Max eased himself through the doorway, keeping one hand around the frame while his bare foot searched for a foothold between the outer bars. The cage tilted beneath his weight, and he froze, waiting for the movement to settle before pulling himself higher.
"Easy..." he whispered.
He climbed onto the roof and reached for the lowering rope descending beside it. The women had secured its loose end around the support below, leaving it stretched tightly enough for him to climb down, though the distance seemed considerably greater now that nothing stood between him and the fall.
The rough fibers scraped his palms as he descended, gripping the rope between his feet to keep from sliding. Halfway down, footsteps reached him from between the houses.
Max stopped and held himself still.
"Quiet. She should be alone by now."
