A:N/ Hey! I had to do this for class, so I decided to just post it.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Giver.
Chapter 24
The Giver
Jonas continued downward on the sled, one hand curled tightly around the rough rope, the other wrapped around Gabe. His muscles trembled in over-exertion as the hill slowly became flat land once again. Once the sled came to a full stop, Jonas surveyed his surroundings.
The silence echoed in his ears, no sign of civilization…until Jonas realized there was. There was, and it was something he thought he'd never see again – though he'd never voiced his thoughts to Gabe, intent on staying strong. Smiling, Jonas raced to the houses in the distance with renewed energy.
"Gabe," Jonas grinned, joy saturating his voice, "We've finally made it to Elsewhere." Gabe giggled in response, catching his older brother figure's happiness.
"Elsewhere, Elsewhere!" The baby chanted, clapping his tiny hands together. Jonas' eyes softened and he ran faster.
"Yes, Gabe, Elsewhere."
Jonas stopped at the first house he came to – a softly colored house with a large front porch. Feeling weak with relief, his body started to sway. Jonas just hoped he could cushion Gabe's fall… The last thing Jonas heard before he blacked out was a voice that floated to the treetops…
Jonas' eyes struggled to open. He heard many gasps and grunts, so pained sounding, so, so….annoying; he had half a mind to ask them to be quiet. It vaguely registered in his mind that those noises were produced by himself.
Feeling a strange need to get up, Jonas shot up from his previous lying position, his mind straining to remember what happened. Where….where was he?
Jonas glanced around himself, finding the foreign environment strangely comforting.
I am in a house. With lots of colors. Jonas realized. His mouth dropped open as the memories of the past months came rushing back. The sled. The hill. The house. The Giver. Gabe. Gabe! Where was Gabe? Was he alright? Jonas moaned, clutching his head in frustration.
"Whoa, there, are you alright?" A voice called good-naturedly. Jonas looked up to find a woman smiling at him. She looked to be in her thirties, her pale, petite body sporting colors that Jonas had never seen. She had dark red hair – like Fiona's, Jonas thought – that contrasted greatly with her bright blue eyes.
"…I'm fine. Where's Gabe? Is he alright?"
"Eh? Are you sure you're fine? You don't look fine." Her eyes flitted over him uncertainly. "How old are you anyway? Where did you come from? Who's Gabe? The baby?" At Jonas' nod, she continued, "Oh, he's fine. He's just sleeping. But more importantly," she paused, taking a deep breath, "Who are you and why did you pass out in front of my house?" Jonas decided to explain everything.
"…And that's why I'm here right now." He finished. The woman stared at him, surprise evident in her eyes.
"Wow… just…wow. What are you going to do now, Jonas?" She asked.
"Would you mind…if we stayed here?" He queried hesitantly.
"Of course; my name is Cassie, by the way." The woman - Cassie - smiled gently. Jonas smiled too, his future brighter than ever.
Jonas and Gabe stayed with Cassie. Cassie had lived alone, because she had lost her kids and husband in a car crash, so she was quite happy to have them there. Jonas and Gabe had taken over their roles, wanting – no, needing, - a family too. The makeshift family lived a long and happy life together, and over time, the scars from the past were healed. Jonas never heard from the community or the Giver again.
A:N/ So.... I hope you enjoyed, and if you didn't... sorry. R&R!
