Through the gap in the observatory, Isaac could see it was gradually fading from night to dawn. He’d been awake for hours now. Hours, and still no progress.
Of course, he wasn’t physically adept. That wasn’t his forte, nor something he cared enough to specialise in. Yet, if he could scale the wall of the observatory and reach the roof, he was sure he could find the source of what was containing them. And that seemed like a good idea—until he was midway into the climb.
With two feet pressed firm against a ledge, he shifted metal sheet to metal sheet. If he was brave enough, he’d jump, and cling onto the next sheet above which, with its serrated edge, would always mark his fingertips.
When the ledges beneath him became obsolete, little air escaped his lungs. He held his breath, tried to remain calm, and pushed upwards towards the light. The warmth touched his fingertips. With a few more steps, he could—
“GODSDAMMIT!”
And, just like that, he lost his grip.