It was solitude, but it was solitude that wasn't lonely. Solitude that could sort things out. And he hadn't had that in ages.

No one escapes from a war. No one. Not even the survivors. You accept things that would appall you at any other time because life has temporarily lost all meaning.

I do what I have to do," I say. I do what I have to do to save him. I do what I have to do to save Todd.

Why can't we learn to live with how we are? And whatever anybody chooses is okay by the rest of us?

That's another thing about Noise. Everything that's ever happened to you just keeps right on talking, for ever and ever.

Know yourself and go in swinging.

even when peaceful cooperation is the obvious thing, the only thing that will keep any of us alive- There are still people who won't make that choice