Stella Accused Of Locker Room Sabotage — Then Security Camera Footage Exposes The Real Culprit

Chapter 10 — Justice Is Served In The Arena Locker Room — Then Stella Clears Her Name For Good

Coach Vance reached out and took the folded paper from Brooke’s fingers.

He unfolded it with slow, deliberate movements.

It was the official roster draft for the upcoming regional tournament.

Stella’s name was printed clearly at the top of the first line.

Brooke’s name had been written in pencil underneath, then crossed out and rewritten further down the list.

Coach Vance folded the paper in half and tucked it into his own clipboard.

“You’re off the active roster, Brooke,” Coach Vance said.

“Effective immediately.”

Brooke opened her mouth as if to protest.

She looked at Coach Vance’s expression and closed her mouth again.

“Head to the administration office right now,” Coach Vance instructed.

“We will handle the disciplinary hearing with the board tomorrow morning.”

Brooke grabbed her bag off the bench.

She kept her eyes glued to the rubber flooring.

She walked past Coach Vance without another word and pushed through the double doors out into the hallway.

The heavy metal doors swung shut behind her with a dull thud.

Marcus turned around and faced Stella.

“I am sorry, Stella,” Marcus said, his voice entirely sincere.

“We let our judgment get clouded by those false reports.”

Coach Vance nodded in agreement.

“You handled this with a lot of patience,” Coach Vance added.

“We owe you an apology.”

“Thank you, Coaches,” Stella said.

Marcus walked over to the side bench.

He picked up Stella’s pro-grade skates from where he had laid them.

He handed the skates back to her with both hands.

Stella took them and checked the blades.

They were completely undamaged.

The neon laces were intact and tied securely around the ankles.

“Your gear is right where it belongs,” Marcus said, gesturing to her open locker.

Stella placed her skates carefully onto the wooden shelf inside her locker.

She slid her heavy gear bag onto the bottom rack and snapped the padlock shut.

The small steel shackle clicked into place with a sharp, definitive sound.

Stella picked up her helmet from the bench and tucked it under her arm.

She looked up at the security camera mounted high above the doorway.

The little red LED light blinked steadily in the quiet room.

Then Stella turned around and walked out of the locker room.

She stepped through the arena gate and pushed open the heavy glass door leading out onto the ice.

The cold rink air hit her face.

The bright overhead stadium lights reflected off the smooth, freshly resurfaced sheet of white ice waiting for her.

THE END