Sera's heart thudded in her chest, every sense sharp as she peered over the edge of the balcony. The ladder dangled below, swaying slightly in the night breeze, a shaky route to freedom that seemed far too dangerous. Below her, guards moved between floors, flashlights sweeping the walkways, boots echoing off the steel platforms.
She took a deep breath, bracing herself. No turning back now. Her hands clenched the cold metal of the ladder as she slipped over the edge of the balcony, her body tense. Every movement was deliberate, each step downward as quiet as possible.
The building creaked and groaned as the wind cut through the narrow alleyways between its ledges and beams. Sera's fingers gripped the rungs tightly as she climbed lower, her body pressing against the cool metal to avoid drawing any attention. She couldn't afford to make a sound. The patrols below were meticulous, the guards switching between floors with calculated precision.
As she reached the first platform, she paused, holding her breath. A guard was passing just beneath her, the light from his flashlight flickering across the steel below. She pressed her back against the building, flattening herself to the cold surface as the guard's footsteps echoed nearby. His light swept the area just above her, narrowly missing her as he continued his round.
Sera exhaled slowly, waiting for him to disappear into the shadows before lowering herself onto the narrow ledge below. The platform groaned under her weight, but she moved quickly, gliding across the surface with light, silent steps.
Ahead of her, another guard was stationed near a section of scaffold that jutted out from the building. He stood still, his back turned to her, but she knew one wrong move would give her away. How the hell am I going to get past him? She glanced around, her eyes catching a narrow beam that connected the building to another structure just across from her. It was barely wide enough to stand on, but it would have to do.
Sera steeled herself, moving swiftly to the beam. She grabbed onto it, balancing precariously as she began to edge across, her body tense, each foot carefully placed. Below her, the city sprawled out like a maze of lights and shadows, the street a long drop beneath her.
Her palms were sweating, the cold metal of the beam slick beneath her hands. She moved slowly, deliberately, every step a challenge as the wind whipped around her. Don't look down. Just keep moving. The guard below shifted, but he hadn't noticed her yet. She just needed to reach the other side.
Halfway across the beam, the sound of footsteps above made her heart race. Another guard, this one on the floor she'd just left, was making his way to the edge of the balcony. His flashlight swept down toward the beam where she clung, the light dangerously close to catching her.
She pressed herself flat against the beam, her breath held tight in her chest. The light hovered just above her, then moved away, the guard seemingly satisfied. He turned back, and she exhaled, continuing her slow, careful journey to the other side.
Once she reached the far ledge, she dropped down onto the platform below, her hands shaking slightly from the tension. I can't keep this up. But she had no choice. The bottom of the building was still several floors away, and there were more guards.
The next platform was even narrower, a crumbling section of old scaffolding that barely supported her weight. She crouched low, moving quickly as the structure groaned beneath her. Below, two guards were pacing, their lights sweeping the lower floors.
Sera's eyes darted to the side, catching sight of another ladder, this one leading down into a dark alleyway between two sections of the building. She glanced down. If she could just make it to that ladder, she'd be able to drop into the shadows and make her way to the street below.
The only problem? The gap between her platform and the ladder was too wide to jump. She scanned the area, spotting a narrow pipe running along the side of the building, just within reach. It'll hold. It has to.
She reached out, her fingers closing around the pipe, testing its strength. It creaked, but it held. With a deep breath, she swung out over the gap, her body hanging in the air for a brief moment before she steadied herself. The pipe groaned under her weight, but she moved quickly, her legs hooking onto the ladder as she dropped down to the next level.
Her feet hit the rungs hard, the ladder swaying violently as she descended. Below her, the street was getting closer, but the guards were still swarming. She could hear them talking, their voices growing louder as they searched the floors above.
Just a little more. She moved faster now, her body aching with the effort. The final platform loomed ahead, the last stretch of her climb. The street was just beneath her, and she could see the alley leading to the back of the building.
But the last few feet were the most dangerous. The guards were directly below, their flashlights sweeping across the street. She froze, watching as one of them moved closer to the ladder, his eyes scanning the area. He was too close. If she moved now, he'd spot her for sure.
She pressed herself against the side of the building, waiting, her breath held tight. The guard's light flickered toward her, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward. Shit. He was getting closer.
Sera gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay still. Her muscles screamed in protest, her body aching from the strain of holding her position. The guard paused, his light hovering just inches from her hiding spot.
And then, finally, he turned away, moving back toward his patrol. Sera let out a slow breath, her body trembling with relief.
With one final push, she dropped down to the street, her feet hitting the ground with a soft thud. She was in the shadows now, hidden from view. The guards above continued their search, oblivious to her escape.
Sera leaned against the wall, her body shaking with exhaustion. She'd made it. Barely. But the night wasn't over yet. The city was still alive with danger, and she was far from safe.