How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 38: How do I ask for help?

Trigger warning: This chapter contains graphic description of suicide

_____

It felt good to tell Harry and Carla everything. They are my best friends and I knew that they'd support me. I'm also glad they know about Noah now, I'm pretty sure Harry was a little distant because of it.

When I wake up at 5:50 I feel good. I feel good in every aspect. I went to sleep early and got eight full hours of sleep. I told Austin I'd visit him at work tonight and my parents are still in this over the top good mood.

At seven I have my first call. I'm in the car with my coworker Lalit. He's close to thirty and also works voluntarily, but obviously he's not just an assistant like me.

The first job we have is bringing a pregnant woman in labor to the hospital. The woman is screaming the whole ride to the hospital. Guess what? I'm driving. Since I'm now eighteen I'm allowed to drive the vehicle. My coworker went through the rules with me again before.

We don't need to rush because the woman is far from giving birth. So, luckily, I don't have to turn on the signal and run red lights. When I started working in this job I had a training for driving the vehicle. But honestly? It's fucking scary to overtake basically every other car on the street.

After that we have to wait at the hospital for an hour and then pick up an elderly woman in a wheelchair and bring her home.

The day is going great. When I get back home at ten I'm pretty sure that there isn't gonna be another call. Until my work phone buzzes at ten thirty.

Another old person has to be driven to the hospital. Nice and easy day.

On our way back we get another call out. It's already after eleven, I'm pretty sure I'll have to work a bit longer today.

"The patient is unresponsive and the police is already there. That means there's gonna be an emergency doctor, too, but we will probably arrive before the emergency unit. Alright?" Lalit tells me while I put the address in the navigation system of the car. The address seems familiar.

I nod my head. This happened once before when we came to an accident. The emergency team arrived a minute after us to take over.

The emergency team can treat patients differently. They can even perform surgeries in the ambulance car. We obviously cannot do that in the regular ambulance.

When we arrive at the address I instantly recognize the building. That's where Max lives with his father. I have a bad feeling about this. I just saw him two days ago. He's gotta be fine. Maybe his dad did him a favour and had a heart attack.

Okay, sorry.

Please just don't let Max be the patient.

There's a police car in the driveway of the house.

"I know who lives here." I say when the vehicle comes to a halt next to the police car. I can see the neighbours looking out the windows, everyone's trying to catch a glimpse of what's happening.

"If you get overwhelmed you leave and wait for the emergency unit and guide them inside." My partner says when we quickly grab our equipment.

When we get inside there's a policeman talking to Max's father and a girl my age in the kitchen. They both look pale and shocked. The girl has tears all over her face, but looks up relieved as soon as we walk in.

The police man seems to be consoling them. He tries to keep them inside the kitchen.

It's gonna be fine.

A police woman appears at the end of a long hallway, she waves her hand, signalling that the patient is there.

When I hear the words 'suicide attempt' and 'gunshot' I feel my heart drop. They're not talking about Max. No.