Tales of Aridia

Hope

I began performing CPR, pressing on her chest as hard as possible with regular pulses. I had no idea what to do, the closest person in reach was Lucy. Water was spilling out the sides of Hopes mouth, slightly tinted with blood. Frantically, I pulled out my phone and called Lucy.

"Lucy! Please I need you Hopes in trouble!" I shouted. I didn't know how long she'd take, or whether she'd get there in time to save her life. I phoned an ambulance, but they would take at least 30 minutes to reach Hope. Lucy was our best shot.

When we were younger I recalled that she trained in CPR and lifeguarding. Maybe this was her area of expertise. I opened Hopes mouth to blow air into her lungs but I was met with a gush of water that had been sealed behind her rosy lips. She choked a little, and her eyes fluttered open. They opened and closed momentarily before focusing. She seemed all but fine, not moving just staring into my eyes. Her back arched and she spluttered and choked violently. Her head was thrown forwards and backwards, her body attempting to clear the lungs of water.

I was out of my depth, I didn't know what to do. By a stroke of luck Lucy came pounding down the mud and slid next to Hope. Her black hair dangled next to Hope as she opened her mouth and began to resuscitate her.  It wasn't working, Hopes struggles continued with no sign of recovery.

Unfortunately Lucy came to another strategy. One that I had been reluctant to use. "I can do it." Lucy said persistently. "What if it goes wrong?" I asked. Lucy paid no attention, she was absorbed in saving Hope and so much so that she was willing to risk everything. "I'll pull the water out," Lucy said. My eyes widened in horror, she couldn't.

Lucy hovered her hands above Hopes body and closed her eyes. For a moment she sat still, in silence. Only the whimpers escaping from Hope could be heard. 

Nothing happened. We awaited for a miracle but there was nothing. Hope has also stopped her squirming. And then, Hopes white top became soaked in red stains. Each one expanding rapidly. "What have you done?!" I yelled. Lucy's face became cloaked in fear in guilt as she stared at the shivering body. A chill ran up my spine as blood seemed to pour all where possible. It broke through her skin and ran down her eyes. Red tears splashed on the leaves beneath her head. The white in her eyes had been masked and her body already began to smell like it was rotting away.

Quickly I sprang to action. Focusing my mind I tried to reverse what Lucy had done. While deep in concentration I had not noticed that she had bounded off away from the scene. Lucy had scampered away, afraid and alone into the darkness of the forest. Leaving me to save Hopes life. Soon the blood receded, seeping back into the pores and cracks in her skin. The whites in her eyes became visible and Hope began breathing once more.

I held Hope close, rocking her head between my arms. The warmth radiated in her skin and the cold escaped. Pulling back the blonde hair that covered her ears I whispered gently, "you'll be okay" I said. The guilt started to settle in when I realised what I had done. I had been so naive. My immaturity almost lead to Hopes death. Even if I wasn't the one who had caused it I was the root of the problem. I made Lucy what she was....Her actions were my burden to bear.