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Generic location illustration for Central Staircase
location

Central Staircase

The Central Staircase is a worn spiral route through the silo, now dangerously damaged by a blast as Lyn and Joel carry Mission upward.

Story so far

The steel spiral staircase ends at the cafeteria and adjoining lounge, carrying crowds toward the cleared outside view after a Cleaning. Its worn railing, rust-shedding treads, layered paint and generations of anti-authority graffiti record long use. Emergency lights gave it a green glow during the Power Holiday, and its lights are dimmed at night.

The stairs have also carried people escaping blackouts and fighters retreating along a trail of blood. Gunfire near a wounded man holding a bomb was followed by an explosion. Juliette later began a climb to visit her father.

In the events surrounding Mission, another blast tears away a landing and sends it into the depths. Smoke and an acrid smell fill the stairwell; adjacent steps sag from the central post, rails are torn, and a full turn is left without a railing. The damaged staircase remains unstable. Lyn and Joel now climb it carrying Mission Jones concealed in a bag.

Appearance

A steel spiral staircase with worn, layered paint, rust-shedding treads and old graffiti. Near the missing landing, rails are torn and steps sag away from the central post; one full turn lacks a railing.

Role

The silo’s central route for movement, hauling and escape, with severe recent structural damage.

Relationships

Mission Jones — Lyn and Joel carry Mission Jones up the damaged stairs.

Earlier in this series

Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:

Sources — 8 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 26
  • The gaps between the staircase’s levels carry layers of anti-authority graffiti spanning generations.
Chapter 29
  • The spiral staircase lights are dimmed at night.
Chapter 42
  • The blast tears a landing away from the staircase and sends it falling into the depths.
  • The staircase beside the missing landing has torn rails and steps sagging away from the central post.
  • Smoke and an acrid smell spread through the stairwell after the blast.
Chapter 43
  • The staircase is unstable after extensive railing damage.
  • A full turn of the staircase has no railing.
Chapter 50
  • Lyn and Joel climb the stairs carrying Mission concealed in a bag.
Character portrait