I feel that something is wrong. The unexpected sensation of water at the back of my neck surprises me and Im in a place where Id rather not be surprised. I move my head from side to side, confirming my first impression, and with superhuman effort I force myself to inform Houston of what I can feel, knowing that it could signal the end of this EVA. On the ground, Shane confirms they have received my message and he asks me to await instructions. Chris, who has just finished, is still nearby and he moves towards me to see if he can see anything and identify the source of the water in my helmet.
At first, were both convinced that it must be drinking water from my flask that has leaked out through the straw, or else its sweat. But I think the liquid is too cold to be sweat, and more importantly, I can feel it increasing. I cant see any liquid coming out of the drinking water valve either. When I inform Chris and Shane of this, we immediately receive the order to terminate the sortie. The other possibility, to abort, is used for more serious problems. Im instructed to go back to the airlock. Together we decide that Chris should secure all the elements that are outside before he retraces his steps to the airlock, i.e. he will first move to the front of the Station. And so we separate.
As I move back along my route towards the airlock, I become more and more certain that the water is increasing. I feel it covering the sponge on my earphones and I wonder whether Ill lose audio contact. The water has also almost completely covered the front of my visor, sticking to it and obscuring my vision. I realise that to get over one of the antennae on my route I will have to move my body into a vertical position, also in order for my safety cable to rewind normally. At that moment, as I turn upside-down, two things happen: the Sun sets, and my ability to see already compromised by the water completely vanishes, making my eyes useless; but worse than that, the water covers my nose a really awful sensation that I make worse by my vain attempts to move the water by shaking my head. By now, the upper part of the helmet is full of water and I cant even be sure that the next time I breathe I will fill my lungs with air and not liquid. To make matters worse, I realise that I cant even understand which direction I should head in to get back to the airlock. I cant see more than a few centimetres in front of me, not even enough to make out the handles we use to move around the Station.
I try to contact Chris and Shane: I listen as they talk to each other, but their voices are very faint now: I can hardly hear them and they cant hear me. Im alone. I frantically think of a plan. Its vital that I get inside as quickly as possible. I know that if I stay where I am, Chris will come and get me, but how much time do I have? Its impossible to know. Then I remember my safety cable. Its cable recoil mechanism has a force of around 3lb that will pull me towards the left. Its not much, but its the best idea I have: to follow the cable to the airlock. I force myself to stay calm and, patiently locating the handles by touch, I start to move, all the while thinking about how to eliminate the water if it were to reach my mouth. The only idea I can think of is to open the safety valve by my left ear: if I create controlled depressurisation, I should manage to let out some of the water, at least until it freezes through sublimation, which would stop the flow. But making a hole in my spacesuit really would be a last resort.
