Try to catch and stop Big Bird.

Panic kicking in, Gina sprinted out into the hallway like a gust of wind, bare feet slapping lightly against the hardwood, her naked body feeling terribly exposed and ungraceful. She crossed her apartment in a heartbeat, her breasts bouncing awkwardly with each frantic stride as she zigzagged between the couch and coffee table, the grace of someone who had just remembered she was completely naked.

She reached the front door and stopped, breathing hard. With one hand, she cracked it open just enough to poke her head out, keeping the rest of her body tucked tightly behind it.

The landing outside was quiet. A potted fern rustled gently in the breeze from an open window down the stairwell. No sign of Big Bird.

“Big Bird?” she called in a loud whisper. “Are you still here?”

Nothing.

She leaned out a little farther, stretching her neck like a giraffe trying not to be noticed. Her eyes darted to the stairwell. Still empty.

She exhaled slowly, pressing her back to the cool wood of the door. Okay. Don’t panic. Don’t freak out. Maybe he just left. Maybe he hasn’t even made it to the front stoop yet. If I hurry… I might still catch him.

_

Gina darted back into the bathroom, her wet feet slipping slightly on the tile as she skidded to a stop in front of the small window above the fire escape.

The window was partially covered by sheer curtains, and she quickly pushed them aside with one hand, not bothering to untie them fully. The thin fabric swayed gently as she reached for the window frame.

“Please don’t be jammed, just this once…” she muttered, her fingers gripping the base of the windowpane.

She tugged upward—and of course, it resisted. The frame creaked, stubborn as ever.

“Oh, come on—not now,” she groaned, jiggling the pane side to side with quick, practiced motions. It budged slightly, but not enough. She yanked harder.

With a final groan of protest, the window slid open.

A cool evening breeze rushed in, mixing with the last traces of steam from the shower. Gina rose on her toes and leaned out carefully, peering down toward the sidewalk three stories below.

The fire escape creaked beneath her feet as she shifted her weight, eyes scanning—

And there he was.

A bright yellow blur, waddling merrily down the sidewalk, the large bag from the hamper full of Gina’s laundry tucked under one wing.

Her eyes widened in horror. “Big Bird!” she gasped.

Gina’s heart raced as she leaned out farther, arms flailing in the air. “BIG BIRD!” she cried, but her voice was lost in the evening breeze. Desperation bubbled up in her chest. She couldn’t let him get away with her clothes—especially not like this.

As she stretched even further out, her foot slipped on the wet tile, her bare toes skidding against the slick surface. A wave of panic surged through her as she teetered, losing her balance.

Her damp hands and chest pressed against the cool windowsill, her body shifting forward too quickly. With a startled yelp, she lost control, tumbling forward—

THUD!

Her body collided with the metal grating of the fire escape with an unceremonious thump.

Her legs kicked up in the air, her wet feet slipping wildly, as the world tilted sideways. Her arms flailed out, desperately reaching for something—anything—that could steady her.

A loud slam echoed as her foot struck the bottom of the open window.

Thwack!

The window slammed shut, its metallic frame locking into place with a sharp, final click.

Gina groaned as she lay sprawled across the metal grating, dazed, exposed, and completely, utterly off-balance. The cold, rough texture of the fire escape pressed against her bare skin, sending a jolt of discomfort through her. Her mind froze for a split second, the reality of her situation sinking in.

And as she glanced at her naked form, her breath hitched. “Oh no...” she whispered to herself, mortified.

Her cheeks flushed as she awkwardly shifted to sit up, trying to ignore the harsh scrape of the metal grating beneath her.

Quickly, she looked toward the window above, now shut tight. Her stomach sank as she reached instinctively to tug at the window—but of course, it was stuck again. Jammed. The same stubborn window that had refused to open.

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop. Her wide eyes darted down the fire escape, her heart pounding as she realized the full scope of the mess she was in.

She was locked out. Completely naked. On a fire escape.

Note: This chapter was initially composed with the help of ChatGPT and then edited with the help of Gemini.