The jingle faded behind them, replaced by a new sound: a low, eerie hum like something huge breathing below.
Johnquis stopped at the railing and looked down. What used to be a mountain of rubble and broken beams was now cleared away. In its place, the old buried escalator gleamed under flickering lights, polished glass railings and squeaking rubber steps moving slow and steady.
When they reached the landing, Johnquis froze and smiled.
"Holy shit… would you look at that."
The escalator was actually moving. It creaked, but the steps kept flowing down like a gentle metal waterfall. He leaned over the railing, staring at the way the metal plates dipped into the lower floor, carrying air and shadows with them.
"A magic stair…"
