Page 18 of The Freshman

“We’re gonna all getfired,” Glen whined, backing out of the cell.

Alfie gritted his teeth and shone thelight inside Queenie’s drying mouth. He widened his eyes at thebrown lump stuffed down Queenie’s throat.

“What thefuck…”

He didn’t bother with gloves butplunged his fingers into Queenie’s mouth. It was the wrong angle touse his thumb and forefinger. Instead, he had to grip the objectwith the tips of his fore and middle. The angle was tight. His nailscratched the back of Queenie’s throat, but he kept pushing. Hepinched the soft material with his fingers and pulled it fromQueenie’s mouth.

He dropped it to the floor with agrimace and handed the torch back to Marie.

“He’s still notbreathing.”

Alfie kneeled at Queenie’s side,assumed the correct position, and pushed down with his linkedhands. Queenie’s body jolted with the count of thirty, but hislungs didn’t start on their own accord. Alfie shuffled towardQueenie’s head, pinched his nose, and covered his bluing lips withhis.

Alfie didn’t know how long he carriedout CPR, but it was long enough for Henry to appear in the doorway,wheezing.

He cleared his throat into his tissue,shook his head, then muttered, “Such a shame.”

Alfie ignored him and kept trying.That’s what they taught him in the first aid class. Keeping goinguntil the ambulance arrived. If you get tired, swap with someoneelse. Marie was comforting Glen in the corridor, and Henry lookedlike performing CPR would break his arms.

Alfie continued till his biceps achedand his shoulder throbbed. He breathed so forcefully into Queenie’smouth it left him panting, and his head spun after the two vitalbreaths. He had practiced for two minutes on the stupid mannequinchest. It had been fun. They had laughed.

The real thing wasn’t fun. It was theworst moment off his life, and he felt Queenie’s lips go coldbeneath his.

“Give it up, Freshman.Queenie’s gone.”

The voice was only a dejected whisper,one that Henry didn’t hear, and Glen and Marie didn’t care for whenconsoling each other. Alfie shook his head, denying Nate’s words.He liked Queenie. In his head he could admit it. He knew he wasthere for a violent assault charge, knew it must have beenparticularly savage for him to be placed on H-wing, but he likedhim.

Henry’s hand curled around hisshoulder. “That’s enough, lad. These things happen. I’ll tell Ryanyou tried your best, tell him you three were quick torespond.”

“But we weren’t quickenough!” Alfie snapped.

Henry leaned closer and spoke directlyinto his ear. “Shhh. We need to look after our own.”

Alfie shook his head and shrugged hisshoulder to remove Henry’s hand. “I need to do my job.”

Henry sighed and backed away. Alfiepressed down on Queenie’s chest weaker than before. He heard thegate clang in the lobby and the stairs taking a metallic batteringfrom feet. Just as the ambulance crew filled the doorway, Queeniecoughed, spluttered, and rolled on his side.

Alfie held his breath, lettingadrenaline flood his weary limbs.

Queenie kept coughing and Alfie pattedhis back firmly. Another brown object shot from Queenie’s mouth andlanded on the floor. He groaned, and it was the nicest sound Alfiehad ever heard.

Alfie staggered to his feet and movedaside for the paramedics. He stumbled out of the cell, then slumpeddown the wall, shutting his eyes and getting reacquainted withbreathing just for himself.

“Nice one,Freshman.”

He turned his head at the voice, soclose to his ear he expected Nate to be there, sat with his back tothe wall and legs bent in front, just like him. The words wrappedaround Alfie’s neck, soothed the cramped muscles. He hadn’trealized he was leaning against Nate’s cell and was too exhaustedto shuffle away. He panted and pressed his sweaty forehead on thecool metal.

“Breathe,” Natewhispered.

Alfie thought it was meant for Queenieand rolled his head against the door.

“He is breathing,” Alfiegulped.

“I meant you.”

Alfie snorted. “I’m allright.”

“Breathe deep and slow,”Nate said softly.

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