Chapter 12 - THE ROOFTOP ESCAPE
Clara strapped baby Maya securely against her chest using her light blue shirt tied into a tight, secure sling.
She dragged a heavy wooden chair under the ceiling hatch, reaching up to unscrew the heavy metal latches.
Cold, howling night air rushed into the warm safe room as the iron hatch swung open toward the dark roof above.
Clara pulled herself up onto the gravel-covered roof of the skyscraper, the freezing Chicago wind whipping her blonde hair free from its bun.
Below her, the city stretched out in a sea of glittering lights, but the height was dizzying and terrifying.
Near the ledge hung the steel window-washing platform, suspended by thick steel cables over the hundred-story drop.
She climbed onto the narrow metal platform, holding onto the cold iron railings with white-knuckled intensity.
Suddenly, the roof access door burst open with a loud crunch, and Brenda stepped out into the freezing wind.
"Give me the child, Clara! Julian will grant you a million dollars if you walk away right now!" Brenda shouted over the gale.
"You sold your soul for money, Brenda! I will never sell my daughter!" Clara screamed back, her voice filled with righteous fury.
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Clara slammed her hand down on the manual lowering lever of the window-washing rig, sending the platform plummeting downward.
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