The second my hand passed through, klaxons blared in a low bass rumble that reverberated within my now trembling body. I let my panic sink in, and the world slowed to a manageable crawl as my adrenaline kicked me into overdrive. With the strong evidence set in my heart that leaving this place would greatly benefit my chances surviving whatever nightmare I woke up to, I focused on locating an exit to the room, and if worse came to worst, making my own. The walls of the room were either coated with or crafted from some kind of metal (probably steel). With no windows to the outside and the only light source being artificial, I had no idea whether I was a mile above ground or below ground. The door to my freedom looked like it was sealed with a magnetic lock that was activated by a sensor pad to its right. I hoped desperately that it wouldn’t require a combination. More troubling though was the towering sheet of crystal clear glass (or plexiglass maybe?) that dwarfed my height, reaching some three meters into the air. Above it was an opening of approximately half a meter between the top of the glass and the ceiling. Perhaps the opening was for ventilation? Whatever, it would be enough of an opening for me.

I shoved the bed into an appropriate position, clambered to the top, and leapt with all my strength, throwing every muscle into the spring.  I didn’t even come close.  My hands smacked against the window/wall a good length short, and I slid to the floor.  If I couldn’t make my way over quickly, then the next best way would be to go through.

I stared at the still vibrating wall.  It only now occurred to me that the wall itself would be incredibly flimsy at this size without muntins or mullions holding it together.  It didn’t appear too thick either.  Lucky me.

Since I didn’t feel like shattering my good hand or wrecking my nice sneakers, I decided that the best and most immediate course of action would be to destroy it with my prosthetic.  For an instant, I thought about using the strange fabric for protection, but quickly dismissed the idea when I remembered how easily it tore.  I wound up and delivered the most forceful punch I could muster, hoping that the glass would shatter outwards, and not rain down on top of my head.

My arm burst through the thin glass wall like a battering ram.  Thankfully, the window/wall was made out of a material akin to safety glass, and the effect of it shattering was almost magical when the crumbled mess began to rain down around me.  If I wasn’t terrified, I might have stopped to admire my handiwork for a second or two.  As it was though, my potential freedom only served to shift my nerves into high gear, and I bolted for the door, thinking of all the possibilities that might come from it refusing to open for more than a few moments.

Miraculously, with a single press of the largest button, the door slid open.