I slip out my window, onto the fire escape. Why I had to live so high up in this building was a mystery.
"Jessie?" A man's voice calls out from my apartment, sounding pissed off, even half asleep. That's my cue- I start down the stairs as fast as I can go without making any noise.
It's not long before I glance up and see his head poke out through the metal grate of several fire escape landings. I hurry down another floor, and another, not as worried about making noise. He shouts for me, calling me a few filthy names in the process. I roll my eyes and keep going.
The first open window I see I dive through, closing the window and the curtains behind me. Out of breath, I lean my head against the window, taking a minute to collect my thoughts.