James Rodriguez

I cleared space around David, keeping his airway position while Sarah worked.

A convulsion stopped abruptly, not the gradual relaxation of successful treatment and immediate cessation that experience feels medics recognise instantly.

Sarah's fingers pressed against David's carotid artery.

December 8th, 2025-20.

No pulse.

She immediately began chest compressions, her movements precise.

Bag in my kit, set up for intubation.

I retrieved the emergency airway kit, preparing the equipment with practiced motions.

We'd trained for field emergencies, dozens of times.

Procedures were automatic, even as I registered what was happening.

David was dying, hat tied.

Technically, we were attempting a resuscitation.

Sarah continued compressions for seven minutes.

I maintained the ambu bag ventilation after she established an airway.

We rotated compression duties once, administered a second epinephrine dose.

Applied the portable defibrillator from the emergency kit.

No response.

At 15.07, Sarah sat back on her heels, face slick with sweat.

Time of death, 15.07.

The clearing fell silent.