Anna's Window

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. The window was her lone link to the world outside her four walls. It served as her lifeline and means of escape from the routine and monotony of her daily life.

Anna was her name. She had never gone outside; she hadn't even seen the sun, let alone felt its warmth on her body. She had only heard tales of the other world, tales of freedom, tales of adventure, and tales of a life lived with free expression and without fear or repression.

She was born into a society in which the government was in charge of every area of life and where we were all subject to strict regulations and constant surveillance in an effort to "protect" us. There were no individual freedoms or rights down here. According to their claims, everything was done for the benefit of all.

But as she became older, she could see the holes in the protective armor. She witnessed the hunger increase and desperation in the eyes of her fellow people slowly take over, she could sense the hopelessness and misery that appeared to seep into every area of their existence all around her. A constant reminder of how "well" they were doing

She witnessed how the authorities dealt with individuals who tried to voice their opinions or challenge their authority. They suffered silence, sanctions, or worse. She observed how they used propaganda and lies to mislead and control the populace in order to hold onto power.

"It drives me sick"

She wants to leave this place because she was aware that there was something fundamentally wrong with it. She envisioned a life in which she could live freely, fall in love, and be anyone she chose to be. She then turned to the lone window, which served as their only window to the outside world. She would spend hours sitting and staring up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the world outside her home.

She suddenly noticed something in the sky that caused her heart to skip a beat. It was a bird, soaring through the air on the wind currents with its wings spread wide. She had never seen anything more stunning, and it made her feel hopeful and longing. The moment she realized she had to find a way out of this reality and find a place where she could be free, she knew she had to find a method to escape.

"I don't even know if there is a way out of here..No, that cant discourage me"

I started making plans and gathering the materials and information I would require to make my getaway.

"Do you really think it's worth it Anna?"

"Dammit Martha let her go!"

Berrett and Martha were the only two who appeared to have retained their friendliness and love of fellow humans. To me down here, they resembled family in certain ways.

"A, now you know I would go with go you but I'm this old coot cant move like he used to"

"Uncle B, I've got to see what's out there. I have too"

"I know, I see that look in your eye, just if they catch you stand down. A few lashings and no ration for a month is the most you'll get if you do that"

"You got it"

Martha has always been a worry wort, but i knew she just wanted me to be safe at the end of day. It reminds me of a mother's love.

"Anna, I want to stop you but I wont. Oh come here you strong girl"

I typically cry when she hugs me, but this time I bawled like a baby. I'm only going to get to experience this once. No that sounds like this is goodbye forever, I will see them again. One day

So, after years of preparation, she slipped out of her house and started her voyage while the moon was full, the stars were bright in the sky. Although she had no idea what lied in store for her, she was confident that whatever it was would be preferable than the life she was leaving behind.

She knew she was beginning the first steps of a new life, a life full of opportunity and hope, as she hid in the alleys and snuck through the shadows through the abandoned streets, her pulse beating with dread and excitement.

She knew that she might never see the window in his room again, but she knew that she would always carry it with her, as a symbol of the life she had left behind and the life that lay ahead.