[ WP ] An endless staircase .

His knees buckled. He felt his jeans rip as he made contact with the hardwood staircase. His breathing was heavy. Dust floated by in the sunlight filtering through the frosted glass window on the wall. The banister was hard and easy to grab, but slippery underneath his clammy hands. He looked up. The staircase spiraled upwards into darkness. There was nothing to see other than the faint light of other windows above him. 
 
 He found his footing. He pulled himself up, legs shaking. He stood upright. He coughed. The miserable air around him echoed with the sound. He took a step upwards. A bead of sweat rolled down over his brow. He blinked as it reached his eye. He pulled his shirt up to his face to wipe it off. He smacked his lips. There had n't been any water along the staircase. 
 
 His lungs felt like shattered glass had filled them up. Every step was agonizing. The windows were spaced further apart. It was darker. He spotted the next window. It was three or four levels above him. He climbed. 
 
 The banister was enough support for him. He clung onto it like a lover. He knew its curves and lines like they were fond childhood memories. It seemed to perfectly fit his hand. The steps became shallower. He was panting less. 
 
 After a few minutes, each step was large enough to pace around in. He took another step. He looked upward. The staircase seemed to end. His steps hastened. He pulled harder. His breathing was heavy but it mattered nothing. He reached the top of the staircase. 
 
 There was no door awaiting him. No room nor treasure. As he stood at the topmost point of that eternal staircase, all that remained was a platform at the center of the tower, down to an abyss darker than the darkest night.
