"This is the worst fucking staircase in the universe," Sebastian panted, his chest heaving. The heat radiating off the glass was stifling. "When I get access to the developer tools, I am installing escalators. Everywhere. I'm going to make stairs a bannable offense."
Valerie actually let out a soft, genuine laugh, the sound vibrating warmly against his coat. "Make sure they have good elevator music, too."
"Elevator music is a war crime, but for you, I'll allow it."
They climbed higher and higher, leaving the chaotic, roaring noise of the prison riot far below them. The air grew incredibly thin, not lacking oxygen, but lacking raw data. The environment was becoming increasingly sterile and oppressive as they neared the absolute peak of the High-Security Ward.
After thirty grueling, agonizing minutes of kicking steps into the glass, the incline finally began to level out.
