An utterly unideal situation, with little choice of what he can do.... So all he can do is keep moving forward, isn't that right? It feels too nerve-wracking to close his eyes, as nice as the idea sounds...

...Although trying to go backwards is also an option with about as much naivety to it. Sorry, did he say the only choice was moving forward? That was a lie. He might try to see if he can move backwards, although he suspects the tail won't do him much favors there.