Grip

Stairs to nowhere

I could smell the iron of her blood mixed with what I believed was hidrofloric acid. I couldnt look. So I did what my cowardly instincts told me to, and ran, ran somewhere I was sure i had never been. A small hallway, with a set a dark...musty stone brick stairs. I hadn't been here i know i hadn't....but then why did i get a gut wrenching sense of terror?

I felt compelled to walk up them, almost as if I was hypnotised...breathing in the dust and damp air caused me to feel faint, but I kept walking. I had no perception of time anymore, but it must have been hours of agonizing climbing. My feet felt like they were bleeding. I slowly sunk down, sitting on the step above me. I took in the sudden, overwhelming rotting smell.

Then the screaming. Oh the screaming, a tortured orchestra of howls. Some screamed in pain, the others screamed...my name...I could hear every voice, every pained soul. Marley's sobbed in agony, Anna's cried out, Shannon pleaded for help and Michaela lead with echoing screeches of hatred.  Reuels was different. Soft. Calling. I didn't understand it but my body was drawn to the calls. 

With every step my body burned anew. It felt like stepping on knives, red hot knives. I couldn't stop moving, I had to reach them. My mind was racing, praying this was just another dread fueled nightmare. I collapsed at what I assume was halfway up the stairs, but how was I to tell truly. I kicked off my shoes and pulled my socks off, throwing a boot down the stairwell. 

It never landed. 

Even though my feet were bleeding, my legs were cracking beneath me and my mind told me to quit, I started walking again. With each feeble crawl up the stairs, I could hear them grow louder. Surely I would reach them soon? My hope was sparse, as I didn't even know what I would find at the top. My spirits were lifted however, when I saw a soft glow, like torchlight at the top of the stairs. 

I crawled quicker, tears pouring down my cheeks. Pearls of sorrow, pain, and terror. But I needed, LONGED to reach them. The faint light grew near, its welcoming glow growing brighter and brighter....It was like waking up under a sunrise. Peaceful, a bringer of warmth and love. False hope.

My head was down as I reached the top. I sat on my knees, sobbing for forgiveness. I couldn't get a word out, my lips felt as if they were sewn shut, my tongue glued to the roof of my mouth.  I looked up. It wasn't Reuel.
"Hol-" I uttered.

A sharp pain came across my head as I was struck. With what I don't know but it was...metal. I tumbled down the ever lasting stairs. 

You cant escape the stairs to no where.