{Viola}

Todd and I drag our tired, worn out bodies through the snow covered forest, following in Eric's footsteps until dawn breaks. The rest of our groups is a great distance behind us now, and there's no telling how much further we have to go until we find Eric and Matthew. If it wasn't for the strength that our Noise is giving us, we definitely wouldn't have made it this far. That, and the game we're playing to distract us how much our bodies are begging us to stop.

Not to mention the fear of facing Eric once again.

But we're trying not to think about it until we get there.

"So how does the game go again?" Todd asks me, even after I've explained the rules to him. We're walking side by side, shoulders occasionally bumping into each other as we trudge through the snow.

"It's called two truths and a tale. You tell me two things about you that are real and one that isn't. Then I have to guess which one is a lie." I explain. Todd furrows his eyebrows.

"I don't get the point of it." He says plainly, in true Todd fashion.

"It's just a guessing game. To pass the time." I tell him. We've walked in nervous silence for long enough now - and I didn't want to spend these moments fussing over the possible outcome of our plan. There was no point in being anxious or worried about facing Eric - we've come too far to turn away now, and there was also nothing left to discuss. Our plan is simple - use our Noise to stop Eric. And the snowscape, if possible.

At this point-

We just have to do it-

God, I hope we can do it-

Todd interrupts my thoughts by finally speaking. "You go first. So I can see how it's done."

I stifle a laugh but nod anyways.

"Okay. My middle name is June. I'm allergic to hazelnuts. And I'm scared of the dark." I say, giving him a mischievous smile. Todd thinks for a moment before finally responding.

"All of those are lies." He says, a matter of fact. My mouth gapes open before I playfully shove his shoulder.

"No they're not, Todd! Only one is." But he shakes his head no.

"There's no way. You only got two names. Viola Eade. And I've seen you eat hazelnuts before, I think. And yer not scared of the dark. That wud be impossible, considerin all we been thru." He says.

I give him a small smile. "Well, you're right about the last one. That was my lie." I tell him. "But the other two are true. My middle name is my mom's first name. And if you've ever seen me eating hazelnuts, I had to of been desperately hungry, because I'm severely allergic."

Todd looks at me as if I've transformed into an entirely different person.

"That's strange." He says. I narrow my eyes at him.

"I can't help what I'm allergic to, Todd."

He shakes his head. "No, not that. Yer middle name. I can't see you as a June."

I shrug my shoulders. "I mean, June is my mom's first name. Eade is my dad's last name. I guess it was there way of showing that I'm a part of them both."

Todd nods his head slowly, starting to gain understanding.

"So, if we get married, yer gonna have four names? Viola June Eade Hewitt?"

Now I let out a real laugh, but only confusion comes from Todd's Noise.

"Usually girls change their last name. So it would be Viola June Hewitt. Or, just Viola Hewitt. That's less complicated." I say.

Todd shakes his head no. "I like yer name as it is. Just Viola Eade."

"Well, if we get married, I would change it to Hewitt." I say. It's not anything I'd thought about in too much detail, considering there's barely enough time to save ourselves as well as this planet, but somehow I already know it's what I want to do. Todd is my everything, and it would be my way of showing it-

If we ever get the chance-

If we ever escape this chaos-

"You can't." Todd continues to protest. "You've always been Viola Eade."

"But that's what you do when you get married. Just like my parents gave me their names, I want to have yours. To prove we're together." I tell him.

Todd gently takes my hand in his before raising them up, showing me the light that shines through our fingers.

"Viola. We're as close as we're ever gonna get." He says. "Changin a last name can't compare to this."

Todd lowers our hands but his eyes never leave mine. I can read everything coming from his Noise, love and happiness and hope, and I can't help but to show the same things back.

"I guess you're right." I tell him, blushing.

But sarcasm soon fills his Noise, followed by a mischievous look as his lips curl into a smile.

"I don't know why yer talkin about gettin married anyways. I haven't even asked you yet." He says, nudging me with his shoulder.

"Yeah, but I know you're going to." I tell him, a matter of fact.

Todd shakes his head no, but he's still smiling. "You don't know that."

My mouth gapes open in shock, and I let go of Todd's hand to forcefully shove him to the ground. The power from my Noise helps me do this, so instead of him falling at my side he actually goes sliding through the snow, stopping a few feet away from me. My eyes widen in surprise and I bring my hands to my mouth, covering the gasp that escapes my lips. But once I see Todd getting up, dusting snow off his clothes, I let out a laugh.

"That's what you get!" I yell to him between laughs.

Todd shakes his head at me before reaching down, grabbing a handful of snow.

"Yer gonna regret that!" He yells back, standing up with the snow in his hands. I can read what he's about to do before he even does it, but he's already arching his arm backward, using the power from his Noise to hurl the snowball my way.

I attempt to run but Todd is too quick, and the snowball hits the side of my leg. The force of it causes me to going flying backwards before falling into the snow. I hear Todd laughing from a distance.

"So that's how he wants to play." I whisper to myself, conveying vengeful emotions to him through my Noise. Todd notices this, then speaks to me through his own.

Bring it on, Viola Eade.

I collect my own handful of snow before standing up, then quickly get back onto my feet. Todd already has two snowballs in each hand, prepared to throw them at me, and I dare him to do it through my Noise.

Ladies first. He says.

I waste no time bantering with Todd and throw my snowball, watching it surge through the air towards him. He moves out of the way in just enough time, and I curse under my breath for missing. Even from afar, I can see Todd smiling playfully.

You can do better than that, Viola!

He follows this statement by throwing both snowballs, but this time he's short, and they plummet into the snow a few feet in front of me. Snow flies into the air as they crash into the ground, and I use that time to run around the tiny explosion, sprinting straight towards Todd. He doesn't expect this surprise attack and runs away once he spots me, but determination to get back at him fills my Noise and boosts my speed. Soon I've nearly caught up to him, jumping the last few feet between us to then tackle him to the ground.

We're both out of breath and laughing.

"Okay, okay." Todd says. "You win."

I roll off his back and into the snow beside him, satisfied with the win.

"That was fun." I say. "I could really get used to this having powers thing. Especially when you're being particularly irritating."

Todd doesn't respond with more than a small laugh, but he does show how happy he is through his Noise. Moments like these, easy and fun and carefree, are few and far between, especially when we are in the middle of a war. But we are both grateful to have them, whenever and however we can, because there's no telling when they'll come to an end. I look over at Todd, witnessing his side profile, looking up into the sky, and suddenly I want to protect him with everything I have, wanting so badly to make it to the other side of this war, to keep having moments like these for the rest of our lives-

Until my thoughts are interrupted by a strange feeling-

A warning from the Land-

That's telling me-

To take cover.

I sit up quickly in the snow.

"Did you hear that?" I ask Todd. He sits up, too.

"No. What is it?"

"I don't know." I say. "It was a really strange feeling. Kind of like the one I got before the Snowscape started.."

Just as I say this, the winds begin to pick up, rustling the naked tree branches and stirring the snow on the ground. Alarm raises in both our Noise, prompting us to stand.

"I think the Land is trying to warn us about the storm." I say.

"It's gettin worse." Todd says. He instinctively grabs my hand, pulling me closer to his side. "We need to go, Viola!"

I nod and we both take off running through the forest, desperately searching for a place to hide until the storm passes. There isn't a cave in sight, and I begin to feel worried as the winds get harsher and snow begins to fall.

"This isn't safe, Todd!" I shout.

"We'll find somewhere to go!" He tells me, but his Noise isn't so sure. He stops, looking around for someplace suitable, until his eyes land on the hill that raises up above the trees. He shouts something to me while pointing to it, but I can't hear what he's saying over the wind.

"What?!" I yell.

There's a cave up there! Remember? He says through his Noise.

And I do. A really long time ago, we hid from Aaron in that cave, fought him even, until there was no other choice, until I had to kill him. It's discomforting, thinking about having to go there again, but it seems as if it's our only choice in order to be safe. I don't even respond to Todd, instead running straight for the hill, Todd right beside me.

"You think we'll be able to get up there?" I say once we're at the base of the hill.

I don't know! You go before me so I can see you. He says.

I nod, starting up the hill, and even though the trek is slow and wobbly, we're getting up there pretty well. But the steeper the hill gets the harder it is to climb, especially with the slippery snow underneath us. A sudden gust of wind suddenly pushes me off balance, causing me to fall backwards. I slam into Todd's chest and we both go tumbling backwards until we're back at the base of the hill.

Are yer okay?! He asks me.

"I'm fine! But we're not going to make it up!" I shout, fear beginning to rise in my Noise. If Eric isn't going to kill us, the Snowscape certainly will, unless we take cover soon. Todd's Noise searches for an idea, something, anything, to help us get up the hill, until his eyes land on a tree that is rapidly rustling in the wind.

I have an idea! He says, running over to the tree. I follow, confused, until I see Todd reach his arm up towards the branches, creating light from his Noise into his hand.

A surge of light flies from his palm and strikes the tree branch, sending it down into the snow with a loud thump. He does this several more times until four branches are on the ground. He runs over to them, and waves me over to join.

Take two of them! He tells me. We'll use them to get up the hill!

I nod, understanding his plan, and pick up two of the branches. As we run back to the hill, I try to let Todd know that I appreciate his idea, but he isn't interested in any compliments right now. My name is on repeat in his Noise, filled with both willingness and determination to get us up that hill.

Soon, mine is filled with the same.

We hike up the hill again, this time with the branches as an aid. The effort isn't simple but it's much easier than our first attempt, and we're almost close enough to see the entrance of the cave. I smile to myself, happy that Todd and I are just a few steps away from safety, and once the hill levels out the cave is in plain sight. We run the rest of the way until we are safely inside.

"Thank goodness." I say, out of breath and shivering from the cold. "Todd, we made it."

Todd only nods his head, throwing the sticks onto the ground and collapsing right beside them. I rush over to him, crouching at his side.

"Todd? Are you alright?" I ask, placing one hand on his cheek, the other on his chest.

"I'm fine." He says, chest rising and falling underneath my hand. "Just tired. And cold."

My Noise settles down once I realize he's alright, then my eyes divert to the branches on the ground.

"Here, I'll see if I can make a fire." I say. Todd starts to sit up.

"I'll help." He says. But I shake my head no.

"You've done enough." I tell him. "And I don't need help, anyways. It'll be easy to do with my Noise."

Todd eventually agrees, sitting back on the cave wall while I take the branches, break them apart, then assemble them into a nice pile. After this step I take a tiny piece off, rubbing it on the pile while light beams from my palms until a nice fire is blazing before us.

"See? That was easy." I say, palms facing the fire. Todd smiles.

"We make a pretty good team." He says. "We should've been doin this together the whole time. Just you and me."

I crawl around the fire and join Todd, slumping against the wall before resting my head on his shoulder. My eyelids get heavy before responding.

"We couldn't have made it here without everyone else." I say, sleepily. "But I agree with you. We do make a pretty good team."

He looks down at me now, brushing away a stray piece of hair that's fallen into my eyes. "I don't know what I'd ruddy do without you, Viola Eade."

"I don't either, Todd. But good thing we don't have to find out."

My eyes are closed now, but I see him smile through my Noise.

"Yer know, I really was gonna ask you to marry me. If we make it outta this." He admits.

"You mean when we make it outta this." I say. He nods.

"Yeah." A pause sits between us before he continues. "It's just one thing that bothers me about it."

I sit up now, curiosity filling my Noise. "What is it?"

Sadness occupies his Noise before he even gets the words out. "We ain't gonna have no family there. Not our real family, at least."

I'm stilled with shock, expecting Todd to of said anything else but that. The reminder that neither of us have our parents causes something to tug at my heart, both joy and pain. I imagine my parents meeting Todd, knowing that they would've instantly loved him, knowing that they would've appreciated him for how dedicated and caring he is towards the people he loves. It's a beautiful idea, one that makes my heart so happy, but that's all it is, an idea, and it pains me that they'll never get to know the wonderful and caring person who has my heart. It's also heartbreaking that I'll never know the other half of who Todd is, his mother, the words that occupied her journal the closest I'll ever be to her. Todd is able to read all of these emotions in my Noise, feeling the same way I do, and an overwhelming sadness pulses between us both.

"Todd." I whisper, taking his hand in mine.

"Hmm?" He says, squeezing my hand but not looking up. I can tell that he's crying through his Noise.

"I think... I think that our parents would be really happy that we found each other."

He sniffles in response, still looking away from me. His sadness compels me to continue speaking.

"And... in a way... it's kind of like... they brought us together." I say, now whimpering myself. His Noise questions what I mean, and I don't hesitate to explain.

"All those years ago, your mother prompted you to leave Prentisstown, because she knew there was something greater meant for you. And at that same time, my parents forced me to come to this New World, to also fulfill a better purpose. And, by them doing that, by then urging us on, we found each other. That would've never happened... without them."

I don't realize that I'm crying until Todd looks up, seeing my tears reflected in his eyes. He takes his hand and cups my cheek, brushing away tears with his thumb.

"You ruddy always have the right thing to say." He says, smiling, and I laugh.

"I mean it, Todd." I tell him. "They may not be able to see it, but they know that we're alright. And they know that we're doing the right things for this world. And they know that we're doing them together."

Love and warmth fills his Noise before pulling me into a hug. We sit like that for a moment, the power of our Noise building, light forming between us, until Todd pulls away and speaks gently.

"Well, hopefully after we find Eric, this world will be a better place. A place they'd be proud of."

I nod before responding faithfully, "I know it will be."

And it's the first time in a long while that Todd and I fall asleep without worrying, fall asleep without the fear of tomorrow's fate joining us in our slumber. I even get confirmation from the Land through my Noise that this is true, that things are going to be okay, and I smile to myself as I lay on Todd's shoulder, exhaustion willing me into a peaceful sleep, listening to the winds outside of the cave, watching them toss the flames of our fire through barely open eyelids. It's such a peaceful, hopeful moment that I almost have to ask myself if it's all actually over, but no. After a while mine and Todd's Noise begins to rattle, begins to tell us that even though

we're on the right path-

Danger is still ahead-

That we are still on the other side of the war-

That there are still things we must sacrifice-

And it's time to face them now.

I question if it's a dream at first, but no, our Noise is telling us that something, that someone, is coming. Todd jumps awake before I do, causing me to slip off his shoulder. I use my elbow to break my fall, looking up at Todd as panic swirls around his Noise.

Who is that?! Todd says, putting up a hand that's beginning to beam with light in his defense. I quickly get up and join at his side, but he only pushes me back behind him.

Stay behind me until we see who it is first! Todd says, but I shrug out his grasp and re-join him at his side.

"Todd, we're doing this together, remember? The only way we're going to fight them off is if our Noise works in unison!" And so, I put up my own hand, a dim light forming there to match Todd's, and he has no other choice but to comply. We turn our heads to witness the visitor who's joining us-

Fear and panic building in their Noise-

Both of our names on repeat in their mind-

And then his shadowed figure steps into the cave-

And the light from our fire finally shows who it is-

Matthew Lyle.

"I found you guys!" He exclaims, followed by a maddening laugh that echoes throughout the cave, causing Todd and I to jump. The closer he gets to us the more the fire light reveals his figure, and it obvious that he was caught by the storm, flecks of snow stuck in his hair, on his eyelashes, and the tips of his ears and fingertips. He's also got a crazed look on his face, a smile that's seemingly frozen in place, and is walking with stiff legs. Now I do follow Todd's command, slightly stepping behind him as Matthew gets closer. I wonder to myself if this is what it looks like for someone to lose their mind.

And if he had, I couldn't blame him.

Matthew reads the fear that builds in our Noise and pauses. "What's wrong guys? It's me! Matthew!"

Todd's hand is still up while the other is stretched out to guard me. He backs up a couple more feet before addressing him.

"What... what happened to yer?" Todd asks.

Matthew attempts to raise an eyebrow, but they're nearly frozen to his face. "What do... what do you mean? I just got caught in the snowstorm. I'm... I'm just cold. And... tired. I was in a safe place...but I had to risk the journey... to find you two... because he's... my father is..."

But before he's able to get the words out, Matthew completely collapses onto the ground.

We rush over, Todd crouching down to flip him onto his back while I search my Noise, wondering if he's alright. After a moment it's apparent that Matthew is just out of it, his mind and body having taken a toll from traveling during the snowscape.

"Let's get him by the fire." Todd says to me. I nod before we each take one of his arms, pulling him towards the wall, leaving him in front of the fire to thaw out. We sit on the other side with our knees tucked to our chests, watching him, mumbling to one another, until he finally wakes up.

"I'm sorry I scared you guys." He says quietly.

"It's okay." I tell him. "But what happened? Why were you out there during the storm?"

Matthew puts his palms onto the floor and tries to push himself into a seated position, but he's too weak and abandons the attempt. Instead he remains slumped against the wall, and looks at us through cracked eyelids before speaking, "I had a safe hiding spot in a cave, just outside the forest, until I heard him."

"Heard who? Eric?" Todd asks.

"Yes. But not just my father. He… he had an army with him. Hundreds of men." Eric says.

I don't know if it is out of fear or anticipation of a fight, but I jump to my feet before my brain commands me to do it, light from my Noise pulsing into my hand. A powerful force also begins to build as Todd is feeling the same way. We both have to will it to calm down. To save itself for the oncoming attack.

Matthew looks between the two of us, then his eyes stop on our glowing hands. " You nearly scared him to death when you caused that explosion a few days ago. That's why he formed an army. He's realized that he can't beat you two without one. Not while you can do that."

"Well, that's the point." Todd states, getting to his feet, an angered look on his face as if he's going into battle right this second. "How far away is he?"

Matthew shrugs, "I don't know. I think they stopped once the storm really started to pick up. I didn't risk looking back. I just knew I needed to get to you guys."

Todd and I both nod, then look to each other. We don't say anything, just read the emotions coming from each other's Noise, but even if we didn't have it, the message would still be loud and clear-

This is it.

And moments later.

We hear him coming.

"TODD HEWITT! VIOLA EADE!" We hear Eric scream from below.

And our Noise rattles in anticipation-

And light beams in our hands-

And a force builds between us-

And we've never felt so ready in our lives-

Before the battle begins.

Todd starts running to the opening of the cave, but I linger behind as I see Matthew begin to stand up.

"You're not coming with us! You're weak and it's too dangerous right now." I tell him.

"No, I can help you guys-"

"It's not safe!"

He forms a tight line with his lips before sitting back down. "Okay, Okay. I'll stay." He says.

"We'll come back for you. Take cover if you have to!"

He nods in understanding. "I will."

I start to run off after Todd but Matthew stops me,

"Viola, wait!"

I do.

"I just… thank you. For everything. I don't deserve-"

But I raise a hand to stop him.

"Not now. After we've won." I tell him. The feeling of reconciliation is mutual, especially after how much he and I have fought over the last couple of months. I'm sure after all of this is over, we'll be able to make up for it. Maybe even become friends.

But that can't happen-

Until it's over.

Matthew seems to understand what I'm saying and wishes me luck before I follow after Todd, onto the hill, to meet our fate.

To finish this once and for all.

I join Todd at the edge of the hill, the force between us stronger and pulsing with anticipation now that we're side by side. The storm has obviously calmed, the sky a beautiful blue, devoid of clouds, sunlight beaming down, causing the snow on the ground to shimmer. One would never assume that a war was about to begin here, in such a beautiful moment.

But the hundreds of men lined up at the base of the hill, some loaded with ammunition, and Eric leading their charge, makes it blatantly obvious.

"Well look who it is! Our savior! Or saviors, I should say!" Eric yells upon spotting us.

You don't know what you just got yerself into! Todd shouts through his Noise.

"Oh, but I do!" Eric says. "Did you really think I wouldn't come back after seeing that not one, but the BOTH of you have the power to stop this treacherous storm? To kill off the Spackle? You two can do anything with that power, and I'll stop at nothing to have it!"

I shake my head before throwing my own comment into the mix, "Did you hear what you just said? We can do ANYTHING with it. Defeating you isn't excluded from that!"

Even from so far down, I can see the creepy smile tugging at his lips.

"Oh, we will see about that, Miss Viola." He pauses. A chilling silence falls over us. Then he points straight up, directing his army towards us. "AFTER THEM!"

His army starts to run up the hill, but they don't have a chance once Todd and I point our hands towards them, the force from our Noise shooting out and sending them into the air. We do this several more times, hitting his men from different angles, falling into a rhythm as they go flying backwards, and in this moment, the war is entirely in our hands. His men start to change their tactics, coming at us from the sides of the hill, even shooting bullets in our direction. Todd seems to notice a group of them heading my way and sends an extremely powerful surge of light that blows them far off into the distant trees.

"Thanks!" I shout to him over the commotion. I steal a quick glance at Todd and see him nod, sweat dripping down his forehead, the tiniest smile renting his face. Focusing my attention back to the battle below I realize why he's grinning - because we're winning, because Eric's men are no match against our Noise, just as we predicted. Nervous excitement dances around in my Noise, ready for it to be over, ready to finally win this all, ready to see what the world looks like on the opposing side of chaos-

Until everything changes.

Eric begins to wave his hands in the air, seemingly telling his men to surrender. At Eric's command, everyone stops fighting, but Todd and I keep our hands up.

"Alright!" He yells to us. "We see that you're clearly more powerful than us!"

Todd and I stand frozen, breathing heavily, blood pumping in our ears, as we listen to Eric state words we never thought he'd admit.

"Do you think he's gonna surrender?" Todd whispers to me. I shrug my shoulders, noticing Todd wonder about the possibility of peace, the tiniest bit of hope that he won't have to kill Eric popping into his Noise.

But I don't allow myself to believe it.

Not after what Eric is beginning to do.

The remainder of his army has dropped their weapon, but use another that is more powerful, and more dangerous, than any bullet could be. With their Noise they repeat the same phrase in unison, which has no affect on me, but has every affect on Todd, sending him into a terrified panic. He instantly drops to his knees, squinting his eyes shut, pressing into his ears, screams escaping from his lips, and I'm shouting no, trying to use my Noise to stop them, but I can't, not without the power of Todd's Noise beside me, which is beginning to get silent, beginning to disappear, as he listens to the one thing that makes him weak, the one thing he's struggled to fully overcome-

I AM THE CIRCLE AND THE CIRLCE IS ME.