Conquest of the Concrete Steps

I pushed past the heavy steel door into the yawning chasm of the stairwell, my talons grating over raw concrete. Before me plunged a sheer precipice of gray steps, echoing with cavernous drafts. Guarding the drop stood an insolent crumpled soda can, glinting silver in the cold fluorescent hum. A guttural hiss tore from my jaws. I charged forward and drove my rigid snout into its crushed flank. With a violent clatter, the aluminum carcass tumbled down the first flight, bouncing wildly off the metal handrail before coming to rest on the landing below. I stood at the edge, tail lashing high, savoring the sound of my echoing descent.