Escaping Through the Vent

My hands were shaking as I grasped onto my hidden knife that was strapped around my ankle. I made my way to the ventilation duct attached to the wall near the bedroom door. I squatted down slowly and began unscrewing each screw using the tip of the sharp knife. I carefully placed each screw onto my wet and sweaty palms. As soon as the last screw opened I cautiously released it and made my way into the small rectangular tunnel. The ventilation duct was snug but large enough to fit my body. 

Thank god I’m not claustrophobic, I thought to myself as I used my arms to push myself forward and make my way through, still holding onto the knife in my right hand. Suddenly the knife slipped my fingertips and fell onto the steel surface making a loud clashing sound that echoed. 

I held my breath and waited to hear if anyone had noticed. Time was running out and I needed to make it out of here. I could hear my heart pounding through my chest as I squirmed through the dark and dusty airway. Moving forward one inch at a time, I breathed a sigh of relief as I spotted a light at the end of the tunnel and made my escape.