The Giver: Chapter 24
Slowly, the sled neared the bottom of the hill. The air was freezing and the boys shivered. Jonas looked at baby Gabe, making sure he was okay. Sighing, Jonas stepped out of the sled, cradling Gabe in his weak arms. The music had become more real than just an echo. The former Reciever-in-Training recognized it immediately as Christmas music. A sudden outburst of curiosity gave him strength to walk a tiny bit more.
His vision was blurry from every obstacle he has encountered: wind, snow, exhaustion, and hunger. However, Jonas kept going, not because he was determined to live, but because three miles from where he was, there were houses. Through the thick falling snow and the unforgiving wind, he struggled his way towards his beacon of hope.
After what seemed like an eternity, Jonas was weaker than he'd ever been. Feeling his strength being drained from him with every step. His lungs frozen from the extreme cold air. And yet he wasn't willing to give up.
Miraculously, Jonas and Gave reached the first door. It was merrily decorated with Christmas items. If it weren't for the fact Jonas was nearly dead, he would gave appreciated it, even be amazed by it.
Mustering all the strength he could, Jonas knocked four times. A part of him felt bad for interrupting the on-going celebrations, the part that knew he was still alive. The door opened, but Jonas could no longer stand. Deep down he knew he was done. Gabe wasn't, and it was his last wish to make sure at least baby Gabe lived.
Knees on the ground and his consciousness slipping away, Jonas looked up to see a strangely familiar face standing at the door. She had a look of both confusion and worry. Her luminous eyes filled with concern, she finally spotted the little fragile baby in the frail-looking boy's arms.
"T-take care of-" Jonas managed to say ever so faintly. "him."
"Of course." The young woman said in a rushed tone was she leaned down to grab the one year-old from Jonas.
"What's...Where-" Jonas took a shaky breath to steady himself as he said that.
"My name is Rosemary, and this is-" However she was cut off by his sudden intake of air. Jonas' last, most painful breath.
..::: **** :::..
"Will he ever know? About the secret behind Rosemary's release?"One of the Elders wondered.
"If he makes it to Elsewhere then of course he will." The other one said, a slight sing of amusement behind his voice.
"Now, what will we do about them?" The first Elder questioned.
All those gathered in the room turned towards the screen, showing the current state of the Community. Ever since Jonas had left, the people experienced sudden outbursts of emotions. Some positive, some negative. The number of applicants for release had grown significantly.
"I believe, that our only option, is to-" The second Elder hesitated. "Send them to Elsewhere."
" Immediately, the Chief Elder stood up and slammed the table. The Elders winced.
"Nonsense! This cannot and will not happen. Understood?" The Chief Elder yelled. Everybody else nodded silently.
"This community will stay exactly as it is." She repeated. However, this time the Elders exchanged one quick glance, a glance which The Chief Elder missed and it decided the future of the Community forever.