An Ode to Stairwell 13

In the darkness of the cafeteria, a door lies above 3 steps, labelled "Stairwell 13". When we first stumbled upon it two years ago as mere freshmen, we had many questions. Where did it come from? Where did it go? Yet none of us dared venture forth into that darkness that lurks yonder past its tantalizing black self-locking door. None of us dared climb past that point, until two weeks ago. As we wandered forward, we somehow came out with more questions than answers. Why was there a burger that was mashed between the two mesh panels on the edges of the staircase? What need did this stairwell fill?

And despite that, none of them mattered. Stairwell 13 was simply Stairwell 13, and it shall be Stairwell 13 forevermore. What really matters was the resolution of the mystery. Maybe the staircase's true destination was not into Floor 2, but instead into our hearts. Yet as soon as we said hello to Stairwell 13, we must say goodbye, as the incoming rescheduling of lunch waves makes its use case of skipping all the foot traffic useless. As we climb its steps for the final time, we cannot help but remember ourselves. Who were we before we discovered that door for the first time? What spurred us into finally exploring it, documenting its secrets? What was it that reanimated our sense of childhood wonder?