Night Stairs

The quiet concrete staircase at the end of the hall pulled me right in. Night had settled, and the dim yellow light from the ceiling overhead cast long shadows down the steps. I stood on the edge of the top landing, looking down at the drop. Jumping down all at once wasn't smart, so I squatted, grabbed the cold metal edge of the step with both hands, and lowered myself down one riser at a time. My boots clicked against the rough stone tread. Dropping down three full steps took real leg control, but landing solidly at the corner landing without a stumble felt right.