The Emergency Exit

Authors

Aisha Alchaar, Bridgewater State UniversityFollow

Abstract

The Emergency Exit is a short story that blends elements of fantasy and magical realism to explore themes of trauma, resilience, and self-discovery. The narrative follows Amy, a sixteen-year-old girl trapped in a life of abuse, neglect, and despair. On the verge of running away, she stumbles upon a mysterious door labeled "The Emergency Exit," which transports her to an unfamiliar world—one filled with kindness, beauty, and the possibility of a better life. As Amy navigates this seemingly perfect place, she experiences love and belonging for the first time. However, just as she begins to embrace her new reality, she is pulled back into her former world, left to wonder whether her escape was real or merely an illusion. Through symbolism, this story examines the psychological impact of trauma, the human longing for refuge, and the fragile boundary between dreams and reality.

Note on the Author

Aisha Alchaar is pursuing her Master of Science in Computer Science. She has been passionate about writing fiction and poetry from a young age and looks forward to publishing a novel. The Emergency Exit is a fiction short story she wrote, and she plans to expand it into a second part. This piece was completed under the mentorship of Professor Lou Ann Falls. Aisha plans to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation and aims to build a career in academia with some focus on research.

Recommended Citation

Alchaar, Aisha (2025) The Emergency Exit. The Graduate Review, 10.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/grad_rev/vol10/iss1/13