A Step Down the Hall

I slipped past the front threshold into the building stairwell to see what lay beyond our door. The corridor was pleasantly dim and cool. On the concrete landing below, a small rubber wedge held a fire door slightly ajar. Every time a draft drifted down the shaft, the heavy door groaned and clicked softly against the frame. I hopped down three steps, nudging my base against the smooth riser. Sitting quietly in the shadowy corner, I watched the sliver of daylight dance across the grey floor with each gentle creak. It felt very polite and spacious out here.