You decide to try the stairs.

If you take the stairs, at least you’ll know you’re going up. No one can trick you into descending. You press your arm against the wall as you walk forward trying to find the stairwell. At last you feel the cold metal bar to open the door press against your arm.

You step forward and feel cold concrete on the soles of your feet. You follow the wall again until you find your way to the first step up.

It’s slow going without your arms to balance, but you hope you won’t be interrupted.