Climb down the fire escape

Zoe's heart raced as she balanced the body on the windowsill, the decision to climb down the fire escape sent a strange blend of fear and excitement washing over her. The fire escape was just to her left, a series of iron steps and landings leading down to the alley below. She moved carefully, swinging one leg over the sill and feeling the cool metal beneath the foot that she used to step upon it.

With a deep breath, she lowered the body she was using onto the fire escape, the metal creaking slightly under the weight of the body. The sensation of vulnerability was intense. The body she inhabited was exposed to the world, and the thought of being seen like this, naked and unguarded, sent shivers down the spine. Still, she pressed on, descending step by step.

Halfway down, she heard voices from below. She froze, the body's heart pounding in its chest. Peering through the gaps in the metal, she saw a group of young men loitering near the base of the fire escape. They hadn't noticed her yet, but it was only a matter of time. She had to decide quickly.

She could either continue down and risk being seen by the group, or she could climb back up and face the uncertainty of the apartment. Given that she owned nothing, she feared that the apartment might belong to someone else, and she didn't want to be found there if that was the case. Either choice carried risks and potential humiliation, but she needed to act fast.

Zoe continued to descend, trying to move silently. The closer she got, the clearer the voices became. The young men were chatting and laughing, oblivious to her presence. As she reached the final landing, one of them looked up. His eyes widened, and he nudged his friends, pointing up at the body inhabited by Zoe.

She felt a surge of panic. She could feel their gazes, a mix of shock and curiosity. She knew she had to do something, but what?