Author's Note: Ahh I feel like it's taken forever to get to this chapter! Hope y'all like it, it was really fun to write!
{Viola}
"I swear to God once I'm out of these ropes I am going to KILL YOU." I screech, my voice cracking, throat burning. I've been yelling for hours now, screaming to be let go, ever since I'd woken up. It's caused serious damage to my vocal cords, but I don't care, not one bit. Putting myself through that kind of pain is worth the frightened look that passes over Laura's face.
But she's only afraid of my words for a moment, as I am sitting on the floor, arms and legs tied, and can't actually hurt her. She grins before casually leaning against the wall, crossing her feet in front of her.
"I don't know what Todd sees in you." She starts. "You're way too stubborn and have a terrible attitude."
I narrow my eyes at her. "Well, that was just a preview. You haven't seen how angry I can really get. But don't worry, you will. And it's not going to be pretty." I say, my voice hoarse, raspy, but completely serious.
"I'm not afraid of you." Laura says, pushing off the wall and walking towards me. She squats down and leans forward, face only inches away from mine. "They all talked about you like you were some kind of legend. A female hero who was unstoppable. But I've defeated you twice now. You're no threat at all. You're just pathetic."
Her words get a rise out of me and I jerk myself forward, a desperate attempt to strike at her. But Laura just steps back and laughs.
"Just stop, Viola. It's over." She says, turning towards the little window that's fixed into the wall. She looks left, then right, as if she's looking for someone.
"What is it that you want from me?" I say. If threatening her isn't working, maybe getting some information about her father's operation will.
"Absolutely nothing." She says, back still facing me. "You're beyond useless. I just have to keep you out of the way so my father can get the most out of Todd. But he can't do that with you being an overprotective little girlfriend."
I swallow the harsh comeback that sits on my tongue and clear my throat, continuing to ask questions that'll help, rather than hurt, in this situation.
"Well, what does your father want with Todd?" I say.
Now she turns around to face me. "Viola, don't play dumb. You're incredibly annoying but not stupid. You know what my dad wants."
"He wants Todd's Noise." I say. "But what is he doing with it? And how? Is Todd being hurt?"
Laura sighs, then leans against the wall again. "He's going to save this planet with it. Similar to what you and your council tried to do. Except my father's plan is going to actually work this time. Peace and love. Pfft, give me a break." She says, mocking the words from my initial speech.
"Fine. Don't tell me." I say, tired of searching for answers but getting nothing in return. I hang my head down and have to fight back tears, the worry for Todd building in my Noise, complemented by my frustration with him. Why did he have to run off like that? Without telling me, or anyone else? If Todd would have let me go with him, I could've been there to fight Laura. Could've been there to fight Eric.
Could have been there to save him.
I do not dare make my emotions known to Laura. She already sees me as weak and incapable. I don't want to give her any other reason for believing I wouldn't kill her, right here, right now, if it weren't for these ropes holding me down. So I fight the tears and erase Todd from my mind.
For now.
"Cheer up, Viola. At least you get to be a prisoner in this nice, heated, protected building instead of our there freezing with those aliens." She says.
"I'd rather freeze to death than be anywhere near you, or your father." I say.
Laura grins, then walks over to the door. She pulls it open, but doesn't go until she adds, "Wow, Viola. Your stubbornness is almost hilarious. I'll be back in an hour, with your dinner. Maybe."
And then she's gone, locking the door behind her.
I let out a frustrated sigh as I lean my head back onto the wall behind me. There are a million different things running through my mind right now, anger with Eric, rage with Laura, frustration with Matthew, and absolute sadness for Todd. I have no idea where he's at, or what Eric is putting him through, or if he's even alive, and now I can't help but let the tears fall, my heart breaking for the one person I care about the most. My sobs are silent but intense, and I let myself cry and cry and cry for what feels like forever, until I'm completely empty, until there is nothing left but the silence of this lonely, dark room.
And I sit there until the sun comes up, taking in the silence, my mind completely blank, until I hear something-
Someone-
Who's waking up-
Who's asking for someone-
Who's asking for me-
It's Todd.
"Todd?" I say, confused at first, wondering if I'm dreaming.
Viola? Viola? I hear it again, a little more clear this time. And then my eyes go wide and my heart nearly stops-
Because it's actually Todd-
It's his Noise-
And he hears mine-
From the other side of the wall.
"Todd!" I whisper scream. "Can you hear me?"
But no, he can't, he can only feel my Noise, feel the emotions that I'm giving off. He must be laying on the other side of this wall, which is how we can hear each other, since we're close enough. I almost want to cry, so ruddy thankful for this connection that we have now. For this connection that could bring us back to each other.
Viola, I can feel you, I can feel yer Noise. I know yer there. He tells me.
"Todd, that's great, that's so great. I can hear you, too." I say quietly, trying my best to give off feelings of joy.
Are you okay? Are you hurt? He asks, and I nod, as if he could see me.
"I'm okay." I say, showing him that I'm unharmed through my Noise.
Relief fills his Noise before responding again.
Thank goodness. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't okay. Viola, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for leavin and not tellin you about it. It was a stupid idea and I shouldn't of done it and now I don't know what to do- he rambles, but I stop him by showing that I'm not mad. Not anymore, now that he's here.
I'm just glad he's okay.
And if Todd's okay, we've still got a chance.
"It's okay, Todd. I was worried sick, but all that matters is that you're okay." I say, showing him that I miss him. That I love him.
I miss you too. He says to me. Don't worry, Viola. I'm gonna get you out of there.
"But how?" I ask, confusion showing through my Noise.
I don't know yet. But here's what I got so far. Eric thinks I'm the savior of this planet, or somethin like that. He says my Noise can end the Snowscape. I don't know how. He says he's studied it, knows what I need to do. But I don't trust it. Todd tells me.
"I don't trust it, either." I say, giving off feelings of doubt.
He said he ain't gonna hurt me. But I don't want to be around to find out if he's lyin or not. He admits.
"And you won't be. I'm going to find a way to you before Eric attempts to manipulate your Noise." I say, determination pulsing through my Noise.
Viola. I know I ain't in no place to say this right now. But you gotta let me handle it. He warns. And he's right, he isn't in any place to tell me what to do, considering we're in this mess because he wouldn't listen to me, wouldn't let me help. Irritation flows from my Noise, and Todd picks up on it right away.
I know, Viola. I'm sorry. But Eric ain't gonna hurt me. He wants my Noise, needs to fulfill his little mission. But he won't hesitate to hurt you. Todd says.
I let out a breath, knowing he's right. "I can't just sit here, Todd.
I hate that you gotta go thru this. Todd says regretfully, and I look down to the floor, a question swirling in my Noise that I just have to ask.
"Why do you insist on doing this alone, Todd? I know, you say it's to protect me, but that's not how you and I work. We do things as a team.We have to. It's the only way we know how to survive." I say, all kinds of emotions passing through the wall to him.
You mean more than the world to me, Viola. This whole ruddy world could fall to pieces if it means keepin you safe. And alive. He tells me.
"I don't want to be safe and alive if you aren't either, Todd." I say, trying to show that I cannot live without him.
I know, Viola. But I'm the one that got us in this mess. I'm the one who's got to fix it. He says.
"Todd. I am tired of you taking the blame for everything that is wrong with this world. You are the most loving most wonderful person on this planet and you've done more for us all than you should have. For that you deserve to survive, just like the rest of us." Both anger and love pulses through my Noise, causing Todd to go silent for a while.
I don't deserve you, Viola. He says, sad but lovingly.
"Yes you ruddy do." I tell him pointedly, and he smiles.
Well, I'm lucky then. Ain't too many like you, Viola, willing to stick around with someone like me. And for that, I ain't never gonna leave you.
And I smile, Noise full of love, as I say back to him. "Not never again."
Todd and I sit like that for a moment, staying connected through our Noise, after agreeing that I wouldn't do anything rash until he finds a way to me. How he's going to do that, exactly, isn't known to us at the moment, but the opportunity seems to rise when Laura comes back into my room. Todd is able to see everything that's going on through me, and without Laura knowing, since my Noise can only be seen by him. Our connection is the only thing saving us right now. Our only chance to get out of here.
"Here's your dinner." Laura says, jabbing a plate of very unappetizing food towards me.
"I'm not eating anything you bring to me." I say to her.
She forms a tight line with her lips. "As much as I'd like to poison you, or let you starve, I can't let that happen. You have to stay alive."
My stomach rumbles aggressively, but I ignore it, having gone longer without food before, and under much harsher circumstances. Instead I try to weed extra information out of what Laura just said.
"Why keep me alive? You said I was useless. Why not just kill me now and save your father the trouble?" I say.
She shrugs. "I guess I spoke too harshly. You're not entirely useless. We need you as an incentive. As long as Todd believes there's a chance for you to survive, he'll do what we say." Laura tells me.
"And what is it your telling him to do, exactly?" I ask, trying to get at least some details about their plan.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Laura says, a smug grin on her face. Then she walks up, drops the plate at my side, and I jump as it breaks against the stone floor. The food rattles off of it underneath shards of glass.
"And how do you suppose I eat that now?" I ask her, annoyed. she just shrugs.
"Hm. Guess I didn't think about that. But you'll figure it out." She says, now leaving the room.
I immediately turn my attention to Todd, who's concerned about what just happened. I show him that I'm okay, but got no useful information.
A few more hours pass. It is still daytime, as indicated by the light that pours into my cell, but the day is getting closer and closer to its end. Todd and I stay connected but I begin to lose him, sleepiness taking over my body, and I am almost out before I see someone entering Todd's room now. I jolt awake, seeing a man dressed in white robes, looking just like Aaron. It must be Eric.
Panic rises through me. Todd asks me to calm down, reassuring me that's it's okay. I try my best to believe him.
"Hello, Mr. Hewitt." Eric says, a creepy smile on his face.
What do you want. Todd says, rather than asks.
"I've come to let you know of your duties." Eric says.
I ain't doin nothin for you. He says pointedly.
"Oh, but you will. If you care about Viola's well being, that is." Eric says. Todd's Noise floods with rage.
You ain't puttin A HAND on her. I'll kill you dead if you do. Todd threatens.
Eric grins. "And I have just the person to see that you don't kill me. Son!"
And both of our Noises turn to shock-
Because stepping into Todd's room-
Is Matthew Lyle.
Todd instantly becomes outraged, nearly knocking over his chair in an attempt to strike at Matthew.
WHAT ARE YER DOING HERE? He screams, Noise full of anger, but not nearly as much as mine. It took everything in me to trust Matthew with Todd, with my Todd, and now he's betrayed him. Betrayed me.
"Hello, Todd. It's good to see you." Matthew says, hands behind his back.
Cut the bullshit! You lied to me, you lied to us all! WE TRUSTED YOU. VIOLA TRUSTED YOU. Todd screams.
Matthew looks down, then back to Todd, before responding, "I had to gain your trust in order to fulfill my purpose. And that is to serve my father in his endeavor to stop the Snowscape and get rid of the Spackle."
Eric pats his son on the shoulder. "I knew you'd come around."
Yer both insane. I'LL KILL YOU BOTH. Tod screams.
"You say that now. But you will be thanking me later." Eric says. "Matthew, unchain him. It's time to go to the forest and perform the ritual."
"NO!" I say out loud, watching as Matthew approaches Todd.
Get yer hands off of me! Todd yells, struggling to get away, though failing, as Matthew is much larger and stronger. He gets Todd out of the chair, arms still behind his back, and shoves him to the ground. I scream as his face slams against the floor.
"TODD!"
Viola, Viola they're taking me. He says, now only to me.
"DON'T LET THEM!" I say desperately.
I ain't got a choice. He says, and my heart breaks, hearing the hopelessness in his voice.
"I'll find a way to you!" I say, determination filling my Noise.
No, Viola, stay put! I'm going to get to you. I promise. He says, just as Matthew pulls him onto his feet. They start shuffling him out the room, and the further he goes, the less I hear from him. My heart stops once his Noise disappears.
He is gone-
Todd is gone-
But somehow, I still don't believe it, won't let myself believe it, and I look from left to right, desperate to find something, anything, to get me out of here. My eyes fall to the shards of glass on the floor, and an idea comes to mind. I use the heels of my boots to scooch forward, then grab the largest piece with my hands still tied. I use the sharp edge to the best of my ability, sawing at the rope until it finally severs. Then I do the same to the ropes around my ankles until they, too, fall to the ground. I gasp in amazement, but waste no time being in awe of this accomplishment.
It won't mean anything unless I can get to Todd. And save him.
I run to the door, not surprised to find that it's locked. I try the window next, grabbing onto the metal bars and tugging, only to find that it's also locked in place.
"C'mon Viola, think." I say to myself, beginning to pace. There must be some kind of way to get out of here...
My concentration is broken by a scream.
I jump at the sound, then peer back out the window to find Laura, way off in the distance, in the midst of an attack. Two female figures tower over her, one holding her down, while the other ties her up. I step back from the window as they get her to her feet and approach my cell, afraid of who may be on their way to attack me. But a few moments later I recognize the pair.
Hildy.
And Steff Taylor.
"Open the door!" Steff yells at Laura, pointing a gun to her head. Hildy is holding onto Laura's arms.
"I'd rather you kill me than let my father down!" Laura shouts.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Steff says now, nudging the gun closer to her face.
"Hol on there Steff." Hildy says. "Grab her arms fer me."
Steff lets the gun down reluctantly and does what Hildy says. Then Hildy begins to pay Laura down, until she finds the key in her jacket pocket.
"Got it." Hildy says. She sticks the key into the door and cold air rushes in. I step back as Steff throws Laura into the cell.
"Viola? You in der?" Hildy asks.
"I'm here!" I yell, running from out the cell and into the darkness. I grab them both in a hug, then pull away.
"How the hell did you two find me?!" I yell.
"Matthew led us here." Hildy says.
I blink, unable to comprehend the situation. "What do you mean, Matthew led you here?"
"He's not really working for his dad. It was just a distraction so that the rest of us could come save you." Steff says. "The rest of the team is working on saving Todd. Ben, 1017. And Bradley."
I blink, completely shocked at what they're saying to me.
"So Bradley came back?" I ask.
"When he heard you was in trouble, he cudnt refuse." Hildy says.
"Now all that's left to do is save Todd." Steff says.
I nod, letting this information settle in, feeling the tiniest bit of hope, knowing that our council is working together again, understanding what it is we have to do now. I turn around quickly, shutting the prison door, and ask Hildy for the key to lock it.
"Let's go save him, then."
...
The three of us run as fast as we can through the deep snow and bitterly cold air. The sun is beginning to set, the sky getting darker and darker, but that doesn't stop our descent into the forest. I try to use my Noise to detect Todd, to see where he's at, but I've got nothing. I begin to feel as if we are running towards nothing, but refuse to give in.
Not until I find him. Not until I save him.
"Matthew said they were going to the middle of the forest. Near a really large rock!" Steff yells, panting out of breath behind me.
"An near some kind of lake!" Hildy yells.
This information causes me to pause, boots sinking down into the snow.
"I know exactly where that is." I say, thinking of the first time I brought Todd there, when I told him about the plan 1017 and Mathew made. And it is in this moment that it all makes sense to me, Matthew wanting to gain Todd's trust, wanting Todd to be on his side once his father came for us.
When the time is right.
I turn on my heels and head in the opposite direction, Hildy and Steff following in suit. We run for many miles, legs burning, cold wind forcing tears from our eyes, but we don't stop until we see the river, and the rock on the other side of it, and a fire burning bright. The three of us pause behind a tree, careful not to make our presence known, as we can now hear the Noise of Eric, and Matthew.
And Todd.
He hears me.
Viola?
"It's me." I say quietly. "Stay calm. I'm with Hildy and Steff. The boys are somewhere here, too. We're saving you, Todd."
There figures are hard to make out from such a long distance, but I can tell that Todd is easing up through his Noise. But not completely. He's still tied up, standing very closely to the fire, and there are a few items sitting at his feet. A bundle of leaves, a couple of rocks, a pail of water.
"This ritual must be performed, in front of our Lord, in order to restore peace and balance to this planet." Eric says. "Untie his hands, son."
Matthew steps forward, starting to untie the ropes from Todd's hands. Todd stares at him with cold eyes as he does this, then immediately punches Matthew in the face once his hands are free. Matthew doesn't fight back, allowing Todd to attack him, and I beg for Todd to stop through my Noise.
"He's on your side, Todd!" I say, showing him the truth.
Todd stops when hearing this, but it's not long before Eric smacks him in the face, sending him to the ground.
"Stop this nonsense, Todd! You are here now, and there is no getting out of it. Do as we say, or else I will have Laura punish your precious Viola!"
If we hadn't of made it in time to show Todd I was okay, he probably would have lashed out again, afraid of me getting hurt. But since he knows that I am okay, he stands, and listens.
What do you want me to do. He says.
Eric points at the items on the ground. "Each item represents a component of earth. Stick your hand in the water."
Todd bends down, momentarily touching the water, then stands back up.
"Now grab a rock and a leaf." Eric says.
Todd does so.
"Now, I need you to place a hand in the fire."
What? Todd asks, and my heart thumps in my chest.
"You heard me." Eric says. "Once you've touched all of these elements, you will use your Noise to connect to the land. Once that is done, you will step into the fire, and repeat a prayer that will restore life to the way it should be."
You want me to WALK INTO FIRE? Todd asks.
"Was there a mistake in my instruction?" Eric says. "Do it. Or Viola doesn't survive."
Todd shakes his head, knowing that I'm okay, knowing that he is lying, so instead of listening, he throws the items forcefully at Eric.
"Control him, Matthew!" Eric hollers. But Matthew doesn't listen. He gives Todd a look, who nods, and then aims the gun towards his father.
"What are you doing?" Eric asks.
Matthew hesitates before responding to his father.
"Stop this now, father. Or I'll kill you." He says, and I freeze, not believing he'll do it.
Eric grins. "So your plea to join my mission was all… a trick?"
Matthew nods slowly. "Give it up. You're outnumbered now. It's over."
"Oh, Matthew. Do not speak so permanently. People with faith as strong as mine never believe that things are truly over. Did you not think I didn't prepare for this moment? That I wouldn't know your little friends would be hiding in the forest?"
Todd's Noise rattles with fear, turning his attention towards me, and I do the same. How did he know that we'd be here?
There isn't enough time to wonder.
"AFTER THEM!" Eric screams.
A group of about ten men approach from the trees, one half running in one direction while the others come towards me, Hildy, and Steff. Hildy and Steff raise their guns to shoot, sending bullets in their direction. Shots also fire from the other side of the forest, probably coming from the boys, who are hiding on the other side. Everything is happening so fast, in such a blur, and I don't stay long enough to see if the men fall.
Instead, I run straight to Todd.
"TODD!" I scream in a panic, my Noise bursting with so much fear and determination, the most I've ever felt from it. I can feel the same coming from Todd, who's fighting off Eric. He's pulling on Todd's arm, trying to push him into the fire.
VIOLA!He says, Noise so full of all his love and devotion and willingness to save me. I use everything in my power to show him the same.
"TODD!" I shout.
VIOLA!He says again, this time even louder than me. It's almost as if our Noise is getting stronger, the more we call for one another, giving me a boost in my speed and strength in my bones.
"TODD!" I say, just as I make it to him. Todd and I lock eyes on one another, an incredible strength building between our Noises, so much that it is almost unbearable. I can feel everything from him, all of his fears and his determination and is love, and he can feel the same from me. Eric let's go of Todd, a fear passing over his face at the power of our Noise, and stumbles into the snow. And it is in that moment, right as I reach for Todd, and he grabs my hand, and our fingers interlock, palms facing each other, that a power stronger than anything I've ever felt surges through our hands, and an abundance of light ruptures around us, and then we fall, down into the snow, one last flicker of Noise between us, before everything goes silent.