I grab my sister’s hand and pull her towards the cliff edge with me. She nods slowly in my direction. Then we jump. I can feel the heat of bullet around us as we fall, watching the ocean rise to meet us. We get into position just before we hit the surface, upright like toy soldiers to prevent broken bones on entry. I take my last breath just in time.

We sink into the water until we’re so deep the sun barely reaches us. The ankle weights beneath our jeans drag us towards the bottom. I cling to my sister’s hand like a lifeline, anchoring her in place. I pull off my backpack and remove the respirator. My lungs ache for air, but I clear the line and shove the mouthpiece into my sister’s face. Through the darkness and saltwater singing my eyes, I can’t tell if she is conscious. My heart pounds in my ears. My lungs scream and spasm for oxygen.

Finally, I see my sister’s limbs thrash to life. Bubbles snake from her face towards the surface. Alive. I am too close to unconsciousness to feel relief. I reach out my hands and wait for the feel of plastic on my palm. When the oxygen hits my lips, I am resurrected. I feel the bubbles travel from blood to brain. I can think again. I take a few deep breaths and give the respirator back to my sister. We alternate like this, suspended in the near-dark, for as long as we dare. The world around us is as alien as outer space. We are the only two people in this starless galaxy.

We hold each other close for comfort, connected by the umbilical of our oxygen source. Twins once again returned to the womb.

-on the run from bad guys

-girl bosses thrown into a life of chaos figuring it out as they go

-faking their own death to escape

-identical twins using this to their advantage