Amurehna

The man navigated a cavernous subterranean maze, a confusing warren of suffocating tunnels leading to an abyss which true heights and depths were shrouded by its inky darkness. The tunnels in the cavern walls might lead upward but to reach them he had to cross great expanses on narrow and rickety wooden bridges. Even then, tunnels were treacherous and often deceptive, seeming to lead upward and outward only to lead deeper into the maze.

He could only see a few feet in front of himself and if he paused too long to consider his course of action the sentient, seeking darkness would become aware of his presence and destroy the bridge where he stood, for it could sense the light he emanated and sought only to eradicate it.

He had no idea how long he’d been underground, but it finally happened!
He clawed his way up through a chimney-like tunnel and found the ground floor!
There were windows!
He could see the sky! All wondrous and bright blue and beautiful over an evergreen forest.
Two doorways stood before him and he didn't have long to choose, so he chose the one nearest the window, thinking it would lead out into the glorious OPEN.
Oh, it did, but not how he had hoped, for on the other side there was a balcony. The door snapped shut and locked behind him. I could feel his tremulous, keening panic. As a ghostly bystander, I tried to reassure him that all hope was not lost. He could still jump, that the drop was no more than 8 feet from the balcony to the forest floor. Although he sensed me there, he shook his head to himself and remained convinced he couldn't make the jump because he had injured his leg in the climb.
After an eternity in the dark there was no retreat and no advance.
His despair was immediate and exquisite, he berated himself harshly. How could he be so stupid? He couldn’t even choose the right door! Especially now when it mattered most.

So, exhausted beyond all measure, he leaned against the railing and wept silently into his hands, knowing that now there would only be view of the open and no real escape.