'Her soul was too deep to explore by those who always swam in the shallow end.'

-a.j.lawless

***

Axel's POV:

"Shit!" I curse, leaning over the guardrail as if I could catch her.

I watch in silent horror as she is engulfed by the dark waters of the river. I feel helpless as I watch her sink into it's depths. I search desperately for a way to save her, I just can't let her die.

Not on my watch.

Seeing no one, I groan and grip my hair in frustration, tugging hard. I run to the other side of the bridge, knowing the currents will have carried her. I see no other choice and decide to strip off my leather jacket and shirt, along with my shoes and socks. I drop them in a pile in the middle of the bridge, hoping it will stop people so that they can get help.

Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for the inevitably cold waters below and climb over the pole. I mumble a few curses under my breath, then I dive. For a few moments, I'm suspended in the air and then I'm in the churning currents of the river.

The cold threatens to steal my breath and immobilize me, but I fight the water. I swim quickly, knowing time for Kelsey is running out. If we get out of this, I know for sure that we'll end up with a cold or even hypothermia. I come up for air once more, before diving deep with strong strokes with my arms.

I feel along the sand and debris that lines the bottom of the river, visibility dim with the dark water. I'm beginning to panic as the minutes tick by. I can't give up, I won't let Kelsey throw her life away like that. Not when this world still has so much to offer.

Just as I'm about to give up and my body is numb and sluggish, I feel my hand brush against cold flesh. I reach out in a last attempt to save her, feeling the weight of exhaustion crash down on me. I grab what feels like an arm and swim towards the surface, pulling her dead weight with me.
Oh, please don't be dead.

I break through the surface, struggling to stay above the water as I hold Kelsey's lifeless body against me. I'm breathing heavily and I'm not sure how much longer I can tread water. I search frantically for a way out of the strong currents and freezing water.

I spot a ladder ascending alongside a second bridge. I nearly sag with relief, my muscles screaming in protest as I battle the currents. I manage to drag us over to the rusting ladder, my teeth chattering obnoxiously. I throw Kelsey over my shoulder, then grip the cold metal firmly. I take a deep breath, before hauling our drenched bodies up the vertical ladder, my muscles straining and threatening to give out.

I reach the top and shakily pull myself over the top, Kelsey's limp in my arms. I lay her cold body on the pavement, careful as I handle her. I strip her of her sodden hoodie, along with her socks and shoes. Her pale skin is pasty, tinted blue and purple. Her lips a bright blue.

I brush Kelsey's wet hair from her face and attempt to find a pulse in her neck. Finding nothing, panic sets in and I try again with each wrist, but feel only her chilled skin. I hold her against me, standing up and running for the other bridge. I nearly trip multiple times, my body shaking like a leaf and my muscles feeling like jelly. I keep running though, refusing to give up on Kelsey.

I set her down gently, almost collapsing beside her in exhaustion. I breath deeply, my chest heaving as I peel off her soaked shirt and replace it with mine. I pull on my leather jacket, shrinking into it for some warmth. I quickly search the pockets for my phone, desperation in my frantic actions.

I can't let her die.

With that in mind, I unlock my iPhone, pressing on the emergency services at the bottom of the screen. I quickly dial 911 and press the cool surface of my phone against my ear as I wait for someone to pick up. I grip my hair with my free hand, loosing patience, before I hear a click and someone's voice answers.

"This is 911, how can I help you," an older woman's voice speaks and relief floods me.

"S-She killed herself," I exclaim in disbelief, my brown eyes trained on Kelsey's still face.

"Sir, I need you to remain calm and relay what you know to me," the woman says through the tiny speaker, "Can you do that for me?"

"Um, a friend of mine ran out of class after reading some harsh note and ran to a bridge," I gulp, pressing my palm to my forehead, "I tried to stop her, but she didn't listen and jumped. I have managed to pull her ashore, but the water was freezing. Her skin is blue and she isn't breathing..."

"Sir, what is your location?" her voice is calm, then again she's probably used to receiving calls like this.

"I-I don't know," I mutter, glancing around, "Some bridge on the outskirts of town. I think in the east direction, I'm not sure."

"Okay sir, I am sending a team of paramedics to your location," she assures, "Remain where you are."

I can't reply, only end the call soundlessly as I decide I need to do something more. I crawl closer to Kelsey, placing the phone down, I grip her nose closed and open her mouth. I breath deeply, before leaning over and placing my mouth against her cold lips. I release my breath into her, making her chest rise. I repeat this action a second time, before kneeling up and doing four measured compressions on her chest.

I keep doing this until some water trickles out the side of her mouth. I nearly laugh with relief, but don't waste another second and press my fingers to her neck. A faint fluttering responds and I feel like crying as I feel it. It's weak, but better than nothing, though she remains unconscious and unresponsive.

I clutch her to my chest as sirens blare in the distance, holding her tightly in a protective embrace. I'm shivering as the ambulance pulls up, my whole body quaking.

"Sir! Are you alright?" a woman asks, shining a flashlight in my eyes.

I barely manage to nod as I release my hold on Kelsey, allowing the woman's partner to check on her. I watch as she is lifted and placed on the gurney and then rolled into the idling ambulance. A blanket is placed around my shoulders and I'm pulled to my feet, then guided to the ambulance.

"May I ask what happened?" the female paramedic says in a gentle, maternal voice. She must be a mother.

"She jumped," I flinch, clutching the coarse blanket tighter, "I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. I jumped in after her, but when I eventually pulled us onto the bridge, she wasn't breathing. Then I dialled 911. I knew you guys wouldn't be here in time, so I did CPR on her until I felt a pulse."

I lean against the wall of the ambulance and close my eyes, utterly exhausted. I hear the back doors close and then one up front do the same, before the ambulance starts to move.

"Have you ever performed CPR before?" I hear the lady ask, curiosity evident in her voice.

"No Ma'am," I answer honestly, my eyes still closed.

"You are a smart young man," she praises, squeezing my shoulder.

"I like to watch TV," I shrug, feeling sleep tug at my consciousness.

I don't hear her reply as I let myself succumb to my exhaustion, too tired to stay awake any longer. At least Kelsey has a pulse and is no longer traveling to the land of the dead.

~•~•~

Sorry if this Chapter is crap... I've been sick with fever, but I just had to write. For my lovely readers of course.

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LilMissImperfection xoxo