The boots planted themselves on the rung of a ladder, pushing their owner up. "Climb, Mel," the wearer of the boots grunted.
Up above her, a little girl looked down, her pointed face sour. "I'm climbing as fast as I can. It's your fault they're after us, anyway."
"Yeah, and if we get caught, you'll get put in a home where nobody can protect you from that thing. So get moving."
Mel grumbled, but did as she was told, her small hands and feet rapidly gaining ground on her bigger companion. They reached the top of the ladder and came out on the roof of an apartment building. "Where now, Jess?"
The older girl glanced around the flat top of the apartment, her brown eyes trying to find some outlet.
"There they are!" a shout came from below. Jess' unconcernedly glanced down, saw the black uniforms of the police, and walked over to a shed that stood – or rather, leaned – on top of the apartment roof. She yanked the door open, and sure enough, stairs led down into darkness.
"C'mon Mel." she said, gesturing downwards.
"It's dark," the little girl objected, "And besides, they're just going to catch us."
"Melody Pond," Jess said, practically glaring at her. "I have not been protecting you for the past year just so you can get yourself sent to juvie. Go."
Sighing, the little girl trotted over and plunged down the stairs. Jess glanced around, an enigmatic smile on her face, then followed, solidly shutting the door behind her.