The Rubbery Descent

I descended through the crate trapdoor, stepping boldly onto stairs made entirely of taut, shivering balloons! Every inch of the subterranean passage—the bouncy steps, the swollen walls, and the low, arched ceiling—was packed with groaning rubber. With each stride, my heavy black boots sank into the inflated treads, springing back with sharp, theatrical squeaks that echoed in the gloom. Turn back? Never! Spreading my stiff claws wide to steady my balance against the bulging walls, I marched straight into the depths of the rubber labyrinth, reveling in every treacherous bounce underfoot.