Today's OneWord: Stairway

The stairway seemed to go on for hours, but I couldn't help continuing to trek up the arduous steps. The air around me grew dryer and colder, and I tightened the collar of my jacket against my throat, feeling the fabric chafe against my stiff, reddening skin. Outside, I knew the sun was setting, and upstairs, the conference was convening. If I could only get to the sixteenth floor in time.