Cold Night Air (Continued)

I heard their voices coming closer, not long now. I needed a way out. Fast. My first thought was to slide down the tiles leading to the garden, but I felt nauseous just looking over the ledge of the roof. I thought about jumping onto the hose next to us, yet I wasn't sure if I could make the gap and the next house was just as high as ours. I heard their voices, calm and soothing and obviously fake. They would be here soon. I had to find a way to get down or at least, to hide. The chimney! They wouldn't look for me in there! I raced towards it, trying hard not to fall to my death, or even worse, excruciatingly agonising pain. It was a tight squeeze as I climbed silently in. I would have to hold myself against the wall with my legs in case I fell, and I wasn't sure how long I could endure until my muscles gave way.

I heard two of them climb up onto the roof.
'Can't see anyone up 'ere boss.'
'No... neither can I... Dammit. He must have got out, the little brat. We'll burn the house anyway, so he's got nothing to come back to at least.'
I gasped, almost to loudly. They were going to set fire to my house!
'we've soaked the oil into pretty much everything, all we need now is some matches.' the boss grinned.
'may I do the honours?' the other man asked eagerly.
'As soon as we're all safely out of the house, yes.'

No...

I could run but I couldn't hide...

Then my legs gave way.