Chapter 5

Alice's POV

I took the child from Esme and rushed down the hill to Emmett's vehicle. I called for him and he ran to meet us, motioning me into the back where he put the seat down flat.

"Hello, princess," he spoke gently to the girl while setting to work examining her tiny little features. "Can you take a big, deep breath for me and hold it?"

Emmalyn struggled with the task and continued to wheeze. I rubbed her back gently in circles in an attempt to soothe her.

"Her brother said she has asthma. Her inhaler was in the car," I explained.

Emmett turned to me with a look of concern that aged him beyond his years. "Go to my bag. There is an extra portable 02 tank and a child-sized mask. Tell Edward we need that inhaler."

I ran to gather the equipment and relay the message. My brother didn't hesitate before diving back into the icy water in search of the backpack. I didn't waste time gathering items before returning to find Emma's condition has worsened. Carlisle was trying to coach her through breathing, her vomit littered the front of his shirt.

"Here," I offered, handing him the mask.

"Deep breaths now...In and out..." The girl was hyperventilating. "Shhhh, darlin'...Just breathe," Carlisle took the mask and before he could lift it to her face, she reached out to grab it. Pressing it tightly against her face, she gasped in oxygen while Carlisle fastened the elastic in place. "Good girl, now, calm your breathing..." His hand rested against her belly assisting with the motion. It didn't help though as it became more and more difficult for her to get a breath.

"She's cyonotic..." Emmett looked around for Edward who remained in the water. Beads of sweat stood out on the child's forehead, I leaned over to wipe them away as she struggled to stay sitting upright. Her whole body appeared to be gasping for air. "I'm going to help look."

Emmett disappeared into the water as well as I exchanged glances with Carlisle. The girl was in trouble if we couldn't do something soon. I could see the effects worsening even as we waited. Carlisle lifted her up into his arms against his chest so she could feel the rhythm of his breaths. Smart.

"I know you scared, babygirl," he spoke soothingly. "Shhh...nice, slow breaths...With me. You feel that? Try to breath in when I do. In through your nose like you're smelling a flower, out through your mouth like you're blowing bubbles...OK? You got it...that's right. Easy now. Keep going."

"I've got it!" Edward and Emmett came running up from the shore, inhaler in hand. The medicine was administered quickly by Carlisle's expert hands then he continued to rock the girl as slowly her breathing began to change. "You're going to be OK, Em...I've got ya..Shhhh."

My thoughts were interrupted by Jacob's voice calling for Carlisle and Emmett. There was a panic to his voice that signaled an immediate response.

"Alice, just keep doing what I've been doing. The albuterol is in her system now. It's relaxing the muscles in the airways and will increase airflow to her lungs. If she worsens, call for me and I'll be right here." He must have seen my uncertainty because he added, "You'll be OK."

And so I found myself sitting in the back of the Jeep humming as I rocked the child and waited for rescue to arrive.