After Impact: After Impact Trilogy, Book 1 by Nicole Stark Page A

said, with a roll of her eyes.
    “You have beautiful eyes,” Ilium said.
    Avalon was thrown off guard but managed to stammer, “Thanks.” The atmosphere in the small storage room changed. So Avalon decided to talk some more to break the awkwardness.
    “I suspect the guards killed her. They could have done it to get rid of a perceived troublemaker. Or maybe the President.”
    “But why?” Ilium asked, moving closer to her.
    “I don’t know,” Avalon conceded. “But I figured out what those weird markings were. A code. It spelled H E L P M E.”
    “That doesn’t sound good,” Ilium said with a grim expression as he sat down on top of one of the metal boxes and rested his chin against his folded arm.
    “All of this is too much of a coincidence. The lower class Compatios are made weak with hard work and fewer rations, so obviously they can’t rise up against the higher ups like the Accipios or the Council,” Avalon said, as she folded her arms over her chest.
    “And the rest of us are kept ignorant of what is going on outside the HOPE habitat. The President tells us that all of the drones we were supposed to send out for expeditions were somehow wiped out due to the high altitude electromagnetic pulse. Even though they were supposed to be specially shielded against such.”
    The room fell silent as both Avalon and Ilium contemplated what Ilium just uttered. The words reverberated in her skull, and concentrated in her bones.
    Avalon hesitated a moment. How much can I trust Ilium? They had been through a lot together. He really was the only one she had associated with much after hours. “My father left me a necklace that plays holographic messages. But he only left one message which erased after playing.”
    Ilium listened.
    “The message said not to trust anyone.”
    “Sounds like he suspected something even back then,” Ilium said.
    “Do you know why he would say that?” Avalon asked.
    “No,” Ilium said genuinely. “But we can find out.”
    “You mean you are willing to help me?” Avalon said, eyes wide.
    “Of course,” Ilium answered.
    A smile formed on Avalon’s face.
    “Ok. First, I will see what I can do with my access to some of the computer systems,” Avalon said.
    “Sounds like a plan,” Ilium answered.
    Ilium leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. Avalon’s back stiffened , unsure of how to react to this gesture. However, after everything they had gone through together, Avalon nuzzled her head into his shoulder and returned his hug. Avalon’s pulse quickened and her body warmed up as she inhaled the scent of his hair and of his skin, which were so fresh, in contrast to their stale air surroundings. He mussed her long hair between his fingers. When they released each other, they both had a rosy glow.
    “Ok, let me see what I can do,” she smiled as she left the storage room.
     
    The next morning, loud protestations from Avalon’s stomach woke her up before the wallscreen did. She quickly swung her legs out of her bed pod and began to get ready for the day ahead. However, as she got dressed, she paused in front of the mirror for a minute. Her cheeks were more hollow, her features sharper and more defined.
    After getting dressed, she ran to the cafeteria and passed Ilium in the hallway. As he waved, her stomach fluttered.
    That’s odd. No. No. No. This can’t be happening. Not here. I don’t have time for anything more than friendship in this place. I have already lost so much.
    Avalon grabbed a protein bar for herself and some cups of coffee for the team.
    “Thanks!” everyone said, except Skylar who politely declined as she did not drink coffee.
    While in the process of working, Avalon’s mind continued to think about Ilium. How he was the first face she saw when she woke up. How soothing his voice was, and how he smelled like lemons.
    But at times, when he thought no one was looking, she could see a sadness behind his blue eyes.
    Once the shift ended, Avalon stayed