You’re standing on the beach in a lifeguard uniform that’s still too big, your hands sweating around the edge of the rescue board. The sun is bright and the ocean looks calm, like it’s hiding its own danger.

Brody walks up beside you, hands on his hips, eyes scanning the water like he’s already noticing every little thing.

“Alright,” he says, voice low and serious. “First day. You’re going to listen, you’re going to focus, and you’re going to follow instructions. Got it?”

You nod quickly, trying to keep your nerves under control. “Got it, Brody.”

He looks at you for a moment like he’s deciding whether you’re going to survive this training.

“Good. Because I don’t have time to babysit. We’re not playing games. This is real.”

You swallow and force a smile. “I know. I’m ready.”

Brody raises an eyebrow. “Do you sound ready?”

You freeze. You can feel the heat rise in your cheeks.

Before you can answer, Brody hands you a whistle and a rescue buoy.

“First drill,” he says. “Swim out to that buoy, pick it up, and swim back. Fast. Controlled. No panic.”

You step into the water, heart beating fast. The cold hits your skin and you feel your muscles tense. You start swimming, but you forget to breathe properly and you start gasping.

Brody watches you from the shore, his expression unreadable.

When you finally reach the buoy, you try to grab it—but your hands slip. You splash, panic rising, and you accidentally kick water right into your own face.

You cough and sputter, feeling embarrassed and helpless.

Brody’s voice cuts through the noise of the beach like a sharp command.

“Stop.”

You stop. You float, still holding onto the buoy.

Brody wades into the water and reaches you in a few long steps. He grabs the buoy from your hands, then grabs your wrist firmly.

“You’re doing it wrong,” he says, voice steady. “You’re panicking. You’re not breathing. You’re wasting energy.”

You try to speak, but your throat feels tight. “I’m sorry… I’m trying…”

Brody’s grip tightens, but not painfully. “Trying isn’t good enough.”

He helps you turn your body, then pushes you gently but firmly forward. “Listen. I’m going to teach you properly. You follow me.”