"he said when I find Ruby to ask her to take me to the free city, I don't know why he wouldn't let me explain before shoving me into the elevator, I promised I would come back for him" she said to them

"the free city? i can take you there" she says, "oh, and Ruby tells me he's very into books. i think he's just being dramatic" she adds, hoisting herself onto the roof of the nearby building, using a dumpster as leverage. "follow me, i've been running these streets since i was six, i know this city like the back of my hand!" she exclaims, holding out a hand to help the next person up. i go next, climbing up and waiting next to her on the roof.

i can hear the shouts of the people chasing us getting closer, and i tap my foot nervously. "we'd better hurry, they're almost here!" i tell them, looking around the maze of streets to see if i can spot them.

Maple hoisted herself up and followed her "idk Or jack just wants me to be safe either or he wants me to go so I will and I don't break promises" she points out still walking

"who knows with that guy" she shrugs, before darting off, leaping from rooftop to rooftop with ease. it's hard to follow her, zig zagging across rooftops faster than should be possible, but we manage. she leaps across a small street, only one person wide, and i do the same, nearly falling into the crowd of people below.

the people looking for us spot us, giving chase below as Alex weaves effortlessly across rooftops, like she's done it a thousand times.

Maple follows her silently hoping an making sure she has her footing

alex leaps onto another house, spotting the people chasing us just behind us. there's a canal to our left, and she veers off, jumping into it. i freeze, expecting to hear a splash, when nothing happens i look over the ledge, seeing she's jumped on a cargo ship. "come on!" she urges, the boat is pulling away swiftly. i sure hope she knows what she's doing.

i jump after her, and then i feel it. with the wind rushing past me, nothing but air between me and the ground, adrenaline pumping through my veins. this is what i was made for. i open my mouth to let out a whoop, but what comes out instead is a noise of pure joy and freedom laced with the power thrumming in my bones and in my very soul, cut off as i hit the deck - hard.

"oh my god i think she's dead" one of the strangers surrounding Alex whispers, horrified. "i have never felt so alive!" i gasp around the pain. Alex grins down at me, crouching down eye level. "nice" she says, holding her hand out for a fist bump. i give her one, and she stands up. "everyone! this is dorcha! dorcha, this is everyone" she gestures at the people, who are staring at me with a mix of terror and awe. "this boat is heading straight to the free city, and no one can stop us now!" she laughs gleefully.

Maple slaps her in the back of the head "shut up!!! They just tried to kill us stop running your mouth!!!" She hissed at her

(Cara)
I watch what's happening with a keen eye before jumping myself onto the boat and calling Sam to jump as well

(Sam)
I jump down beside Cara and groan at the ground shock.

"welcome aboard the SS spirit" one of the people greets, extending her hand. the men chasing us glare at us from the land as we glide through the water, unable to give chase. "guess this makes you officially a citizen of free city" she smiles, pointing back at them "whats their deal anyways?"

(Cara)
I sit down beside Sam, watching the women

(Sam)
My hand moves to rest on Caras head