Inch by inch, silently, my soft breathing the only noticeable sound, I worked forward, anxiously exploring for the break in the floor, which I knew to be only a few feet distance.

Even then I reached it unaware of its proximity, experiencing a sudden, unpleasant shock as my extended hand groped about touching nothing tangible.
I was some time determining the exact nature of what was before me.
There were no stairs, nor did any shafts of a ladder protrude above the floor level.

Only as I lay flat, and felt cautiously across from wall to wall, could I determine what led below.

All was black as a well, as noiseless as a grave, yet there was a ladder exactly fitting the space, spiked solidly into the flooring.

My groping fingers could reach two of the rungs, and they felt sound and strong.