The staircase spiraled up a tall tower. I went round and round in the semi-darkness, climbing further up. My footsteps made soft clunks on the wooden planks. I could hear my breath become quicker and my heart began beating in my ears. I wondered where this would end. One of the stairs squeaked, startling me out of my stepping and breathing rhythm. I stepped on it again, just to hear the sound. If I shifted my weight forward and back on the stair it squeaked longer. I thought this was just the kind of odd little thing Kitty would berate me for being distracted about. _Kitty!_ I had to keep going. At the top was a door. It pushed open with a little effort. I was very high, almost 20 stories! It took my breath away. I'd have to be rescued by a helicopter or use a hang-glider to get down from here safely. Dead end. So it seemed I was stuck with a room of stuffed beasts, an office with a door locked on the outside, a tower roof with plenty of fresh air, and one squeaky stair. I sat down in disappointment. 2008-04-06T23:59:06Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/26884 <p>Now, this will take some creativity to figure out.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/26884?basename=54728 2008-04-06T23:59:06Z OrangeOreos http://ficlets.com/authors/orangeoreos <p>Good sequel!</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/26884?basename=54709 2008-04-06T22:02:47Z flute faerie http://ficlets.com/authors/user_6061 <p>People are complex THX ! The authors and the characters! LOL Glad you liked it!</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/26884?basename=54683 2008-04-06T19:37:02Z Mistress Elsha Hawk http://ficlets.com/authors/mistress_elsha_hawk <p>Nice continuation. I like the addition of another personality quirk in the midst of it all.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/26884?basename=54661 2008-04-06T18:10:47Z THX 0477 http://ficlets.com/authors/thx_0477