The sphere missed him by inches; hurtled on beyond.
Sweating, shaking, Craig stepped out once more.
But now the shouts came closer as guardsmen ran towards him, following up the roller.
Pivoting, Craig stumbled on once more.
Before he had taken a dozen steps, the whispering of the roller drifted to him.
The sphere was hurtling back again.
Panting, Craig wedged himself into the chimney-like shaft between two buildings.
Again, the roller passed him. The guards' shouts echoed ever-louder.
It dawned on Craig that the crevice in which he stood stretched upward, clear to a tiny wedge of emerald sky.
At least, up there, there'd be no rollers.