A Transparent Barrier

The room grew dark. Outside, far lights flickered beyond the edge of the floor. I marched toward them to scout the higher ground. A hard, invisible wall stopped my snout mid-stride. It did not yield. I pressed my forehead against the flat cold surface and pushed with my legs. Nothing cracked. My breath left a round, pale fog on the pane. Behind it, the city night remained unreachable. I tapped the glass twice with my foot claw. A clear chime rang out. The barrier holds. I settled back on my haunches, watching the lights through the mist I made.