Chapter 2

Five years have come and go and Gabriel have become of age where he should have been at Ceremony Of Fives. Jonas knew very well that there was a young girl who was still to be chosen as the new Receiver, but that was only one more year to go. All Jonas knew for himself was that it was good, since jobs were chosen only for the children of Twelves. Jonas's deep thoughts were interrupted when Gabriel said to him, "Something wrong, Jonas?"

Jonas turned around to Gabriel as he said, "Gabe, you can not speak of any kind of feelings when we get to a town. Especially not of love. When you're hungry when we get there, do not say that you are starved. You'll be punished for it." Jonas called, "Jenna! I need to ask a favor!"

Jenna rushed into the room as she asked, "What is it, Jonas?"

Jonas took a deep breath as he told her, "Can you pack Gabriel and me a huge sack of food that would last for couple of days? He and I are going off to our old town. Also, we need white clothes. Only because of the Sameness."

Jenna nodded and told him, "White clothes should be in the drawers. As for food, I'll go out and buy a lot for you right now. But, Jonas, are you sure about riding bike in the month of December? I heard it'll be snowing in two weeks."

Jonas nodded, saying, "Ceremonies of Ones, Twos, Threes, so on and so forth up to Twelves will be in three weeks, and I'm pretty sure Gabriel and I would make it in time. I rode in snow five years ago, didn't I?" Jenna nodded and left the room. Jonas took out his old white tunic that belonged to the Giver and put it on. He gave his old one to Gabriel, saying, "Put it on. It's for the Sameness of the town that we're going to." Gabriel did as he was told. The second Jenna had come back with two huge sacks of foods, Jonas attached a basket in front of his bike, helped Gabriel get on and they were once again set off to their old town.

It has been days since Jonas and Gabriel have been traveling and Jonas lost track of how many days it had been. The further and further they got away from the town they arrived at five years ago, the more Jonas remembered which road to use and where to go.

One night, they arrived just outside of their old town and Jonas quietly woke Gabriel up. Jonas and Gabriel headed for Anex as quietly as possible, hoping they won't get caught. One of the night guards patroling the streets spotted their shadow from far and stopped them immediately. When they were demanded for identification, Jonas sighed as he responded, "I am Jonas. I came back to see the Giver. Please don't tell the Elders that I am back and please don't tell my Family Unit. Lily, Mother and Father will be angered with me so much." Jonas looked slightly at Gabriel as he added, "This is Gabriel. He was the newborn that was supposed to be released five years ago."

The guard looked at him with shock on his face as he told him, "Then go, already! I'll just pretend I didn't see you, but I'll blame you if I'm in trouble!" He just ran off and pretended nothing was wrong.

Rest of the way to the Annex went quite easily. Jonas left his bike outside and told Gabriel to hide while he went inside and made sure he was out of sight. When he went inside, he knocked on the door of where the Giver's room used to be, hoping the Giver still used the same room. When the door opened, a tired, wary looking man with white hair and looks of old age came out, yelling, "What do you want?"

Jonas asked in trembling tone, "Giver? Is that you?"

The old man looked down at Jonas as he snapped, "Who are you? What do you want?"

Jonas took a deep breath as he told the Giver, "I'm not sure if you remember me, but it's me. Jonas." The man's eyes grew wide with terror and excitement.

The old man threw his arms around Jonas and hugged him tightly. The man told Jonas in a whisper, "Jonas! I missed you so much! Now the pain of having to be seperated from you is gone!" The old man - the Giver - drew back and took a closer look at Jonas, tears filled in his eyes.