Swamped

Maybe it's best to leave it. If you make it to the bridge, you can warn the officers and let them deal with it. And you've already got directions to the next staircase. You slip away and keep moving.

Hmm. There's someone here, just glancing at the stairs. Must be guarding it from the other direction. They're alone, and frankly a little scrawny-looking. You could probably take them in a fight, but you're not sure you could manage that without making too much noise and drawing attention.

On top of that, you hear footsteps that don't sound far off. They might be looking for you.

So whatever you're going to do, probably best to do it quickly.