Free : Part 1

By Lone_Wolf

The Giver stood before the community. In sad mournful voice he announced to them that Jonas was lost in the river. All was silent, even the noisy babies sitting on nurturer's laps. A ceremony of loss was performed, the name Jonas being shouted loudly gradually getting softer. Once it was of the ceremony continued normally yet anyone could walk into the room and tell that something was wrong. I hope he's okay, the giver thought. Even as he said this he could feel long gone memories coming back to him, he could sense that the others felt it too.

***

"Music, music," Gabe chanted as the hopped off the sled towards the center of the town, closer to the music. People moved out of their way as they passed, some looking sad, others looking disgusted. Jonas looked around. People in Elsewhere were different than from the Community. The people where of many different colors; from a pale crème to a dark brown on the verge of black, some people had white hair (most whom were Elders, Jonas decided), others had curly golden locks, or a straight mousy brown hair. Jonas hugged Gabe closer to himself aware that nearly everyone was staring at them. At last they reached the carolers, Jonas placed Gabe down staring at the huge Christmas tree behind the chorus. Jonas closed his eyes and listened as they began "Hark the Harold Angels Sing." So this is music he thought to himself.

***

The days turned into weeks since Jonas had left the community. More and more memories were slowing seeping back into the community. As each day passed things began to be less organized and more disoriented. The memories caused people to act overemotionally causing many fights yet creating love at the same time. Though no one admitted this the Giver could feel it in the air. The Council had taking to asking for advice everyday for now it seemed as if a new memory came with the coming day.

As with the plan the Giver comforted the community in the way that he had comforted Rosemary and Jonas. It was here where the Giver told them that he was too weak to take in any more memories, to hold their burden anymore. The community was very disappointed as this and even demanded that he should be released but they knew what would happen if he was gone. The memories would be everywhere.

***

Jonas and Gabe stood in the snow long after the carolers had gone away. They had nowhere to go and Jonas was thinking about spending the night under the huge Christmas tree that the carolers sang in front of. A woman walked in front of them. She was still young but no younger than twenty. She had long black hair and pale skin and her dark brown eyes stared at them very carefully with a certain sadness that Jonas couldn't describe. She was dressed completely in black with a bright red Christmas ribbon keeping her hair out of her face. Jonas recognized her from the crowd that was listening to the carolers. "Hello, my name is Linda," she said in a kind voice. "Is he your brother?" she asked pointed to Gabe asleep on Jonas' shoulder. Gabe was in very bad condition from the journey. His face was streaked in mud and his hair was dirty and greasy. "Yes," replied Jonas. "His name is Gabriel. My name is Jonas." He held right hand out to shake hers for it was a sign of respect to always shake hands upon introduction. "Hello, Jonas." She knew the answer to this question but she needed to hear it from the child himself. "Where are your parents?"

Jonas thought about this question for a very long time until he finally said , "We don't have any." Is that a lie? He thought to himself. No, it isn't. Parents are people who care. I don't have any. "Come with me then," Linda ordered. Jonas wasn't sure that he could trust this woman. "Where are you taking us?" he asked finally.

"To the orphanage, I run it."

"Orphanage?"

"Orphanage. You know the place where kids live if they don't have any parents." Jonas was thoroughly confused. The Giver never said anything about people not having parents before the Change. Why wouldn't kids have any parents? The answer soon came to him. They were killed.

***

The Giver was getting weaker day by day. He could feel it. Soon he would have to leave this world forever. Jonas? Is Jonas okay? He thought every night before he fell asleep.

One night while he was staring at the blank walls of his dwelling he asked himself once again, Jonas? Is Jonas okay? This time the answer came to him. Jonas is fine. He closed his eyes and never opened them again.

***