Chapter 24
Jonas awoke in a world he did not know. He put his hand down beside him only to feel the soft skin that he recognized as Gabe's. He abruptly jumped up and looked around. Seeing the hill covered in snow Jonas began to realize where they were. They had reached Elsewhere.
Elsewhere was nothing like Jonas had imagined. It was different. It resembled the memories the Giver had transferred to him. It was colorful. Jonas found this intriguing.
He slightly shook Gabe to wake him up. As his eyes opened Jonas noticed something was different. Gabe eyes were no longer just pale; they were a mesmerizing shade of blue. Jonas quickly shook this off and took Gabe's hand, and began down a path in front of them.
On their right was the house decorated with Christmas lights. There was also snow surrounding this house. On their left was a beach that was warm and completely snow free. Jonas did not understand. How could there be two extremes only yards away from one another. And why did it look as though the path they were standing on would never stop?
As confused as Jonas was he decided to go over to the house. He had seen a family in the window so he decided to knock. The little sister opened the door. Jonas once again noticed the color of her eyes, they were… light green, not pale or even dark.
"Can I help you?" asked the girl.
"Yes, please. My name is Jonas and this is Gabe. We left our community and traveled for days, only to end up here. Would it be okay if we came in and warmed up?" Jonas responded.
"Well, I don't think my roommates would mind, so sure come on in. By the way my name is Rosemary." She answered.
Jonas's draw dropped. Rosemary was the Giver's daughter.
Jonas began questioning things. "Elsewhere?" Jonas asked himself. He had never really thought about what Elsewhere was, nor had he asked anyone. Was Elsewhere were people went when they were released? Was Elsewhere way, way, way back in a measurement called time? Was it a place where people go when their life in their community is over or they choose to leave? What was Elsewhere?
Jonas began to think that Elsewhere was all of that. In fact he knew it.