Gina takes a "leap of faith."

Gina’s bare foot found the last rung of the fire escape, her toes curling around the cold metal as she peered down. Just below her, the ladder ended—abruptly—about six feet above the courtyard floor. She gave a quiet groan, resting her forehead briefly against the rust-streaked railing beside her.

“Of course it doesn’t reach…”

But as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she spotted something immediately below.

Big Bird’s nest.

Directly beneath the dangling ladder, the massive nest took up a generous patch of the courtyard. Layers of soft, oversized straw and colorful fabric tufts—discarded blankets, old pillows, and the odd scarf or two—formed a sprawling bed of comfort. It was a ridiculous, almost surreal sight. But at the moment, to Gina, it looked like salvation.

Then it hit her—how low she was now.

If someone happened to look out their window, or worse, come around the corner… they'd see her. Completely naked, standing awkwardly on the last rung of the ladder, exposed and ****. A blush of pure adrenaline crept into her cheeks as she instinctively shifted to cover herself, clutching one arm across her chest while keeping her balance with the other.

She couldn’t stay here.

Her breath fogged slightly as she exhaled. The air was cold against her skin—too cold for how little she was wearing. She gripped the sides of the ladder tightly, bracing herself as she looked at the cushioned drop.

“Please let that be as soft as it looks…” she whispered.

She tested the last rung with a tentative bounce, then climbed down as far as she could, her toes stretching toward the air below. A moment of hesitation… then a push.

She jumped.

Note: This chapter composed with the help of ChatGPT.