How To Save A Life

Chapter 1 ⚠️

That is ur only trigger warning ^

----

She walks down the same route she always takes after work. Usually this wouldn't be a problem for her, except this time she got out late. Like really late. The weather was cold, the wind was fierce, and the emptiness of the streets did nothing to comfort her. In fact, it did the exact opposite. Yet for some reason she didn't call an Uber, Ruby, or Morgan, or anyone to give her a ride home. Her apartment was about two blocks from her work so she thought nothing of it. She crosses the same bridge that she crosses every day to and from work. She spots someone in the distance. At first, she was filled with fear and dread but upon further inspection she came to realize that the person was standing on the ledge.

She hurries to them while trying to be quiet, don't want to scare them off. Literally. She slows down once she gets closer. "Hey...." The woman sniffles but doesn't look at her. "Hey." "Um, whatever it is that's going on, i promise you'll make it through. And you'll come out stronger than ever before. Just....let me help you off of there, safely." She slowly approaches the girl, hand held out. She sees her look at her hand from the corner of her eye. The woman slowly turns around and grabs her hand. She grips tight as soon as the girl holds her hand.

"There we go. Now, let me help you ok?" She grips her sides and helps her back over the ledge and onto her feet. "There you go. You're gonna be ok, i promise. This is isn't the answer." She whispered. The girl shakes her head. "There is no answer, there's no other way out." She shakes her head. "There is, i promise you, there is. There's always another way. Just....let me help you find it, whatever it is." She hesitates but slowly nods. "Come on, let's get you warmed up. My apartment is just across this bridge." She holds out her hand as the girl holds onto it. She wasn't sure why. Why was this stranger helping her? For what? Did she want something from her? Everyone always does. They walk to her apartment, her grip never once lightened up.

She lets her in and has her sit on the couch. She goes to the kitchen and turns on the kettle before going down the hall and coming back with a blanket. She covers the woman before going back to the kitchen and pouring a cup. "Um, i hope hot chocolate is fine?" She sets it down in front of her. The girl reaches for it before slowly bringing it to her mouth. She sips slowly, letting the warmth flow down her throat, past her heart and settle into her stomach. She finishes her drink and set its down on the table. She feels her eyes slowly close before she suddenly sits up. She was not about to fall asleep on someone strangers couch. "Um, did you wanna talk about it?" She shakes her head. "Did someone hurt you?" She shakes her head. She decided not to pry too much. She checks the time on her phone. 2:31AM. "Um, I'll let you sleep then, i guess. Just, let me know if you need anything?" Kylie sighs. "Can i at least know your name?" After a moment, the girl speaks. "Malia." She smiles sadly. They lock eyes for a moment and she swears she's in love. "Malia, that's a beautiful name." She just nods and lays down. "Um I'm gonna go to sleep now. I'm Kylie, by the way."

She goes to her room and changes into her pj's. Why did Malia almost try to take her own life? What led her to feel this way? She gets up out of bed and walks down the stairs, looking over at the couch. She smiles at the sight of Malia smiling in her sleep. She gets in bed and lays there. "Malia.... I don't know what happened but i promise I'll make it better." Kylie whispered as her eyes felt heavy.

----

This story was inspired by the song with the same title as the book.