Pilot: Book One of the Channel Riders

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o the cool morning air. Bad dreams chased her through the night and left her with

the clamoring of customers was silent. Briefly she toyed with the idea of rolling over and trying for a few more ho

Elena would have to break down and turn on the heat, watching her electric bill soar higher as the temperatures crept lower. She rubbed her goose bumps, slid out of bed and began gath

ngth black hair bounce in time to the beat. She absently ran a hand through her hair, still surprised by how short it was. For most of her life she had wor

d have at least had the benefit of a wild time the night before to go with it.' Somehow she didn't think a night balancing her business receipts counted. As Elena stepped into the spray, f

pply. She decided to save washing her hair for later and reached down to turn the water off. The hot water failed as her hand re

ine would dull the pounding. She opened the freezer only to find that all but th

ee shop around the corner opened at 9 am on Sundays. Visions of vats of freshly brewed coffee swam through her aching head. She could also buy a new bag so Monday morning would not see

his or her first cup of coffee. She took a deep breath of the cool air. Fall winds were definitely getting some bite to them. Bare black trees stretched cold fingers to the sky

nd into the shop. With the exception of the sleepy eyed clerk, the shop wa

lp you, "

d indicating the bag. "An

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n or Fren

wondered if

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hank

m like a football while the cold fingers of her right hand gripped the steaming cup. At the door she paused to pry the lid off he

han take delicate sips. She walked slowly, trying not to spill and hoping the cool air would steal some warmth from

open on this street at the moment. They had a similarity of appearance that marked them as coming from the nearby military base.

ped she started to turn towards the sound. She felt a sharp pain in her neck and before she could raise a hand to the sting, Elena felt her knees crumble. Strong hands cau