There was a dark window leading back inside, and a cement ledge lined with several stone gargoyles above me. The ledge ran along the length of the building, and I thought if I climbed onto the railing and jumped, I might be able to reach the ledge and pull myself up onto the roof. It wasn’t the best option, but it seemed like the only one I had left. I steadied myself against the wall and put my foot on the top of the railing. Then I eased up, testing my weight before each move. I heard voices below me and looked down. When I did, the world seemed to pinwheel around me, and the strength dropped out of my legs. I had just enough time to see a figure leaning out of Roach’s window two floors below, then my foot slipped and I fell. I landed hard on the railing, knocking the air out of my lungs. I teetered there, feeling my weight pull me over the edge. At the last second, I kicked out, desperately trying to arch back onto the platform.
