Hi All!
I was as eager for the end as you are, so I wrote this part pretty fast. I hope you like it. It sure was satisfying to write.
Now for some questions. Mainly, should I do a sequel? I'm thinking about it, but I'm not sure yet. Any suggestions would be just great!
I finally finished it, and I'm not sure to be happy or sad. I'm happy that it's done, but sad that it is at the same time. Confused yet?
Thanks for sticking with me. As a thank-you, I'm going to dedicate this story to Liz Skywalker, *~Amethyst~*, Daine, and Jenn. These people are great. And I want to give back something for sticking with me from the beginning. So thanks! This story is now in your names.
Thanks to all my other reviewers too, you're important too, but those named above have reviewed every chapter, and deserve it. So thanks also to Levee, Alex Foster, Rebeller, tammy, Emily, Pinto, Sara, LeatherChick, Maria, Luna, Euphoria, Speaker Ryoga, and anonymous.
As for the disclaimer, The Giver and everything within belong to Lois Lowry. However, Goren, Duke, Jake, Granny, Hunney, Eliza, and Jinkie belong to me, and if you wish to use them, and you're quite welcome to, just email me first, and give me some credit.
Wow! Long authors note.
Chapter Eight
It took a moment for Jonas to realize he wasn't dead, wasn't gone. But it was dark. So very dark, but there! Not ten feet from him, was light. But the darkness had spread, and was spreading still, moving faster. Total darkness. He heard people yelling. He heard Fiona yelling. He dragged himself to his feet. His arm hurt, and he thought he might have sprained his wrist.
Suddenly, he remembered the guard. He glanced around, blast it all, he couldn't see a thing. He reached in his pocket for the flashlight that had been in there since he'd left Goren's, it really didn't even qualify as a flashlight, more of a penlight. He turned it on, and a small tunnel of light flashed out. It didn't seem to partially combat the dark, but he wouldn't hit his head now.
He heard whimpering from a corner. He turned the light that way, there was the guard. He had his head in his hands, and looked more like a small child, than a grown man.
he called.
she answered. Jonas! Over here, back down the hall. All the guards are out cold. I don't know why.
He moved in the direction of her voice. Soon his light flashed over a person. Fiona, he knew.
Is Jinkie okay? he asked.
I'm fine, just a bit roughed up. What do you say we get out of here? Jinkie suggested.
Together, the three moved towards the staircase.
**********
Duke whirled, flashing his pocket knife. Whoa! It's only me, Jake. Calm down.
Duke relaxed. It was only his brother. C'mon, they'll need our help inside.
The two entered The House Of The Old, by the side door, the one closest to the administrative office.
As they walked down the hall they talked about each others adventures, to Duke this was just a game. Sure, a serious and important game, but a game none the less.
**********
Jake was worried about Duke. He hadn't been serious about any of this. He couldn't believe his twin's arrogance. This wasn't a game, not any of it, but Duke was acting like hey would wake up in their beds tomorrow, and none of this will have happened.
Jake swung in the door of the Admin. office, and pulled to a sudden halt. The Giver was being threatened by an adult!
So you see Receiver, Giver, whoever you are. Father! That's why I need to kill you. If I kill you, all of this will go away. The insane man yelled.
No! If you kill he, you will only unleash another wave of Memories! A larger one! The Giver protested.
I don't believer you . Never again. The man shouted.
The elders know this! Why did they send you? The Giver mused.
What makes you think they sent me? He yelled, and there was nothing louder Jake had ever heard.
Then, from behind him, he caught a flash of light, then Duke shot past him. It was almost to quick to see, then Duke's pocket knife was up to the hilt in the mans back.
***********
Duke stared at his hand. Was he insane? He'd just killed a man! He dropped the knife and sagged to his knees, and began to cry. Jake was behind his in a second,his hands supported his shoulders. This was too much. Too much. He had killed someone. He threw up.
Then the Giver was beside him as well.
Oh Duke. A child should never have to kill. It isn't in their nature. At least not a non-community raised child. The Giver tried to soothe him.
He was a monster, wasn't he? A monster!
**********
Asher couldn't stand it a moment longer! He was out of fireworks, and was doing no good here. He moved towards the building the housed the Generator. Then he stopped in his tracks. He stared ahead of him. A wave of blackness was upon him. He stumbled forward, Fiona and Jonas were in there somewhere, and he wasn't losing them, not again.
He couldn't see anything. He lit a match, the light that flowed from it seemed to pierce the darkness like the sun rays he'd seen in Memories. It held a symbol for him. They would win.
Then, he saw light ahead.
***********
Jonas felt slightly cold, and then, then dark was gone. It passed over them like the sun over a mountain in the morning.
Then, he saw it.
**********
Fiona stared, transfixed at the beautiful orb in the sky. The sun. She was seeing the sun. Then it vanished between clouds, he felt something touch her skin. Rain, she knew.
But then the sun came out again. Fiona was speechless as the rainbow stretched across the sky.
So many colors, so much better than the Memory. So much better.
Then the earth began to shake, she yelled, even as the ground dropped from beneath them.
**********
Goren walked toward the Admin. Office. As he entered, he slowly took in the sight of the body in the corner, Duke's pocket knife laying near it. He also saw The Giver and Jake huddled around Duke.
He quickly sized up the situation.
He walked over to Duke, and lifted him up by his arm.
Listen to me. It isn't your fault. He was threatening everything about you.
Slowly, Duke nodded that he understood. Goren felt the Giver's hand on his shoulder. Goren, there are more parties involved than we thought.
**********
Soon after, Granny joined them, and all they could do was wait and hope that the others would come back.
"Geese! Granny, Dad come over here, you have to see this! Jake yelled form the window.
They looked out the window to, to what? Nobody knew what it was. Only that it was pitch black, and getting closer.
**********
Jonas and Fiona only fell a few inches before their feet stuck the ground again, but this time, it was uneven.
Hey Jonas! I'm as tall as you are! Fiona joked, though they both knew they had done it. They had taken away the sameness.
Well Fiona. All I have to say is this. And Jonas kissed her.
It was then that Asher came out of the darkness.
**********
Asher felt betrayed. He didn't know why, Fiona had made no promises to him. All he could do was watch his two best friends kiss, and wonder where he'd gone wrong.
They parted. And he cleared his throat. They turned toward him as one. Totally together, and he knew he never had a chance. May as well make the best of it, he told himself. Crying won't make anything different. And, so the disappointed boy smiled.
We did it. We really did. All we have to do it wait for it to spread. Asher told them.
Jonas nodded.
Asher cut him off. I was furious with you inside for coming back and winning Fiona's heart. But I should have known I never had a chance with you too. I'm not mad anymore. I understand now.
Jonas walked over to his friends of many years, and hugged him. And wonder of wonder, Asher hugged him back. They were friends again.
**********
Fiona walked over to the newly revived friends. She took Jonas' hand and told him, Come on Jonas, Asher, let's go to the base. They should have been stuck by the dark already. It seems to be moving faster.
And so the three walked together through the rain, and under the rainbow.
**********
They ran outside, toward the dark. Were they mad? Goren thought they probably were.
Then, it was upon them. And just as quickly, it was gone.
I'm getting soaked! Duke shouted, and Goren smiled, he knew his son would never be the same, but he would recover. Of that he was now sure.
Granny shouted. And they did.
They saw a rainbow, underneath it were four people. Three behind, and one running ahead.
The Giver asked. Where are the others? What happened?
Watch out! The ground- Too late. The ground dropped from under all of them, but Jake, who shot up two inches.
I see what you mean! Jake shouted.
As they recovered from the shock, they looked at the other three people. They saw, linked hand in hand, Jonas, Fiona, and Asher. Together, they began to run, soon they were with the others.
Where is the rest of you team? The Giver asked slowly.
Fiona and Jonas looked at the ground, it was Jinkie who answered. They are only Memories now. I'm sorry.
**********
Later, Goren brought up the fact that he would soon be leaving. Then he asked the hundred-dollar question.
Who's coming with me? I'm going to adopt any of those who wish it.
You have to work hard! Duke told them.
It's worth it! Jake added.
Asher was the first to answer. I can't. There still is too much to be done here, I can't leave, as tempting as it may be.
Fiona looked at Jonas, then back at the Community. I can't leave either. I'm sorry Jonas. But I can't! This is my home, and I need to make it work.
Then I'm not going either. "Jonas surprised everyone by saying. I can't leave Fiona! Not after I've just found out how much she means to me! Take care of Gabe for me will you? He deserves it.
Of course we will. And we will be back. I promise you that. Granny told him, love in every part of her voice.
You are my son. And don't you ever forget that. Goren told him. Good-bye Jonas.
Bye-bye Goren!! New voices were heard from behind him, it was Bruno, and Phillipa.
Another reason to stay.
Then Jake stepped forward. Dad, I want to stay.
The words hit Goren in the stomach like a rock.
If that is what you want. What about Duke? Goren whispered.
I'm going with you Duke said. We aren't the same person. We know that now.
Then I can stay? Goren could hear the eagerness in his thirteen year old sons voice. He swallowed, and said yes.
And so, an hour later Goren, Granny, and Duke left on the horses. They had left the horse Jonas had rode, and Jake's gelding Trent, behind. Goren and Granny waved. Duke only tuned once, his eyes full of tears. He flicked his hand in a years old signal between the twins. Jake returned it. And Duke finally smiled. Then he didn't look back.
They rode off into the new sunset, and the ones left behind watched untilll they were out of sight.
They had a town to rebuild.
Epilogue
Eliza watched and waited outside, for hours, just like she had every day since they had left. But she could feel, in her hearth that today would be different.
Then, it happened, she heard a yell, and Duke burst into the field, followed by Granny, and finally Papa.
Eliza got up and began to run.
**********
-And Jake decided to stay behind. Goren had just finished telling the long tale of their adventures.
Hunney smiled at him.And here I thought we were going to gain new family members. And here we are with the same number we started out with. She hugged Gabe, who hugged her back. The two year old had begun to call her and it was the sweetest thing she had ever heard.
No. We have more, Three more sons, but no more daughters, somehow, I think we'll be related to Fiona a little later. Goren told her.
Hunney only smiled, and nodded.
**********
Fiona thought to herself, no matter how many times she saw the sun set, she didn't think it would stop amazing her. It was too beautiful, especially to one who had only seen a few in her lifetime. She wondered if Granny was looking into the same sunset. If Goren was.
She decided it didn't matter either way. It felt good to pretend.
Jonas draped his arm across her shoulders, and she never wanted to have to move. But she would. The very next time her Community needed her. But right now, she just wanted to watch the sunset next to Jonas.
And she decided it was good.