[Todd]

"Are one of yer gonna tell us wut this is about?"

It's the third time I have to ask this question without gettin an answer from Mona or the female Spackle, and I don't kno whether to be irritated or afraid or both.

But all Viola seems to be is nervous. Her Noise is swarmin with all kinds of questions and she's worryin her bottom lip, walkin next to me as we follow Ben, Mona, and the female Spackle. I already kno it's because of wut she may find out about her Noise – about the other woman they said had it, too.

"If yer worried then I'm gonna be worried." I say to her in a whisper.

"You saw how unhappy she looked." Viola is quick to respond, like she was waitin for me to say somethin. "I should've known that was a bad idea-"

I don't let her finish, stopping her before she starts to panic. "It ain't yer fault that you got Noise, Viola."

But she only sighs. "I didn't have to flaunt it in front of everyone, though."

"You weren't. They all wanted to see about yer Noise, and we showed em." I say.

"But it could've frightened some people, too. Gosh, why didn't I think of that." She presses the heel of her palm to her forehead, guilt swarmin around in her Noise.

"Viola." I say to her, lookin at her face, every feature shadowed except for her eyes in the moonlight. "This is a planet with Noise. If they haven't accepted it by now, that's their fault. Not yers."

She looks at me now, and I can tell that she wants to believe it what I'm sayin.

"But they aren't used to a woman having Noise. Especially not the female Spackle-"

"And?" I say, a little irritated, but only at the situation, not at her. "She ain't the Noise police."

I can hear everything you're saying back there, Todd Hewitt. The female Spackle says without turnin around.

"Apparently not." I'm quick to respond. "I've been askin yer wut this is about nearly ten times and yer haven't responded."

That doesn't mean I didn't hear you. She says.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "So then yer ignoring us."

Viola grabs onto my forearm, tuggin just a little as if to tell me "don't push it."

We're almost there, just be patient. Ben tells us.

I only shake my head in disapproval – why did we have to walk all the way back to the Spackle community just to have a conversation? Matter fact, why did we even need to have a conversation at all? Even tho I agreed to Viola finding out more about her Noise, it didn't have to be like this, with a crazy scientist lady and a bitter old Spackle. The whole thing just seemed dramatic – and it's got Viola all worried for no reason. It ain't too bad, but her Noise is panicked, the most it's been since the end of the war.

And if there's one thing I promised to her –

Promised to myself, even –

Was that neither one of us wud meet that same chaos again.

But at least we've finally reached the Spackle community, followin behind Mona and the female Spackle into one of the tents – which is taller and wider than even the house me and Viola just got. There's a table that's low to the ground in the center, little cushions sittin around it for seats, and papers with Mona's crazy handwritin strewn across the dirt ground.

Make yourselves comfortable. The female spackle says, pointin to the table while she takes a seat in the Spackle made chair. Viola and Ben and Mona sit down, but I'm hesitant to.

"Can't yer just tell us wut this is about? Ain't no need in gettin comfortable when we're-"

"Todd." Viola says, her voice on the edge of irritation. "Just sit down, please."

I only do it for Viola's sake, cuz I kno how much learnin about her Noise means to her, and I promised her that I'd help find out. But I don't put forth the effort to hide my Noise from the female Spackle, either.

Before I can fully sit down beside Viola, she's already startin up the conversation.

"I'm really sorry if what we did at the festival was offensive." She says to the female Spackle. "We were just trying to show the community what our Noise could do."

No need to apologize. The female Spackle says. It is what saved us all from the war, after all.

"So wut's the big fuss about us usin our Noise, then?" I ask, earnin a pointed look from Viola, but one of agreement from Ben.

There is no… big fuss. She says, kinda cringin when she repeats my Prentisstown slang. I just want to make sure you two know what you're getting yourselves into.

So what you're saying is that you have information about Viola's Noise? Ben asks right away.

She nods. Viola Eade is not the first female human to have Noise.

I hear Viola take a sharp breath, but she don't speak. So instead, I ask her question for her.

"Who was she?"

Disappointment filled the older Spackle's Noise. I'm afraid I don't have an exact answer to that – she never shared her name with us. We only knew her for a brief time.

"Are yer serious?" I say. "You got us all worked up just to tell us you don't kno where Viola's Noise comes from-"

"Well, what do you know about her?" Viola interrupts, her voice desperate.

The older Spackle cut her eye towards me before continuing. About ten years ago, there was a woman who came into our community, dirty and scared and frantic. We thought she'd come to kill us all – back then, your kind and ours were still separated by fear. But we could tell that she wasn't afraid of us, that she didn't intend to harm any Spackle. She simply just wanted help.

From who? From what? Ben asks, scooting closer to the edge of his seat.

An attack on her home city. The female Spackle says.

And this time, I'm the one to takes a sharp breath –

And me and Ben look to each other –

And we got the same idea poppin up in our Noise –

The Mayor's first attack on Prentisstown.

"Did she say where she was from?" I ask, but not sure if I really want to kno.

She never told us. Only that the women in her city were being attacked, taken, and killed. She was almost killed herself, but she found her way out, fleeing into the woods, running until she made it to us. She begged to stay in our community, promising she'd carry her weight. And she held true to that promise, for the little time she was with us.

"And what happened to her after that?" Viola asks, just as curious as me and Ben.

She stayed for an entire month, learning about our culture, asking us questions about Noise, until a man from the same city showed up. They knew each other, but were not very close, though they eventually grew to be. In addition to learning about our kind, they planned a rebellion against their home together.

"That still don't tell us how she got Noise." I say.

She got it from the man she was with. The older Spackle tells me. They were so determined to save the women, the children, the Spackle, even. But not only was their connection to the Land strong, but their connection to each other. Their love for one another made them strong – just as strong as you two, if not stronger.

I look to Viola and she looks to me, and we stare at each other for a while, until we look down at our hands, a small glow shining between our palms. It didn't seem possible that someone else cud have wut we did –

But in this New World –

Anything seemed to be possible.

"Obviously they weren't able to use their Noise to save the women – the mayor killed them all anyways." Viola says, her voice waverin.

The older Spackle's Noise fills up with regret. That's because there was an attack on our community before they could go back. The pair attempted to defend us, using their Noise to do so. But instead of saving our community, they destroyed it. There were explosions, and fires, and most of our community was killed. Only I and a few others survived. We had to move closer to Haven, join with a new group of Spackle. Restart our lives, again, because of your kind.

Viola tenses up at the bitterness in her voice, and even I have to fight the churning that's goin on in my stomach. Viola and I created an explosion with our Noise once – back when we fought Eric and his army. Even tho it was an accident, it still could've been deadly. We couldn't even be next to each other without causin destruction – had we not learned to control our Noise, we both would've been dead by now.

"I'm – I'm so sorry that happened to you." Viola says, a tear escapin onto her cheek.

But even tho I feel just as remorseful, I'm still determined to defend ourselves, to prove that our Noise ain't nothin to be afraid of.

"It's probably cuz they didn't kno how to control it." I say, tryin to convince myself it's true. "But me and Viola kno how to – we ain't reckless with it."

But the older Spackle only shakes her head. They said the same thing, Todd. But eventually, over time, their Noise became too powerful with one another. The connection to the Land – it is strong. When a pair shares that kind of bond, when they love one another immensely, when they share the same values and desires, it can surpass their own control. And that is exactly what happened to the couple in our community. But not only did they destroy our own community – they destroyed each other, too.

Viola's Noise freezes completely, and I gotta turn my head to her, makin sure she's still there. A terrified look is written on her face, and it seems like she hasn't blinked in forever.

"Viola?" I ask.

What do you mean, they destroyed one another? Ben asks.

The older Spackle looks to Mona, who sat at her side, scribbling things down in her notebook. It's obvious that the two have been workin together, which makes me feel unsettled.

The Noise – it killed the girl. The female Spackle says.

I tear my eyes away from Viola, and it takes everything in me not to shoot a burst of Noise her way, talkin crazy like that in front of Viola.

"No it didn't!" I say. "Yer only sayin that to scare Viola-"

I'm saying it for her own good. For her own safety, for your people's safety. The older Spackle says, all quiet and calm, not even realizin how her words have just rocked Viola's entire world.

"Todd." Viola finally speaks, givin my hand a squeeze. "It's… it's okay."

Before I can protest, she turns back to the female Spackle. "It's unfortunate, what happened to your community because of that couple's Noise, but my connection to Todd will not kill me, or anyone else. It's what saved me, saved our people, saved you, even."

That ain't wut I expected her to say, and I gotta bite back a laugh at the look on the older Spackle's face.

It will if you're not careful. She tries to insist.

"So what do you recommend we do, then?" Viola says, her words passionate. "Stay away from each other? Because if that's your idea, it's a bad one. Me and Todd have worked too hard-"

But Viola stops herself before goin on a real rant, shakin her head and standin up from the cushion, pullin me up with her.

"Wut are yer doin?" I ask her.

"We're leaving." She says. "Ben, are you ready?"

Do you not want to hear the rest of what she has to say? Ben asks, even tho he gets up to.

"No, I don't." Viola says, lookin back to Mona and the Spackle. "I don't mean any disrespect, but Todd and I are not afraid of our Noise, and you shouldn't be either. If we ever get out of control with our Noise, we'll let someone know. But for now – we aren't worried. So, if you'll excuse us."

And just like that, Viola is done with the conversation and is stompin out the tent before it can continue. Ben and I just look to each other and shrug, but before we can follow her, the Spackle speaks up.

I do hope you'll consider my point of view. The female Spackle says to me. I've seen the dangers of what this connection can do. It isn't that I don't trust you two, but if more couples learn about it from you and adopt it without the proper training, it could be dangerous. Noise, though beautiful, can also be a powerful weapon.

I can't act like her words don't sway me a bit, like the idea of more people havin our Noise wasn't a threat. But me and Viola's connection was special, not just any old couple cud create it, so the idea of more people gettin our kind of connection wasn't one that bothered me.

"Thank yer for tellin us all of wut you kno." I tell her. "But I think we're alright right now."

And as I walk out with my father, I really do believe that.

Despite the confusing feelings swarmin around in my Noise.

"No way! Yer cheatin!" I shout to Hildy, who's sittin next to me with one card left in her hand. It's the day after the festival and we're playin one of Vioa's card games on the floor in our livin room, me and Lee and Steff and Bradley and Ben. Everyone laughs when Hildy playfully swats me on the arm.

"Now yer kno me as a lotta things, Todd pup, but I ain't no cheater." She says.

"You cud have easily looked over at my cards." I say, liftin them up for emphasis.

"You're just mad because you haven't won yet, Todd." Steff says, givin me a sarcastic look like she wud Viola.

"That ain't true." I say to defend myself, even tho it is. We've been playin this game for hours now and everyone has won at least once, except for me. If Viola were here it wud be even worse – she wins this game so much she'd probably gotten bored of playin it. It's probably why she's been at the house of healing all day instead of at our little game night. Mistress Lawson told her that she needed some help with a couple of kids, and of course, she wouldn't be Viola if she didn't agree to help. But she said she'd be home before sundown, and it ain't until I look out the window for the millionth time that I realize it's the reason I keep losin the game, cuz in the back of my mind, I'm just thinkin about Viola, my Noise excited for her to finally get home.

"The game isn't over until Hildy has zero cards left, Todd." Lee says from my other side. "So you still have a chance to win. Haven't you been paying attention to the rules?"

"No, he hasn't." Steff interjects. "He's too busy thinking about Viola."

Everyone laughs, including me.

"Says the girl with twenty cards in her hand." I joke back, pointin to the cards she's gotta hold with both hands.

"At least I've won at least once!" she shouts.

But before I can say anything else, the front door opens.

"Who's making all of this ruddy Noise in my house?!" Viola says, smiling at the sight of all of her friends once she enters the living room.

"Your fiancé being a sore loser." Steff teases, dropping her cards onto the ground.

"That ain't true." I say, craning my neck upwards to see her face. "They're all cheating."

Viola kicks off her boots before plopping down next to me on the floor. She sets her arm on my shoulder, leans in to look at my cards.

"Todd. You do realize that you have Noise that's different from everyone could just read their cards that way." She says.

"So is that what you've been doing this whole time?" Bradley questions her.

But Viola only shrugs. "A great player doesn't reveal her secrets."

Steff gives her a mischievous grin. "I'm actually quite proud of you for that, Viola Eade. Who knew you had it in you."

"Well, I'm never playing a card game with her again." Bradley says, throwing his cards down.

"Don't get hurt about it, Bradley." Viola says to him. "I beat you at every game back on the scout ship, before either one of us knew about Noise."

Bradly narrowed his eyes while everyone laughed at him. "I thought we agreed that what happened on the ship, stayed on the ship."

"Did we?" Viola says, furrowing her eyebrows and feigning confusion. "I must have forgotten."

"Well, if that's the case." I chime in. "I wanna kno all the embarrassing stories about Viola. It wud only be fair, since she got a glimpse of me dancin as a little kid the other day."

"Oh." Bradley scoffs. "I've got plenty of those."

"So do I!" Steff says, all too eager to share.

"Alright, that's enough!" Viola says, stopping them before they cud continue. "I think it's time for all to go, now."

"Oh, come on Vi. There's still time to share at least one story."

"Yeah." I say. "For once, I'll agree with Steff."

"I think I'm actually going to head out." Lee says, the first of the group to stand up. "I have to be up early tomorrow to finish up a couple other houses. But this was fun – I'll be looking forward to hearing all the embarrassing stories next time."

Viola smiles before standin up. "Well, thanks for saving me, Lee. I'll walk you out."

"On second thought – I think I'm going to head out, too." Steff says, shooting up from her seat on the floor. "Walk me back, Lee?"

Viola immediately looks to me, raising a suggestive eyebrow at how eager Steff is to leave with Lee. His Noise gets all warm, and everyone in the room notices it.

"Uh, yeah. Of course." He says.

"Great! Let's go." She says, grabbin onto his writs and pullin him to the front door. "Don't worry, I'll just tell you all of Viola's stories on the way."

She winked at Viola, but she only laughed back. "Have fun, you two."

Think I'm going to leave, too. Ben says, Bradley and Hildy getting up to join him. You kids wear me out with these hangouts more than you did in the war.

"We're getting old, I guess." Bradley said, clapping him on the back. "First they can barely talk or walk. Now they're beating us in card games and getting married."

"Alright, alright." I say, pushin Ben towards the door, Bradley and Viola followin. "Think it's time you both go before yer start to cry."

Don't worry, we're going. Ben says, openin the door.

"Don't be late getting up in the morning." Bradley says to us both. "We still have work to finish."

"Don't scold em." Hildy says. "They've done enuf fer us – matter fact, let em have the day off!"

"We appreciate that, Hildy." Viola says while givin her a hug goodbye. "But we don't need a day off. We're always happy to help."

Hildy nods, "As long as yer takin care of yerselves."

Hildy heads out next, but Bradley lingers in the doorway.

"Speaking of taking care of yourselves – how have you two been? Since getting more information about Viola's Noise?"

I don't feel too right answering – if anything, it's Viola's business to tell.

"We're alright." She tells him, soundin like she means it. "The older Spackle didn't tell us anything we didn't already know."

I can tell that Viola only says it to get him off her case, and it seems to work, because he nods his head in agreement.

"Alright. Well if anything changes, or if you two need me for something, don't hesitate to ask."

"Will do." I say. Bradley leaves, just me and Viola standin with each other now.

"I see you're enjoying having company over." She says, smiling, raising an eyebrow.

"They like all of yer games." I say, smiling back. "Plus, it's the first time things have been normal for us all in a while."

"Well, if it makes them happy, they can come over every single day." She says. "If anyone deserves this, our friends do."

"It's too bad Mistress Lawson couldn't come." I say.

"She wanted to, but the house of healing is swamped right now. Things are better but the Snowscape still hasn't stopped – which is why so many people are getting sick. I'm probably going to be there helping everyday now."

"Are yer gonna need any help?" I ask her, but she only shakes her head no.

"That's nice of you, Todd, but your track record with healing isn't the best…"

I tilt my head to the side, give her a look. "So first yer come for my card playin skills, and now my healin skills."

"I don't mean it like that, Todd! But they need you helping with the houses. Plus, I like working there by myself. Gives me times to just… think a little bit."

I kno wut she means, and I nod my head to show her. "Well, if you ever do need the help, you kno I'm here."

And she smiles that smile before sayin, "I know, Todd. Thank you."

I grab her hands, pull her in towards me before kissing her cheek. But when I pull back, there's another knock on the door. When my Noise starts up with confusion, Viola doesn't hesitate to comment. "One of our friends probably just forgot something."

But when Viola reaches to open up the door – it's Mona standin in the doorway.

"Viola!" She shouts, shakin cuz of the cold. "Sorry to come by so late-"

"Mona." Viola says. "What are you doing out here, in the cold?"

"I'm not here to bother you about your Noise, again. Well, I sort of am."

Viola sighs, trying to keep her cool. "I thought we agreed that we weren't discussing it anymore?"

"And we aren't." Mona is quick to say. "I just had something I wanted to give to you and Todd."

Mona stretches out her hand, offering Viola a worn out journal. "It's something the older Spackle has held on to since she met the couple with Noise like yours. It's full of their stories and experiences from that time. If either of you would like to read it, just in case you change your mind about Noise, it'll all be here, at your disposal."

Viola is reluctant to take the notebook, but when she does, Mona instantly runs off, before we can ask her anymore questions.

I shut the door while Viola walks in slowly, starin at the journal like it's gonna explode or soemthin.

"Wut is it?" I ask. She turns around, faces me.

"I don't know if we should read it or not." She admits. "Of course, I don't believe our Noise is dangerous. But it could give us some insight, at least. Answer some questions the older Spackle couldn't provide."

I gotta fight the urge to take the journal from Viola's hands and toss it straight out the window. The older Spackle already scared her yesterday, and I didn't want any more crazy ideas gettin to her head. But even tho Viola was hesitant, I knew it's wut she wanted, cud hear it in her Noise nearly every day and night.

"Wouldn't be any harm in just readin it, right?" I tell her, steppin closer. "Supposedly the woman had Noise. Her opinion might be more trustworthy than the Spackle, anyways."

Viola nods before smilin, then looks down at the book. She opens it to the first page, all wrinkled and dirty and stained, and she lets out a little gasp at what she sees.

"Yer couldn't of read somethin bad that fast." I say, laughin at my own joke. But she don't join in.

"Todd…. Look."

Her Noise is alarmed, enough for mine to be, too. I lean into her side, not able to really read what the words say, but recognize the handwritin right away.

Handwritin I been readin since all of this started –

Handwritin that wrote the words that brought me back to life –

My mother's.

Author's Note: I feel like this chapter is a bit messy – if I was inconsistent with any of the rules with Noise/something doesn't make sense, let me know! Hope you're all safe and going well!