Slipping Through My Fingers - Nathan MacKinnon

Chapter 2

Three years old

"We're back in full swing, I see," Terry mumbled, keeping his eyes on the beach with his binoculars. "There's no way we'll get past today without a couple rescues."

His statement made you sigh, silently hoping that nobody will get hurt on your shift. Being a lifeguard - as much as you loved it - was mentally as hard as it was physically. You couldn't recall how many times you had gone back to your apartment holding back tears of stress, your body tense and hoping for some release.

With Andrew by your side, though, your days weren't as grim as you remembered them to be. Coming home after a long day to a light squeal of 'mommy' and your baby boy's small arms wrapping around your legs was truly the free therapy you needed to go to sleep happy, and eventually wake up with a smile on your face, ready to face a new day.

The light sound of babbling and butchered words snapped you out of your trance, your eyes falling on Andy by your side. He was sitting on one of the rolling chairs, his arms barely reaching the desk in front of him as he played with his firefighter truck. Engine noises left his mouth, and you couldn't help but brush a hand through his hair, focusing back on the beach as soon as you could.

"We need backup at the rip," Connor's voice came from the radio. "There's too many people down here."

"Coming," you rushed, dropping your sunglasses before taking a quick glance at Andrew. He was peacefully playing, poking Terry's side with his tiny fingers to catch his attention every once in a while. "Don't bother Terry, Andy. Mommy will be back soon."

Andrew just hummed, your body already out the door as you sprinted down towards the rip, joining your colleague Max at his side. Your eyes focused on the water and the various heads poking out of it, taking your shirt off when you noticed Con had already gone in.

"Grab a board, Y/N," Max said, pointing towards a body a couple meters out. "I've got a man down there raising his hand."

Without question, you grabbed the nearest board and ran for the waves, hopping on top and starting to paddle when your feet stopped hitting the bottom. Keeping your eyes on the man, you watched his head bob, going underwater before rising enough to breathe in a small amount of air. You needed to be quick.

Your arms began to hurt, but you quickened your pace to reach him. His strangled voice reached your ears just as you stopped by his side, grabbing him before he could go down again. Helping him on top of the board, your eyes fell back to the rest of the rip, seeing Max calling you back towards shore.

The man lying on the board, though, looked anything but fine. He was out of breath, coughing out water, spent from trying to keep himself afloat. Your hand rose automatically, signaling Max that the man needed urgent care as soon as he reached shore. He might have not drowned, but he still risked secondary drowning.

"Hang on, mate. Stay awake for me." You told him, paddling as quickly as you could towards Max. Distant screams of help were placated by your colleagues, who rescued the few people in danger.

When you put your feet back on land, you got the man off the board with Max's help, who dragged the patient towards the sand. Your co-worker started barking orders, but your eyes were settled on the ocean once again. A small head was peaking far out, a nest of dark hair pulled back by a pair of bright green goggles. It was a little boy.

You ran back out, paddling as quickly as you could towards the kid. You were spent, in need of some energy yourself, but this kid's life was just as important as any other's. Why the hell was he in the rip?

His legs kicked, struggling to keep him afloat in the deep water as he cried. Your heart was beating out of your chest as you came close enough to him to lift him on the board. You sat back, taking a good look at him to search for any injuries before breathing a sigh of relief. He was fine.