Ali6132: I know you despise Heahter yeah, so sorry for this! I just write like I'm watching something happen (like the characters choose what to do themselves), so it's not always what I want myself either. T.T Well since I did put in the story description that there is a Sammy x Noah pairing this won't be the end of course. But it wouldn't be fun if things just went right all the time! ;) Glad you like my long answers! I don't know if I could actually make them shorter, because I just want to reply on everything! :D Glad I'm one of your favorite authors! That's really nice to hear and makes me really happy! (especially since I've seen you commenting on a lot of other good Total Drama stories to that I read, it seems we kinda have the same taste in stories ;) And thanks for the long review! Just like you I like it when someone takes the time to write something and I'll do it right back! ;)

GeM216: I already loved the beginning of your review! I never imagined this chapter having this much of an impact! xD I did have fun during my trip, it was really nice and I've seen lot's of cool stuff! And yeah before I updated like 3 times a week, so a week pause seems very long then. I thought a lot about the story in England though and couldn't wait to write again! (You're welcome for the explanation! It can be pretty confusing since not everyone uses it the same way!) Yeah Noah sort of did, he just didn't have enough time to think it through. :( Also Samey kept skipping out when they were having a good time, that plus all the threats/warnings made him unsure if hanging out with Samey would be positive in the long run. Still he shouldn't have done it, he'll realize that soon enough! ;) And thanks for the LONG review! I like that! :D

I don't have much to say this time. Just that what happened at the end of the last chapter was officially (in my head) supposed to happen later. But since I write in a pretty impulsive way and Heather decided to jump in.. it happened sooner. This will also mean that the story will progress a bit faster, so yey! :D I'll catch up with Noah/Samey fluff later, I promise. First Noah needs to be prepared for what's coming though, and who better to do that than a mysterious candle maker?

Yes, no one, my thoughts exactly.

And just a heads up: This chapter is a bit on the short side.


Theodore dragged Noah inside -now their- house.

'Seriously,' Noah complained when Theodore almost pushed him on a chair near the fireplace. 'This wasn't necessary.'

The man just sighed as an answer and made some tea for him and Noah. It didn't take long and once he had served it he took a seat across from the boy.

Noah didn't say a word in the meantime. He just stared at the fireplace, remembering how Samey had looked when he told her that she was just like Amy. When he told her that he didn't rust her, that they weren't friends...

He grabbed his head with his hands and went through his hair. He was confused, so confused. He had never felt like this before, everything used to be logical. Even the whole affair he had experienced with a player from his Underground Alliance called Cinderhella243 hadn't give him this much stress.

'Do you even know what you're doing kid?' Theodore asked him.

It was like only now Noah remembered that the man had dragged him down here. He didn't want to show this much weakness in front of a total stranger so he tried to compose himself a bit.. it didn't work out. 'Of course I know.' Noah tried to laugh it off.

'Please don't lie.' These words went right through Noah, what was obviously the reason of Theodore saying it. 'Those are the same words that girl used, Samey was it?'

'What do you want?' Noah sighed heavily, letting go of his already useless facade he had tried to build up.

'I want you to figure out what the hell your doing.'

His strict tone shocked Noah. 'I said that I already knew that.'

As an answer Theodore shook his head. 'Okay, then tell me exactly what you did. And don't try to lie, since you're horrible at that in this state you're in.'

Noah grunted a bit, but he did comply. If he was honest he'd have to admit that he would like talking to someone about this. Someone who wasn't part of the game and who had a clear view of things. 'I played right into the hands of Heather, and possibly also Scarlett. I realize that now. I didn't know what I was doing.' Noah put his hands up in the air. 'Are you happy now? I admit it! I behaved like an idiot and I've pushed away the one person that.. The one person..' Noah had to stop himself from getting to emotional here. That frustrated him, he never had to do that. 'Ugh. Why is it getting this complicated when the real mystery hasn't even started yet? It's like the universe hates me.'

'I think it's the contrary actually.' The man answered to Noah's surprise. 'Don't think that something is unfixable just because it seems grim at the moment. This'll turn out okay as long as you do something with the knowledge you've now gained. And then I mean knowledge of and emotional and tactical level.'

'That sounds way to positive.' Noah laughed halfheartedly. 'That's not usually my thinking pattern.'

'Maybe that's something you have to learn. Optimistic thinking doesn't have to be unrealistic. Just go over the whole night again and tell me what you've learned from this experience and what of it you can use for tactical advantages.'

'I really don't feel like going over it again.' Noah's head hurt from all the drama. (ironically he only experienced that now when he wasn't in a Total Drama show)

As a reaction Theodore just arched his eyebrow, urging Noah to talk about it anyway and to stop nagging.

'Okay, sure.' Noah sighed and went over what happened again. 'I talked with Scarlett, and she confirmed that she was in an alliance with Alejandro, and possibly with others, since she referred to the alliance as "they".' Theodore nodded approvingly at this. 'And they all seem eager to use me, as an information source mostly. Also they don't like me making alliances with others, Samey in particular. Amy is surely involved in that, but I don't know exactly how yet..' Noah put his finger to his chin and thought about the matter. Analyzing the evening actually made it all way more clear and helped him, just like the candle maker had told him. 'Scarlett is also in a alliance with Heather, that's how she knew that my information source wasn't worth much! Heather was the only one who could have told her! Of course! Maybe that means the whole distance thing between Heather and Alejandro is just an act too! That would mean that Heather, Amy, Scarlett and Alejandro would be in this all together.'

Theodore laughed. 'You seem to have it all back together! That's right, don't let feelings guide you, focus on what you've learned. I really don't know what you're all talking about though, I really have to learn the names of those newcomers.'

'The information isn't of much use to you anyway.' Noah said waving away his words.

'Hey, I want you to be the one who solves the mystery. And no information is useless, never forget that. There is much to gain by just knowing things in general.'

'That's why you know everything about everyone in this town like some creepy stalker?'

'You catch on quick.' Theodore laughed again. 'You chose the right information source by going to Richard today, he almost knows as much as me.'

'I had too, you won't tell me anything. You just ask me questions.'

'And you want to say that isn't helpful?'

'In this case it was of use.' Noah admitted. 'But it won't help me in solving the mystery.'

'We'll see.' Theodore smiled mysteriously. 'But to get back to the matter of your fight with the girl Samey.'

Only hearing her name and the mention of their fight made Noah all down again. He had forgotten about her for a minute, but now he just felt guilty again. 'I don't know what to do about that. I don't know if it's smart to hang out with her again.' Noah sighed tiredly and rested his head on the table while he let his thoughts flutter through his head. Hanging out with Samey had been fun, way too fun to be honest. He had never expected them to be so much alike, and at the same time be miles apart from each other. Every time he thought of her, pictured her, he felt happy. Well, he used too anyway. Now the happiness turned into regret and sadness. 'It's confusing.'

'Why is it confusing?' Theodore asked like he was some kind of shrink. Noah was way too tired to argue about it this time though. He didn't care if he was some test subject to the man, he just wanted answers.

'Because I like hanging out with her, but it doesn't seem wise.' Noah said to the table. He didn't feel like looking up. 'We turn out to be very much alike, but at the same time miles apart. It's fun to be with her, and I have a strong urge to help her overcome her fear of standing up to her sister.'

'Why isn't that wise?'

'Because I seem to be the focus of all the dangerous players here. Heather, Scarlett, Amy and I'm pretty sure Alejandro too isn't happy with me hanging out with her. So if I continue doing it I'll just get into a lot of trouble, and she will too. I need to stay focused on the game, and trouble isn't what I want.'

'So that's your decision? Stay away from Samey and focus on the game?'

Noah looked up, that sounded way to definitive. He didn't like that. 'I guess it is.'

'That doesn't seem like it's true at all.' Theodore sighed. 'You really are blind to your feelings kid. Not that I'm such an expert at it, so I won't even try to tell you how you should handle them. But think about this, having Samey-'

'Sammy, please call her Sammy.' Noah interrupted. He kept calling Sammy Samey to teach her a lesson, but it just didn't feel right when others did it.

'-Okay.. Having Sammy,' Theodore emphasized the name. 'as an ally could be really useful too. The reason you didn't consider that though is because you think you won't be able to face the ones that threatened you.'

'I'm not scared of them. I just..' Noah could do it, he couldn't deny that he hadn't considered having Samey as an ally. Was this the reason for it though? He wasn't sure.

'I didn't say that. And you're more than able to protect yourself, when it's with words at least. I mean just look at you.' Theodore gestured to Noah. 'You're a scrimp, anyone with only a bit of physical power could walk over you anytime. And that's what you're scared of. You don't want people to realize or use that. And when Samey is involved you're not the only one you have to take care of anymore, so words won't be enough and you will have to share information to get both of you out of trouble. And that won't make you win this game.'

'If what you say is true,' It kinda was, but Noah really didn't feel like admitting it. 'Then I made the right choice by taking my distance from her.'

'No that's not true. There is another way in which this all could be solved. You don't consider change at all, probably because you're pretty pessimistic.'

'I'd call it realistic.'

'Not the point.' Theodore sighed. 'I just mean that you have to become stronger, and I can help you with that.'

'I'm sorry but I don't do physical, I'd like to focus on my mental condition instead.'

'Well from now on, you'll do both.' Theodore stood up. His decision was final and Noah already regretted even getting in touch with this man. The candle maker just had so much authority and ironically was physically so much stronger that Noah knew that denying would give him much more trouble than accepting Theodore's offer to help.

'I guess you will kick me out if I don't cooperate?'

'And above that make sure that nobody else will take you in either. So choose: live on the streets or allow me to help you get stronger.'

'I'd guess I'd have to be an idiot to choose the first option here.' Noah sighed. 'Just don't make it too hard, this isn't a training for me, it's just a game.'

'I can't promise that, and think about it like this: Getting you physical state up will not only help you now but also in the future. For now I'd suggest you take a rest kid, you'll be using it tomorrow.'

Noah sighed. 'I wish I could quit already.'


Sorry, again a chapter that only includes Noah talking to Theodore. It's just that these things are necessary for character development. Also: Noah training to get stronger? Yes it will happen! I will ease your minds though, I won't turn Noah into a body builder of some sort! xD The idea makes me cringe already! No it's just to get his condition up a bit. He'll need to if he wants to survive this. (you know how I warned for character deaths in the synopsis? Yeah, almost me neither) Training will also improve his chances of being able to protect Sammy! Which means he can get to hang around with her again with not having to worry as much about Scarlett's threats! (that poor excuse will be gone! )

... Yeah I know this might seem a bit anti-feministic, but don't worry, the time will come when Sammy shows who's boss! :D