Genesis

Peace

Move.

I did as the voice told me, landing on my knees by Colt's side as he lay there, motionless. I placed my cheek by his lips, waiting for the warm sensation of a breath to escape him. But I felt nothing at all.

Remember your training. You've prepared for this.

I thought back to the medical books I'd spent hours reading.

Section: Emergency medicine. Title: Resuscitation.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, often abbreviated as CPR, is an emergency medical procedure used as a lifesaving technique. This technique is often used in cases of cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest.

Check the carotid pulse, quickly.

I placed two of my fingers onto his neck, pressing firmly between his throat and his neck's muscle.

Ten seconds.

With each passing moment, a feeling of desperation creep further into my heart.

3... 2... 1.

No pulse.

Begin CPR.

I yelled at Danny to get the defibrillator from the trucks as I watched myself curiously, locking my left hand over my right, straightening my arms and beginning to push downwards on Colt's chest with the heels of my hands, as hard as I could and as fast as the passing beats of the song that was echoing somewhere distant in my skull would allow.

Tempo is good. Compressions are too shallow. He'll die if you keep doing it like that.

I think I cursed then, but I wasn't sure. It was as if I was suddenly sitting in a comfortable seat, somewhere in the back of my head, watching keenly as my mind begged my muscles to push further into Colt's chest, as Lucius charged towards Kit with eyes of fury, and as hot tears began to run pash my lashes, dripping onto Colt's T-shirt.

That's thirty compressions. Secure the airway, and administer two rescue breaths.

It was then that I saw Danny securing the defibrillator stickers to Colt's chest, wondering when he had even arrived as I heard Lucius yell furiously at us to stop what we were doing.

     "Analyzing rhythm... shock recommended. Press the yellow button to shock. Stand clear of the patient and press the yellow button now."

     The defibrillator shrieked as Lucius screamed at us, fighting against Kit, Emerson, and Xander as they held him back.

     "Shock delivered. Continue CPR, now."

     Thirty more compressions, then two rescue breaths.

Around when I noticed Lucius shove Kit to the ground, I realized the strangest thing; this was the first time I had ever seen Colt's expression drawn in such a way that he looked... he looked as if he was at peace. He might have even looked... happy. And so I smiled at that, and the other Quinn realized her muscles couldn't keep going for much longer. I reminisced on the memories we'd shared, and the other Quinn struggled to see through her pooling tears. I laughed, and the other Quinn screamed. At least until we saw something move.

Movement.

I found myself unsealing my lips from his, half wondering how I got there and half wondering where I had been.

Look, his eyes.

My attention was drawn to his face. His eyelids fluttered open and closed as his head tilted slightly to the side.

He's alive.

Colt's alive.