Recruits (Keeper of the Water Book 2) (45 page)

“Mom, wake up,” I say when I reach her. I help her sit against the side of the boat and she lets out the smallest of cries. Her eyes slowly open, though she obviously has trouble focusing. “I need you to hold on just a little longer; I’m going to get you help, I promise.”

Mom nods. I don’t want to leave her side but Amelia continues trying to paddle and it’s not long before the effort is too much for her, too. I barely have my mom situated when Amelia convulses and falls over. I’m running out of time before I lose them both. I don’t have time to help so I rush to keep paddling, nearly slipping on the blood pooling on the boat’s floor. We still barely move but I push myself harder and harder, even as my vision begins to grow black and the arrow loosens in my shoulder, shooting out spurts of blood.

I’m so weak that I nearly fall over the side. With my mother and Amelia barely clinging to consciousness – while Jack groans
and
laughs – it’s becoming harder for me to keep pushing, to keep forcing myself to fight for survival. I try to stay motivated by thinking about Cassie and revenge and rescuing the world from what she could do with control over the special water. But those thoughts are difficult to hold onto and quickly fade from my mind. It’s hard enough to focus on anything beyond the section of swamp water that I still try to paddle through…

I don’t see sudden movement in the water until it’s too late. In the split second before my arm is grabbed, I imagine the suffering of being eaten alive by a killer gator. That’s why I’m surprised when I realize that fingers –
human
fingers – have hold of me instead of alligator teeth.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First I would like to apologize to any history buffs out there who may have spotted inaccuracies with the historical characters in this novel. I have tried to weave certain facts into my story but I also had to take plenty of liberties to suit my plot and characters; I’m sure you can forgive me for the sake of the story.

I would also like to thank the many fans who’ve made writing this second book in my Keeper of the Water trilogy so enriching for me. I had a few other books I planned to write between the first and second installments but the overwhelming response I got in sales convinced me to write this one next. I hope everyone enjoys.

MY PLEA TO READERS – As an independent author, it is difficult to convince readers to try my books; for that, I thank you. But to help spread the word, please leave me feedback on the web-site where you purchased this book. I’ve found that reviews are the most important determination in whether many readers will try a new author.

U.S. version
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VUYO3C

U.K. version
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006VUYO3C

Thanks for your support!

-
Kevin

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OTHER WORKS BY THE AUTHOR

KEEPER OF THE WATER series

DRINKING LIFE – BOOK ONE

RECRUITS – BOOK TWO

THE WATER QUEENS – BOOK THREE

CRYO-MAN series

BOOK ONE – CRYO-MAN

BOOK TWO – ROBOTROPOLIS

BOOK THREE coming soon…

LIFE, INC. – If you could learn the exact moment of your death, would you? If you could see a deceased one for one last day – at the cost of one year of your life – would you? These are the answers Life, Inc. wants to know…

THE COMET CLEMENT SERIES

1)
THE INNER CIRCLE

2)
INTERCEPTION

3)
THE NEW SPACE RACE

4)
THE THREE ARKS

5)
EVACUATION EARTH

6)
FINAL DAYS

7)
IMPACT

8)
UNINVITED

9)
TAKEOVER

10)
MISSION: SURVIVAL

11)
RELOCATION