Till Noon

Chapter One- GASOLINE

"Asteria," a voice calls out from downstairs, and the girl quickly runs to the top of the stairs.

"Yeah?" she yells back, her father emerging at the bottom.

"I need you to pick up the rations today," he says, holding up the card with three barcodes. She sighs, running down the stairs and taking the card from him. She slides it into her back pocket and he tosses her the keys to the truck outside as she walk to the door.

Asteria grabs a rag and wraps it over her mouth and nose, tying it tight and adjusting it under her bright eyes. She takes a deep breath, preparing herself for the heat, and steps outside.

The heat hits her bare, freckled face immediately, the absence of smoke leaving her no cover from the harsh sun. The high temperature leaves a mirage on the concrete, a wave of mirrored land floating where there should be none. Ashes fly in front of her eyes and she suddenly wishes she would've cared enough to grab her sunglasses.

She runs to truck and unlocks it, hopping in and shutting the door hard. It shakes the old, rusty truck, the chassis swaying slightly from the harsh impact. She pulls the rag down to her neck and starts the engine, pulling out from the driveway and driving down the ashened street.

Halfway down the road, a familiar figure makes her stop the truck. She pulls to the side of the road, unlocking the passenger door as the person climbs in.

"You don't know how much ash you just saved me from inhaling," the boy with dark brown hair says, smiling at Asteria and wiping ash off his sweaty forehead.

"Helios, where the hell is your cover?" she snaps.

"I might have forgotten it," he laughs with a shrug and she grits her teeth. She takes off her rag and tears it in half, handing the larger part to Helios. He takes it and places it on his lap, right next to his family's ration card that has two barcodes on it.

Helios coughs deeply and Asteria frowns, glancing at him. "Cough still hasn't gone away?" she asks and he shakes his head, leaning back.

"I'll be fine," he reassures her. "Happens every now and then."

She shakes her head and her eyes catch the tiny red dot at the bottom of the gas meter, making her mutter a few words under her breath. Helios leans over and frowns with her when he sees the empty gas light, leaning back after a couple of seconds.

Asteria turns right into the parking lot, only a few cars taking some spaces near the front. She pulls into a vacant spot in front of a sign that reads "SECTOR 18NC RATIONING" in bright red letters, the sight a sore spot on the brick building.

She pulls the rag over her face, Helios doing the same, and they exit the truck. Gripping his card, Helios runs to the door and holds it open for Asteria. She races inside and takes a deep breath, lowering the rag off her face again with Helios by her side.

Across the large room is a counter, two people in line. Asteria takes another breath and walks to the line, Helios standing next to her as he turns the card over again and again in his hands. Asteria reaches into her back pocket and grabs the ration card, gripping it.

Helios coughs again, quickly covering his mouth. Asteria looks over at him with a frown of disapproval and he shakes his head. "I'm okay," he says and she frowns more.

"It's been three weeks, Helios," she says quietly and he looks at his card.

"I'm fine," he says in a stronger tone, smiling at her. She purses her lips and steps up the the counter, the line now cleared out.

"Card," the man says in a monotone voice. Asteria slides him the card and he scans all three barcodes, handing her the card back. "Pick up is around the corner," he says and she nods, already familiar with the boring routine.

She turns to the left and walks to a small window, a lady sitting with a magazine in hand. When she hears Asteria approach, the magazine gets set down and she stands, turning to the large computer screen to her right.

"Ralph, Kathryn, Asteria Harris?" she asks in a raspy voice and she nods. "Card." She slides her the card and she scans the barcodes, passing it back. "Just a second, sweets."

The lady walks away and Helios walks up, leaning against the wall next to the window. He gives her a cheesy smile and she can't help but laugh out loud, rolling her eyes at him.

The lady returns with a large crate. She slides it through the small door under the window and Asteria opens it up. She looks around the rations, noticing the water and correct number of portions for the week. But when she notices the gas card missing, she stands up.

"Where's my fuel card?" she asks and the lady turns to her.

"Pardon?" she asks.

"My fuel card," she repeats sternly. "We really need it."

"There's been an extreme shortage of fuel lately," the lady says with a shrug.

"No, that's not fair-" Asteria argues, but Helios steps up.

"It's okay, we'll figure this out," he whispers to Asteria. "I have my gas card."

Asteria looks up at him. "I am not taking your card," she snaps and he clenches his jaw, giving her a hard look. His eyes go hard and she blinks, her face softening at his harsh expression. She nods slowly and he stands up straighter, nodding to the lady.

Asteria picks up the large crate and Helios grabs his, both sliding the rags over their faces as they run to the truck. They climb in and set the crates on the back seats, an aggravated silence separating them. Asteria bites her lip and starts the truck, Helios watching her closely.

As she goes to put the car into drive, he reaches over and places his hand on hers. She stops, her eyes glued on the steering wheel. After a long moment, she finally looks to Helios.

"I'm sorry," she whispers and he shakes his head.

"Don't be," he says. "Just trust me." She nods and keeps her eyes locked on his.

She frowns, studying his face. "You're sweating," she says lowly.

"Yeah, we all are," Helios says with a laugh, dropping his hand.

"Yes, but we were barely outside," she argues. She reaches over, placing the back of her hand to his forehead. It's warm to the touch. "You're running a fever, Helios."

He drops his smile and takes a deep breath. "Asteria, it's a hundred degrees outside," he says sternly. "We all are." She shakes her head and sighs, leaning back.

"Don't you dare get sick on me now," she mutters and he laughs again.

"I would never dream of such a thing."