Life starts now - A Bondi Rescue story

The Shadow Side

A/N: Hi everybody! First of all, big thanks to all of you lovely people who voted, faved or commented on this story. You are amazing and I am so happy that you like my writing :)

This chapter is a bit darker and deals with serious topics such as depression and suicidal thoughts. If any of you are triggered by this, please proceed with caution!

Also, if you are contemplating suicide or just need someone to talk to, please reach out. I'll put some links at the bottom to helplines and organisations that will help you.

One day later, Melanie came face to face with the more serious, more tragic side of lifeguarding.

"Bondi Central to...North Bondi", Burkey spoke over the radio. "I just got a report of somebody up on the cliffs that looks like they might want to jump, so I'd like someone to get up there quickly please."

The brunette didn't hesitate. She keyed her radio and responded: "Yeah, Melanie to Central, I'm on my way", already running up the beach as fast as she could.

"Central to Melanie, Deano's headed your way on the quad bike", he informed her, following her rapid progress through the binoculars.

She forced out a simple "Copy that, Central", not wanting to waste any more air than necessary.

Deano came to a quick stop beside her and Melanie hopped on, holding on to him as they raced up to the cliffs at top speed.

A crowd had gathered, but everybody was staying back, leaving a single figure close to the edge. Melanie had jumped off before the quad bike had fully stopped and weaved her way through the people, muting her radio in the process.

"Hi", she spoke gently, voice pitched just loud enough to carry on the wind. She didn't want to startle the young man. He wasn't right at the edge, but in the worst case, if he took fright, he could slip and fall.

He froze and whirled around. "Don't come any closer!", he cried, throwing a hand out as if to physically stop her.

Melanie obliged, raising her hands in the universal sign of surrender. "Okay", she agreed calmly. "I won't. Can you tell me your name?"

"What does it matter?", he sniffled, shrugging despondently.

"My name is Melanie", she offered in return. While outwardly, she seemed calm and collected, she was totally freaking out inside. Fear of failing, of losing the young man, raged in her chest, making her heart pound and her stomach roil.

He was silent for a while, studying her intently. "Chase", he eventually said.

The rookie lifeguard smiled at him, feeling as if she had just passed some sort of test. "Nice to meet you, Chase."

She brushed a few wayward strands out of her face, using that casual, insignificant motion to glance behind her in order to spot Deano. He was quietly trying to get the onlookers to move back a little while staying close enough to provide back-up.

Clearing her throat, she spoke to the young man. "I think you know why I'm here, right?"

He hummed and asked, voice dripping with sudden bitterness: "You don't want me to ruin these peoples' day, huh?"

Melanie immediately shook her head. "No", she denied categorically. "No. I'm worried about you."

"Worried about me", he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Why should you worry about me?"