Metal shudders and groans beneath your feet, reverberating downwards.

Metal shudders and groans beneath your feet, reverberating downwards.

Peer over the railing.

Red lights fading to nothing.

Look back.

Abandoned, dusty, throated by concrete.

Let your eye follow the descent. (Proceed.)

Hundreds of steps, winding, disappearing into pure darkness.

The half-animal in you freezes. You're alone. Split from herd. Vulnerable.

Has the null entity lured you into an obvious trap?

The tunnel, it's everything you imagined it to be.

This is a thrill, this is what I'm here for.

Best to take your time, enjoy the maddening grip of vertigo. Pay no attention to the inexplicable sounds echoing up from below.

Remember what the MIHO fax said: 'GO ALL THE WAY DOWN'.

Far below, a rhythmic thumping. Organic maybe. And is that the smell of sweat you detect?

Good thing I have this flashlight.

A small measure to fend off the encircling dark.

You look at the metal between your feet -- a square grid, that cannot contain the emptiness that surrounds you.

My twinkle lights will protect me.

Something's down there. This doesn't feel right.

Dark space, unbounded. Makes the mind race uncontrollably.

Just take it one step at a time.

It's a lot longer, darker, and less sexy than I was hoping.

Most people can't face the nature of their desire once they finally attain it.