The Alternative Path
Summery: What could have happened if Jonas revealed a secret to keep Gabriel alive instead of running.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Giver.
Author's Notes: When I first read The Giver this is what I thought would happen. I was a little disappointed it didn't.
Jonas stared in shock at his father. "Released?" his voice cracked. "You can't!" Jonas said urgently.
"It is not up to you Jonas. We all agreed that it was for the best." His father seemed to realize something. " Lily, it is time for you to got to bed,".
Lily, saw that her brother upset, and made no protest and went off to bed. His father looked at Jonas seriously " I take it that you have learned about the ceremony of release. I understand why you could be upset. But you are young, one day you will understand why we must do it,"
Jonas glared hard at his father. "I understand more things than you will ever know," then a thought came to him. "If you don't want a repeat of ten years ago you will not release Gabriel,".
His father gave him a confused look. "But you are not allowed to apply for release, Jonas."
"I wasn't talking about me. I was talking about Gabriel. I have given him memories,". The silence that followed was thick and heavy. His mother who had been listening to their conversation, stared at Jonas with her mouth hanging opened. "Wha... Why?" his father finally asked.
"I was not aware I was giving Gabe. But I did. I could not tell you, because talking about my training is against the rules. I am shouldn't be telling you this but I can't let you release Gabriel,".
"You are right to tell this to us before we made that mistake, Jonas. But you are wrong to have given him the memories at all. No wonder he has been so fussy at night. He must be traumatized. No one that young should have to deal with such pain,". Jonas was about to tell her that he never gave Gabe a memory of pain but stopped himself. If it saved Gabe's life, he would let his mother think what she wanted. His mother worked for the department of justice. So she knew that no punishment can ever be given to the Receiver of Memories. He would take the blame for this crime if it meant Gabe was going to live. His mother looked over at his father. "You must go and tell the Elders what has happened,".
The next day Jonas sat in front of the council of Elders. They looked very unhappy. As they all stared at him, Jonas went over what he was going to say. He would not lie but he wasn't going to tell them the whole truth either.
"This a grievous crime Jonas. If you were not the Receiver of Memories you would have been released. As you are unable to be punished in that way you will be punished in another. Once we think of a suitable punishment." The Chief Elder finished lamely.
"I would like to defend myself," Jonas paused as the Chief Elder nodded her head. "I was not aware of what I was doing when I gave the new child those memories. I am not aloud to explain the process of giving memories so I will not. When I realized what I was doing I tried to get them back but could not. I was too ashamed to tell anyone about it. And when I heard what happen after the last Receiver of Memories, I was too worried about what would happen to the community if I somehow drowned or had an accident. I did not even think of the new child until I heard he would be released. I did not want the community to go through anything, like what happened ten years ago, again. I am sorry that I did not say anything sooner,". Jonas was pleased with his performance. All of the elders looked sympathetic. Jonas looked at the Giver, he looked proud.