Writer’s Digest 2021 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 15
When was the last time you saw someone who just needed to take a deep breath? Was it someone on the metro, late for work, or a toddler throwing themselves to the grocery store floor? Whoever it was, let’s write about them.
“You have to talk faster, his oxygen levels are dipping and his CO2 levels are rising!” Pons commanded.
“In, out, in, out, in out. How much faster should I go?” asked Medulla
“Until his oxygen reads at least 85%.”
“in and out and in and out. But I’m getting tired”
“Keep going, you can do this!”
There was a sudden bang. The material Medulla and Pons were in shuttered, knocking them off their feet. The rhythmic commands issued to the carrier nerves stopped.
On a street beside his open car door, Mr. Miller fell. Holly, the neighbor saw him fall and hurried to him. She shook him with no response. She felt for air coming from his mouth or nose. There was none. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed the emergency number.
“Mr. Miller, why’d you have to do this right here? I don’t know proper CPR, but I’ve seen it in the movies.”
Holly tilted Mr. Miller’s head so she could better get to his lips. “Oh God, here goes.!” She pinched his nose and blew twice into his mouth.
The wind struck Medulla and Pons but nothing happened.
The two gusts of wind were followed by many pulsing rivers of blood. It was enough to make Medulla and Pons lift their heads and say, “What?”
Then the wind struck again, “One- Two”
Pons looked at Medulla, “Hey, aren’t we supposed to be doing that?”
Pons, still a bit bleary, didn’t answer.
Sirens finally stopped behind Holly. A gentle voice across from her said, “Hello, I’m Bobby. When you finish the next set of compressions, I’ll take over the breathing then my partner Joe will continue with the compressions, okay.”
Holly nodded, too wired and tired to talk.
When the paramedics had full control of the life saving efforts, Holly folder hands and prayed to anyone who would listen. “Breath, just breath! C’mon Mr. Miller!”
Medulla and Pons both felt the air get stronger. “Whoa! What are we doing? It’s not time to be lazing around, let’s get to it! In and out and in and out.”
Mr. Miller let out a large whoosh of air.
Bobby relaxed onto his knees. “He’s back.”