A Grand Descent

My stomach dropped right into my boots when the elevator began to plunge with a low mechanical whine. I gripped the corner wall handrail bracket with one hand and held my wand ready with the other, bracing my feet on the carpet until a cheerful chime sounded and the heavy doors slid apart. Peeking out, I wasn't in my corridor anymore—this was a colossal lobby! Vast marble tiles stretched toward a towering glass entrance flooded with afternoon sunshine. Tucked behind a polished brass umbrella stand, I spotted a bright blue plastic luggage tag lying abandoned on the floor. I crouched low, tucked away my chocolate foil, and surveyed the glittering wide world waiting just beyond the revolving glass.