Breath

It feels like a confusing place. It's not dark and it's not something to be feared. But it doesn't feel right either. No matter how wide the gaze, nothing can be seen on the outside. But here, it seems clear. Like a painter's canvas, the surroundings are clear, yet muted by strokes of the artist. There's no gravity, but no dizziness either.

Breath. Air fills the lungs, expanding them, sending oxygen through the blood. A light. A face.

It's warm here. Like a child at play. Or a rainy day inviting a soft blanket. It's like the feeling of blowing the seeds off a dandelion to watch them float on the summer breeze.

Breath. Air flows in and out. A voice. A face. Desperation. Begging.

But it's so nice here. Can't I stay?


Rick whirls around at Katie's cry and sees her trying to revive Ryder. His eyes wide, he rushes to Ryder's side, checking his pulse and looking at his eyes. "I don't understand - he was stable not five minutes ago."

Moving quickly, he takes over, directing Katie to stand back, and asking for Misty's assistance. "Don't do this," Rick speaks as if hoping his words would revive his patient. He couldn't lose someone. Not like this. He breathes into Ryder's lungs, his hands going to the chest to pump, counting in his head.


Breath. It comes. It goes. It draws life. But it calls the soul from this place. It beckons. Time held no bearing. But not now... not now.


"Come on, Ryder," Rick begs as he and Misty do all they can. He gives orders, desperate to see the life back in the man's eyes.


Breath. It breaks through the barrier, shattering the light. The colors of the canvas twist and turn into a blur of reality and dream. A flash of darkness hits until the cold air is felt once more. Life. But which was truly life?


Ryder's eyes spark and suddenly he gasps for breath. He looks around wildly, staring up into the faces that were still not familiar to him. A panic sets in, and once more he starts to fight.

"Whoa, whoa, easy." Rick tries to hold him down, not knowing if he should be relieved he was breathing again or afraid of overworking Ryder's system. "Katie, talk to him, please," he directs. They'd administered all the drugs they'd dared, they'd started his heart and breathing once more. But he needed to be kept still to recover.