The Stairwell Shaft

The concrete steps rose in an unbroken, rhythmic cadence. Reaching the intermediate landing, I paused where daylight fell through the textured glass window, casting sharp, parallel stripes across the cool gray stone. I stepped deliberately toward the edge of the balustrade, aligning my hooves parallel to the recessed brass nosing. Between two slim iron rails, the clearance was exact. Peering downward, the central void revealed each flight repeating in crisp, descending rectangles all the way to the ground floor. I held my stance motionless, letting my brick joints settle into the quiet, geometric expanse.