Alternate Ending
Jonas knew he wouldn't make it. He knew that he had underestimated the power that lay outside his community; he knew that he wasn't going to survive this treacherous journey. But, in no sense did that mean the Gabriel wouldn't make it. Jonas possessed, with every fiber of his being, an overwhelming ambition to save his baby brother. He figured that it didn't matter about himself anymore. Jonas had lived things no one else had experienced, Jonas had seen things no one else's eyes had ever set upon, and Jonas had done things that no one would do in their wildest dreams. And now, Jonas thought he's lived enough. He thought he'd lived much more that he could take. It was just to hard to cope, and the memories had come too fast for his body and soul to catch up with his racing mind. So he knew that "release," or "death", he now knew, seemed better, and more welcoming now than it had ever been before. How easy it would be to just lie here and let his spirit float away. But no, he thought, taking another step through the knee deep snow. No, he had to save his brother.
So, he clutched Gabriel closer to his body, determined to keep the delicate boy warm.
Gabriel had gone from whining, to crying, to screaming, and now he was just silent. It was this silence that scared Jonas more than anything else - it meant Gabe was getting weaker. And so was Jonas, he was shivering more and more every minute, and he could literally feel the heat leaving his body in waves of chill.
Soon enough, Jonas came to a bridge. He knew it was a bridge because of the two walls on either side, roughened with rocks and sanded down by the wind. Jonas now knew that he was nearing Elsewhere. He neared the edge, and as soon as his feet dusted the edge of the bridge, he felt warmer. He recognized the familiar warmness of sunshine gently caressing his back. He curiously took another step, forcing himself. He was so hungry, and so, so weak. The snow was thinning now; it didn't even stick to the ground. He opened his eyes a couple more millimeters and found that the intense pinprick stinging was no longer there. Gabe had stopped his restless crying, and was making cute cooing noises as he cuddled in Jonas's arms. Jonas closed his eyes, and almost forgot how to open them. His breathing was ragged, and he couldn't feel most of his limbs.
Just as he dropped to his knees in the unbearable anguish, he felt the slightest pressure on his shoulder.
"Jonas…" came a whisper as light and as beautiful as water cascading.
He forced his eyes open and saw a figure with long golden hair standing next to him, her white dress floating in the wind.
"Rosemary?" Asked Jonas, confused.
"Hello, Jonas. You were so brave to come this far." She said, as she gently pulled Gabriel out of Jonas's aching arms. "I'll take good care of him. He's safe now," She assured him, as Gabe nuzzled himself against her.
Her footsteps were whispers on the wind as she danced away from him in the sunlight, Gabriel's voice still making those soft baby voices.
Everything was right. His community now had a wonderful life full of color and love, The Giver knew he had said goodbye, and now Gabriel was safe with a mother to care for him always. And he, Jonas, didn't feel the hunger, pain and coldness anymore.
Jonas sighed contentedly, and lay down in the soft, warm summer grass, bathing in this perfect moment of utter calmness. As his eyelids gently fluttered closed, he felt more comfortable and safer than he had been in several years.