Fading Away

Chapter One

"Stop!" I screamed, "don't jump!"

I ran, full speed, towards the figure in the distance who was standing right on the edge of the bridge, about to take a step out. It was late and dark but their silhouette was outlined by the dim light of the moon. My heart raced, thudding in my chest as I sprinted towards them. They briefly glanced towards me but did not step down. Instead, they leaned froward, as if getting themself ready to jump.

"Please!" I cried at the top of my lungs. "Please don't jump!" I wan't even close to them and I couldn't run any faster. Come on legs, I thought to myself, faster! My asthma was suffocating me but I kept running.

"Why?" I heard them sob quietly. They sounded so hopeless and lost. "There's no point."

I ran even faster, adrenaline keeping me going. I did not want to see someone die. "Yes there is" I yelled. I was almost there. I could do this.

"No there isn't!" They yelled back, sounding broken.

"There is always a point!" I cried as I grabbed them, pulling them backwards, away from the edge.

We collapsed on the floor besides each other. Me from exhaustion and them from hopelessness. They smelt like beer and B.O as a lay next to them, breathing so hard I felt like I was stealing all the oxygen that existed, yet my chest was still tight and my vision was going dark from oxygen deprivation. Hold it together, I thought. It isn't over yet.

"I'm going to call an ambulance" I said calmly as I pulled out my phone, dialing 999.

"No! Please don't" they begged, half chocking on a sob, desperation in their eyes.

"I have to..." I said quietly, feeling guilty for going against their wishes but knowing that it was for the best.

They sighed but said no more as I spoke to the person on the other side of the line. Once I'd finished speaking, I looked at the person who I had just saved. It was dark and I couldn't see much but I could see that the currently sobbing person was a male with bags under his eyes and unkept facial hair. He was wearing a hoodie with old jeans and his hair was long and scruffy. 

"What's your name?" I asked, not wanting to bring up sensitive subjects like 'why did you want to kill yourself?'

"Tyler."

"I'm Hailey. How old are you?" Small talk sucks but it will keep him distracted until the ambulance gets here.

"19."

Thankfully, I spotted the ambulance coming up the road. Thank god they were quick, I thought as it pulled up right in front of us, its lights blinding us. 

"Sir. Madam." The paramedic greeted us.

"Hello," I said "I'm Hailey. This is Tyler, the man I called about..."

"Yes, of course." She smiled politely. "Are you his girlfriend?"

I frowned "Oh no! I don't know this man, sorry" 

"Well, okay." She turned to Tyler, "Hello, sir. How are you feeling?"

He just grunted at her and stood up unsteadily. I think it's pretty obvious how he is feeling...

"I think he has had a little too much to drink" I informed her. She nodded and grabbed his arm, leading him carefully to the ambulance. I stood around awkwardly, not knowing what to do now. She came back out once she had him settled. 

"Thank you for helping him tonight. What you did was very courageous."

I just smiled slightly, not knowing what to say. "Will you let me know how he gets on, just for some peace of mind?"

She paused, thinking. "I don't see how that would be a problem. Can I have a contact number then please?"

I gave it to her and she left after checking that I was okay. I said that I was fine but honestly, I think I'm in shock. I began to walk home slowly, shaking slightly. My legs felt like jelly that could barely hold me. Pulling out my phone, I called Zack. It rang twice.

"Hey sexy! I wonder why you're calling me so late?" I could hear the smirk in his voice and if this was a text, there would definitely be a winky face. I felt better already, although his comment was inappropriate as usual. Especially since I'm not his girlfriend. 

"I've had a rough night" I sighed, feeling sorry for myself.

"I could make it rougher if you want..." Definitely a wink there. 

"I'm serious, Zack." He was making me want to laugh but I was still shaking and on the verge of tears.

"What's wrong? Are you crying?" He sounded worried now, the joking tone gone. "Was that a car I heard drive by?...Are you outside alone? Hailey, It's really late! You know it's not safe." He sounded mad too. He always worried too much about me.

"I'm okay." I said defensively.

"You don't sound okay"

"I'm not okay" I sighed. I didn't have the energy to be stubborn. "Will you just come and meet me please? I need some company and hugs from my best friend."

"Of course. Where are you?"

"On the bridge near the park"

"I'm on my way."