Chapter 37

                                    

                                          
Mini held a bad feeling in her gut as DeeDee and herself worked together to keep the oxygen barrier up.  She was tapping her foot, impatient and worried about what might have happened to their ten year old mentor.  She looked around to see if Boo landed anywhere near them and turned around when she heard Sheela gasp.
                          
Mini looked back and saw Sheela pointing to a human figure slowly drifting in the water, downwards towards them.  She nodded to Aiden, who looked at her anticipation.  She pointed DeeDee towards him and said, "Adrishya," creating another air bubble around Aiden's head so he could see who the figure was.
                          
Aiden swam upward, quick as his flippers could take him, and thanks to some swimming classes, he got up there fast enough to inspect, what he now identified as, a person.  Aiden could only widen his eyes and cover his mouth as he saw their mentor floating through the water with his helmet floating beside him. His face was purple, and he looked near dead due to the lack of oxygen in his lungs. 
                          
Aiden launched forward, adrenaline cascading through his veins as he grabbed Boo and swam down to the air pocket Mini was holding up.  She let them through and Aiden let go of Boo.  The Potatoes crowded around the boy, their expressions morphing into a worry stricken face.
                          
	Nikita stared at the body, tears welling up as she realized that it was Boo, the one who promised that he would be safe in his separate bubble. Brynne turned away, as she put on her helmet to hide her tears. Rudy just stood there staring at the body infront of them.
                          
	Mini looked at Boo, her expressionless face, boring into Boo's soul, "Get around him.  Aiden, pump his chest - remember 120 chest compression per minute, Brynne make sure his legs are moving, Niki, if you have any herbs that we can use to help him get some oxygen, that would be great.  Rudy, you're on CPR duty, and don't worry, you don't have to put your mouth on his.  Just make sure he gets air into his lungs, and fast."
                          
	Aiden nodded slowly, putting his hands in the correct position to pump Boo's chest. Brynne stood to the side and pushed Rudy forwards to help. Rudy stared at her, uncertainly. 
                          
	"At this point Mini, I might as well do mouth to mouth. Just don't think about it right?" Rudy said.
                          
	Mini waved him off, "Do what you can, he doesn't have enough time, and I have to keep the air bubble up."
                          
	Hesitantly, Rudy leaned forward and began to blow air into Boo's lungs, and continued the pumping while Aiden took some rest. He hummed Stayin Alive to make sure he got the count right. 
                          
	Slowly but surely, Boo coughed up the water from his lungs and started to take huge gulps of air to satisfy his lungs.
                          
	The Potatoes let out breaths of relief that they didn't know they were holding in.  Mini smiled and watched as the Potatoes took turns hugging the exhausted boy, who was smiling weakly at them.  Mini briskly picked up his helmet to see what had caused it to unclasp. She noticed that one of the metal clips was broken. His helmet was faulty. 
                          
	"Boo... I believe you're stuck with us now. No way you going alone after that trick you pulled." Mini said, concern glazing her eyes.
                          
	Boo grimaced, mumbling, "I never had a choice did I?"
                          
	Mini chuckled, "Nope. But Boo, didn't you say there was a price or something for using an uncharged jewel? What was it?"
                          
	He sighed, failing at an attempt at walking, " Nothing much.  I just had to send her back to the Heavens for a few seconds.  Apparently, I didn't let her stay there for enough time."  Boo discretely clutched his side, making sure one noticed him cringing at the slow growing pain in the organ.
                          
	Suddenly Karen popped out from behind Boo, " No,  he had to-" 
                          
	Boo snapped his fingers, effectively quieting his jewel, " That's enough Karen. Go recharge. I'm fine," Boo said, a strange glint present in his eyes.