A Step Into the Echo

I pushed past the heavy entryway door and trotted toward the stairwell fire exit, drawn by a brisk rush of cool air. The heavy metal latch hung loose, so I squeezed through onto the landing. Down below, stone steps spiraled in a dizzying cascade! I paused, ears perked high at the strange, hollow echoes floating from down below. Right beside the riser, a lost shiny nickel caught the overhead light. I planted both front paws firmly against the concrete edge, nudged the cool coin with my nose, and listened intently as my own tiny snort rebounded back up the empty shaft.