Currents: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

CURRENTS
AN EVERYDAY HEROS WORLD NOVEL


A.C. WILDS


CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
KB Worlds
Also by A.C. Wilds
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Books by K. Bromberg


This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
© 2020 KB WORLDS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
Published by KB Worlds LLC.
Cover Design by: Pretty Little Designs Co.
Editing by: Monique The Editrix
Formatting by: A.C. Wilds
Published in the United States of America


INTRODUCTION
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Everyday Heroes World!
I’m so excited you’ve picked up this book! Currents is a book based on the world I created in my USA Today bestselling Everyday Heroes Series. While I may be finished writing this series (for now), various authors have signed on to keep them going. They will be bringing you all-new stories in the world you know while allowing you to revisit the characters you love.
This book is entirely the work of the author who wrote it. While I allowed them to use the world I created and may have assisted in some of the plotting, I took no part in the writing or editing of the story. All praise can be directed their way.
I truly hope you enjoy Currents. If you’re interested in finding more authors who have written in the KB Worlds, you can visit www.kbworlds.com.
Thank you for supporting the writers in this project and me.
Happy Reading,
K. Bromberg


For all those who’ve lost their person.


CHAPTER ONE
CARSON
I’ve thought about it. Ending my existence. My soul is broken and shredded, unable to heal. The pressure inside of me is ready to explode at a moment’s notice.
I dig the toes of my shoes further into the sand, reminding myself that I haven’t given in. That all the pain inside of me lives another day, fraying my resolve.
I’m drowning in the sorrow, and I don’t know how to pull myself out. My life and everything I’ve ever known are gone. All gone.
The cold from a wave brushes away the gritty sand and replaces it with a silky-smooth mask, something I want to sink into.
Laughter floats on the Californian breeze, drawing my attention to a family settled down the beach. Two small children dig in the sand, their shovels throwing the powdery substance up in the air. A woman waves to them from the water’s edge before she dives in. Her perfect form caresses the surface of the water before her head submerges.
I watch them revel in their perfect day, not a care in the world. Their happiness radiates to me, but all I feel is a hollowness at knowing I’ll never have that type of joy again.
The sun heats my face as I tilt my head to the sky. Eyes closed against the harshness of the sun’s rays, I contemplate my next steps. I have to find a job and somewhere to live. I’ve never been on my own before.
It scares me.
“Momma! Momma!” a small voice screams, causing me to snap my eyes open and turn in its direction.
“Carla! Oh my god. Fuck, Marley where’s my phone?” The man’s voice is frantic.
My gaze returns to the water, and I see the woman struggling. A riptide pulled her out, and she can’t hold her head above the water.
My response is automatic. I kick my shoes off while unbuttoning my shirt. Pants, phone, and cash crash to the sand with a thud.
Running for the water in nothing but my underwear, I dive into the cold water. The iciness hits my skin, waking me up all over again. I break the surface for air and see her about twenty feet out, hands outstretched to the sky, trying to grab for something to hold on to, but there’s nothing.
I dive again, using my powerful body to propel myself through the azure waters. Legs that have trained for this my whole life stretch with the comfortable movement.
I reach her in seconds; the tide pulls me along to her. I roll with it, not panicking, keeping my body light.
She sees me and reaches out, her face overtaken with fear. Grabbing her by the side, I kick us in a horizontal motion, trying to roll us out of the tide.
She begins to pound on my arm to let her go, but I can’t. She won’t make it out if she doesn’t follow me. The need to breathe outweighs rational thought, and she digs her nails into my arm, making me wince. I kick harder, but with the extra weight, I’m not as fast.
She bucks as she tries to get air, and I almost lose her to the current. I tighten my hold and push us a little farther. One last thrust, and we break the surface. The woman gasps for air, clinging to me, eyes wide with shock.
We’re out of the riptide, bobbing gently in the water. Her eyes widen even more as she begins to choke. “Let’s get you to shore,” I say, pulling her to me once more. She doesn’t resist this time, and finally we crash into the sand on our knees.
The moment we hit land, she begins to cough up the water she swallowed. I lean her to the side and hold her as we wait for help to arrive.
“Carla! Carla!” The husband’s voice draws nearer before he collapses at her other side, pulling her to his chest.
I release her and sit back on my calves.
The adrenaline seeps out of my body, leaving