Climbing the dark stairs seemingly forever, the dull ache spreads.
I steady myself with my fingertips, dust coats them as paint crumbles from the wall.
Handrails, long gone, a luxury faintly remembered.
The smell of urine permeates the moist, soundless, air.
Stepping carefully, always watchful, shadows darkening,
I safely reach a numberless door... scratch for the lock and then hurriedly enter.
The safety of home.