Life Support

Suddenly, they are both jolted around violently in the escape pod, it's clear that something must have struck them. The pod is spinning out of control and Anon quickly loses his consciousness as a result. Fortunately, the small engines on the escape pod are able to kick into action to stabilize their position after a few tense seconds.

Through the small porthole, Anon can see that the debris surrounding them is starting to dissipate. He feels a sense of relief wash over him, even though he knows that their fight for survival has only just begun.

It's the first time he can check on the girl's condition and notices that she has been knocked unconscious too, but still hasn't gained consciousness. There is some blood on her head, probably from being jostled around when the escape pod was violently thrown off course.

He wished he could further assess her condition and attend to her wounds, but the miniscule confines of the escape pod left no room to move. It was heartbreaking for him;

But there was no time to think, the computer systems of the escape pod had already activated and begun to notify him that the life support systems were now being engaged. Anon was a mechanic on board their spaceship and had worked on these pods numerous times as part of their routine maintenance. He knew that there was no oxygen to breathe, instead oxygen would be delivered directly into the passenger's bloodstream intravenously. This technology was the most efficient and energy saving way for providing essential oxygen needed. The only way the pods could last and provide life for years.

The medical system was incredibly advanced, making the procedure almost unnoticeable. An oxygen line was inserted into his body, and it immediately started to draw blood out of his veins, mix it with oxygen, then return it back to him. The new mixture of air-enriched blood, strengthening him from the inside. He could feel himself becoming more alert and invigorated with every passing moment.

He knew that this must mean that the remaining oxygen in the air inside the pod was diminishing rapidly, and with only one intravenous oxygen line inside, his thoughts raced as to how he could prevent the girl from suffocating. The pod was small, containing only basic supplies necessary for survival. There were no inhalers or other devices to help deliver additional oxygen to her.

She was still lying unconscious, squeezed close to his body. He had to find a way to save her, and fast, before it was too late and she succumbed whilst being pressed against him. His mind raced with frantic ideas of what he could do.

Time felt like it was standing still in this moment of sheer panic. Then he heard her struggling for breath.

Grasping at straws, he remembered first aid techniques and knew that he had to act fast. With trembling hands, he pulled her head to tilt back slightly. Taking a deep breath, he placed his mouth over hers and began blowing air into her lungs in an attempt to give her the oxygen that she so desperately needed.

He could feel his breath slowly matching hers. She was regaining a sense of calm as he worked to keep an even, steady tempo. It felt like he had found a way to save her for the moment - as long as he kept going, they would both be okay. He never imagined it would come down to something like this; that his own respiration would become so essential in the life of another human being.