Confined

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room.

It had been many years since Sarah last gazed through the window in her bedroom. From the outside, it appeared that she was living a secluded life with no contact from the outside world. Little did anyone know, this window held the key to her escape from the prison of her home.

For years, Sarah had lived in a society where most of humanity was now enslaved and she had been forced into labor in one of the factories run by a powerful authoritarian government. Although her spirit had been broken down through long days of working and isolation from friends and family, something inside Sarah remained defiant and unbroken – a desire for freedom.

That's when she stumbled across this window, hidden behind thick curtains in her room. Through this single portal, she could catch a glimpse of a world beyond hers - people walking on street corners and talking to each other, smiling faces peeking out from shop windows and even birds soaring in the sky.

This tiny window opened up an entirely new universe for Sarah, as she could observe a life full of possibility - one where freedom and joy were possible - which gave her hope to keep pushing on until she could find away to escape.

And then one day, Sarah realized that if she followed certain directions given to her by some anonymous person in one of those street corners conversations she overheard via the window, there might be a way for her to finally be free. After months of preparation and following secret instructions step-by-step, Sarah gathered all of her courage to attempt an escape - but unfortunately was caught at the last moment before leaving.

But it didn't matter because although Sarah failed in achieving physical freedom, this last window allowed her to gain an inner freedom like no other: Knowing that although her physical self may be restricted, nothing could restrict what goes on inside her head or heart. She made peace with herself and ultimately found inner liberation – despite all odds – by relying on this single window that connected her with another reality.

The sun rose, bright and promising, like it had for the past hundred years, but not for Rose. Her world was different; a small room where she lived her life inside the walls of an ancient castle. From within these stone walls she could barely hear the distant sound of birds singing, signaling a world that she would never be a part of.

But there was one thing that kept her alive in her secluded existence: a window. Through its small panes she could observe what lay outside these impenetrable walls; nature flourished while humans eked out a meager existence, fearful of any authority which lurked in the shadows beyond. It was a peaceful sight - if you didn't look too closely - and Rose treasured each morning as the sun warmed the glass with its inviting rays.

For her, this was her last window to the outside world, one that remained intact when all else had crumbled around her. And although it did nothing to quell the fear inside of her, or ease the oppressive loneliness, it still gave her hope that perhaps someday things would be better. She knew it was naive thinking but it helped keep her going; for without this final view of life beyond her walls, she might as well have been living in darkness. Darkness that grew deep within her soul. Alone, afraid, confined to a mind of dreams and a last window of hope.