this.
Elizabeth nudged her. “Come on, Cat. You’re practically built for this now.”
Veronica exhaled through her nose. “Fine. But if I actually drown, I’m haunting both of you.”
Daniel grinned. “Noted.”
He turned to the corner of the storage unit, where a tall, reinforced glass tank stood, covered in a heavy cloth. With a dramatic motion, he pulled the cover off, revealing the tank’s sealed interior.
Elizabeth clapped. “Oh, this is perfect.”
Daniel opened the side hatch. “Alright, Cat. Time to test your skills.”
Veronica hesitated only a moment before stepping forward. The suit pulsed again, as if eager for her to begin.
She swallowed hard. “Let’s get this over with.”
The moment Veronica stepped into the tank, a series of heavy metal restraints snapped shut around her wrists, ankles, and waist, locking her firmly to the base of the tank. She gasped, instinctively pulling against them, but they held tight.
“What the hell—” she started, but before she could finish, a loud clank echoed through the room.
The water valves had opened.
Cold water began pouring into the tank from hidden pipes along the sides. At first, it was just a trickle, but within seconds, the flow increased, rising rapidly around her legs.
Veronica struggled, twisting her wrists and yanking at the restraints. “Guys! A little heads-up next time!”
Elizabeth, watching intently from the side, leaned forward. “It’s part of the act, right?”
Daniel, still flipping through the book, muttered, “Yeah, yeah, she’s got to figure out the escape before the tank fills completely. The suit should be guiding her.” He paused and glanced up. “Uh… is it guiding you?”
Veronica clenched her teeth. The shivers from earlier were back—stronger now. The catsuit wasn’t panicking. If anything, it was calm.
The water reached her knees. Then her waist.
She took a slow breath, steadying herself.
The suit wants me to escape.
But how?
As Veronica struggled against the restraints, more mechanical arms emerged from hidden compartments within the tank, snapping additional bindings into place. Thick leather straps wrapped tightly around her upper arms and thighs, securing her further. Metal clamps locked around her fingers, preventing her from easily manipulating any locks or tools she might have had hidden.
Then, with a deep clunk, the glass lid of the tank swung shut, sealing her inside.
A series of heavy locks engaged with an ominous thud-thud-thud, securing the lid in place. The hiss of pressurized seals followed, ensuring there was no way to open it from the inside.
Veronica’s heart pounded as she tested her movement. Every attempt to shift was met with unyielding resistance. She could barely budge.
Elizabeth stepped closer to the tank, pressing a hand against the glass. “Okay, that’s… a lot of restraints.”
Daniel, flipping through the book, muttered, “This is all still part of the trick… I think.” He squinted at the page. “Uh… it says she has to escape before the water fills completely, or…” He hesitated.
“Or what?” Elizabeth shot him a look.
“Or she gets transformed into something that can escape more easily.”
Inside the tank, Veronica's eyes widened. The water had reached her chest, and she had no way to move.
The catsuit shivered against her skin.
Then, something changed.
Chapter Nineteen: Veronica becomes the Captured Cat.
Chapter Eighteen: The Living Dummy
Chapter Seventeen: Spilt switch and back again.
Chapter Sixteen: The Heist goes wrong, oh my.
Chapter Fifteen: Preparing for the Heist
Chapter Fourteen: Introducing The Transposition Trick
Chapter Thirteen: Stretching, Spikes and Shackles.
Chapter Twelve: Blades and Misalignment
Chapter Eleven: Veronica finds her suit
Chapter Ten: The Lockup. Veronica gets a glow up
Chapter Nine: Compacting Veronica
Chapter Eight: Pancakes and inflating balloons
Chapter Seven: But wait, there's more!
Chapter Four: One becomes two, two become one