Ok, the first part is in between the end of chapter 8 and the start of chapter 9. When it goes back to 7's POV, it's set after chapter 9. Enjoy!

There is no such thing as a miracle by coincidence. Both 1 and 2 had stood firmly by that, although their execution of the phrase was different. However, they both thought it true, and taught their beliefs to the younger ones. 2 could recall telling 5 that he could create his own miracles by working hard and never giving up. 8 remembered 1 telling him once that life is a miracle, but it was done on purpose, brought to being by somebody more powerful. Somehow, the phrase had kept its meaning through different ways of life, and it was silently appreciated.

It would be nice if we had a miracle. Maybe then 5 and 9 would appear; even it was just in our dreams. Wouldn't it be nice, 4?

Of course it would. Sadly, in a world so decimated as ours, I fear that the word miracle doesn't apply to anything anymore. A miracle here would be if the world was reborn, if everything came back to life from their shallow graves. That is why we cannot forget.

3 pondered her twin's opinion. Since 5 and 9's death, 4 had become more philosophical. She had truly reached her expectation- to teach the world.

You're doing a damn good job at philosophy, sister.

Then again, there is always what 1 and 2 always said, 3. There is no such thing as a miracle by coincidence. For example, if 5 and 9 happened to be alive-

Not a very good example, but go on.

Hm. I know it isn't. Anyway, if 5 and 9 happened to be alive, then it would be because their souls fought for the right to live- somehow they willed themselves to survive, and maybe 5 would have fixed them both and they would have moved on.

That would be so cool if that actually happened, don't you think?

Indeed.

4 sighed. She thought of 7, all tucked up in her bed in the floor above them. The rain had slowed down to heavy drizzle outside- calm enough to be outside in. It was getting a bit late- the watch that 2 had fixed for them read 8:50 PM. Most of the dolls went to sleep when it went dark- except perhaps the exception of 2, who stayed up with his projects, often falling asleep at his workbench, grease puddling around his face... The younger twin giggled silently at the recollection- the mischievous face that 5 gave them before showing them the humorous sight.

What are you thinking about?

2 with his head in a puddle of grease. Remember when 5 woke us up just to show us that? He was such a good brother to us...

He sure was, 4. He sure was. What about when he dropped that record and it went rolling down the hill! He looked rather comical that day.

He was so sweet, giving 6 that shoulder ride. Poor 6, he hadn't seen the sun for a while.

!!!

4 stiffened at the single blink of her twin's eyes- a silent note of surprise. She had heard something- 4 knew this because of the way 3 pricked up, straining to hear words being spoken. 4 heard it too- she could hear 2 downstairs.

What's got 2 so worked up?

He can't believe something... whatever it is, it's very smashing! 3 replied, implying a little parody of 2. 4 giggled again before 3 stood up suddenly.

There's another voice...!!!

What?! What is it?

You're not going to believe this... but I can hear-!!! Oh my- come on, 4! Quickly!!!

Wait! Wait for me!!! 4 blinked furiously, jumping to her feet and following 3 down the stairs. As she followed her twin down various corridors and winding trails through the cathedral, she could hear the other voice, too. The only difference was that 2 sounded rather serious. 3 stopped dead outside the door of the workshop, frozen like a statue. 4 hid behind her twin, her head peeking over her twin's shoulder. Her mouth dropped open in shock.

"We couldn't really do much about the spring, but I- oh, hello!"

A miracle.

***

7 finally decided to wake up when 6 stumbled into her room, stuttering with excitement to a point that he wasn't even speaking coherently. She sat bolt upright, ready to shout verbal abuse.

"What is it?!"

"S-s-seve-7!! I-i-it's a-a wonder!!! They're b-b-back! Back! They're back!"

"What?"

"They're back!"

"What do you mean, they're back? Nobody went anywhere!" 7 pointed out, rather irritable by this point. She got out of bed right as 6 did a little happy dance right where he was standing.

"You g-got to c-come s-see! C-come see!!! The healer and the saviour, they're here!" 6 cried; yanking 7 out of her room before she could protest. Voices and words registered on her hearing sensors as they got closer to the throne room. Suddenly, 6 let go, dashing into the throne room. The curtain which acted as a door fell back down as he dashed through, and she only got a glimpse of everyone else clustered into a ring, though something was wrong with it. There seemed to be more than she recalled. The din on the other side of the curtain died almost as soon as 6 shouted 'She's here now!' She took a deep breath, trying not to let her mind jump to possibilities. Maybe they were having a surprise party to make her feel better- a weird reason to have a party, but it seemed logical. After about 10 seconds of wondering whether or not to go in, 3 ducked out from behind the curtain.

"It's not a party for me, is it?" she asked, letting impulse voice the first thing that came to her head. 3 shook her head, leaving 7 more confused than ever. Gently, 3 took her hand; her other hand pushing the curtain away and bringing 7 in from behind her. Everyone in the room seemed to be smiling back at her- 1 and 8 standing behind everyone else, smiling with their eyes and a slight pulling of the lips, 4 standing next to the guard with the happiest expression she had ever worn, 6 dancing around and motioning for 3 to join him (who obliged with gusto), 2 laughing joyfully as 9 nearly tripped over 5's leg-

As 9 nearly tripped over 5's leg.