Kenji stood at the edge of the plane's open hatch, the wind roaring in his ears. His heart raced with a thrilling mix of fear and excitement. The world below seemed vast and inviting, a blue canvas waiting for his descent. Kenji took a deep breath, feeling the snug reassurance of his black and white swimsuit and the gentle pressure of his diving regulator. With a nod to his fellow skydiver, he leaped into the sky, the world becoming a blur of azure and white.
The wind whipped past Kenji's face, exhilarating and free. But as he reached for his parachute cord, a sudden jolt of terror shot through him. The chute billowed open, but the ground rushed up too quickly. Kenji twisted, desperately trying to avoid the power lines that now loomed like menacing serpents. Too late. The chute snagged, and a searing pain surged through his body as electricity crackled around him. Darkness closed in as he drifted into unconsciousness.
Kotaro, a fellow skydiver with quick reflexes and a steely determination, had watched in horror as Kenji got caught. With adrenaline surging, she landed as close as she could, sprinting towards him. Kotaro skidded to her knees beside Kenji's motionless form, fumbling for the AED she always carried in emergencies. "Hang on, Kenji. I’m here," she murmured, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
Kotaro worked with precision, her fingers deftly peeling back the fabric of Kenji's swimsuit to place the AED pads. The machine beeped, analyzing, and then came the command: Shock advised. She took a deep breath, praying this would work, and pressed the button. Kenji's body jerked violently, but his eyes remained closed. Kotaro didn't hesitate, starting CPR with determination, her hands a rhythmic blur against the stillness of his chest.
As Kotaro counted compressions, a small crowd began to gather, murmuring anxiously. Suddenly, Kenji gasped, his eyes fluttering open as if waking from a deep sleep. Relief washed over Kotaro, tears of joy mingling with the sweat on her brow. Kenji coughed weakly, trying to sit up. "Easy, Kenji. You've been through a lot," she said, her voice a soothing balm over the chaos.
Kenji sat on the grass, sipping water and watching the sky change colors. Kotaro sat beside him, their silence filled with unspoken gratitude and a newfound bond forged in the crucible of life and death. "Thank you, Kotaro," Kenji finally said, his voice still raspy but filled with sincerity. She smiled, the weight of the day lifting as they watched the sun set on their harrowing adventure, knowing that tomorrow would bring yet another dive, but this time, with a friend by his side.
