Chapter 2: The great sanctuary
We are heading towards the gates to the great sanctuary. It took us all day to get here but we are all happy that we are finally able to rest. The gates were inches away and the leader of our clan was signaling the guards.
"Hey, you have some travelers at your gates."
It took a while then a man walked down the gate to greet us.
"Hi, welcome to the great sanctuary, when you enter this gate we will have to search you for listening devices and cameras so don't be alarmed."
"Okay," The leader yelled back at the man who was at the top of the gate wielding some kind of weapon.
The gate is slowing opening I can hardly wait. I walked with my clan in the gates and through and series of arches. Then we hit the last one, it beeped and they grabbed Toby. I can't believe he was a Listener. Though that would explain the coming of the jets, he was their human tracking device. I guess this goes to show, you can never really trust anyone unless it has been proven that you can.
We are now standing in a building, waiting to be escorted to our sleeping quarters for the night. Most of the travelers that got through here only stayed for a day or two just to rest before they set off for the civilization of the free, up just 100 miles from the gates.
"Hello gentlemen I will be your escort around town let me show you to your quarters," A woman with a crisp white uniform and clipboard chimed.
Now that we have an escort we are going outside to the town to enter the speed train that takes travelers to their buildings according to how long they were going to stay.
"Now gentlemen if you would enter the train we will be heading to your building."
Gabriel was feasting his eyes, upon the shiny metal train with soft plush seating and the luminescent lights on the ceiling.
"What the." I whispered to myself as I saw everything colorless for a second.
I shook my head and my site turned back to normal. Was it possible, was I really starting to get some of the memories back? That could only mean that the Giver was trying to channel me, or contact me in some way, but what was he trying to say.
"We're here, welcome to your home for the night," The woman said as we all stepped off the train.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jonas, Jonas."
I turn to see who is calling me. The gray haired Giver is facing me with a look of despair.
"What is it Giver, why have you come to me."
"Jonas listen there is great tragedy to come in the communities."
"Why should I care? The murders and hypocrites should experience some real emotions for once."
"No, Jonas listen I am getting something I have never gotten before, I am getting a foresight and there is great pain and suffering for the communities to come. But strangely enough I see you also in these visions. What are you planning Jonas?"
"Nothing Giver, nothing at all." I turn my back and walk into the light.
I awoke up in a cold sweat. My chest heaving to catch extra oxygen with my growing astonishment. How did the Giver know what I am planning and how did he contact me. Gabe was in the bed next to mine sound asleep. What the Giver doesn't know is that I am determined to bring freedom to the world and not just cause great pain. And from now on sleep is the only thing that will defeat me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So everyone how did you sleep," The Leader boomed as we all exited out of rooms, with fresh clothes, haircuts, socks, and new shoes.
"I slept like a rock," One man proclaimed in as we headed to the breakfast hall.
I kept quiet; I just can't keep the memories of who had come to me in the night. I am trying my best to hide my shock. But the puzzled looked on my faced says it all.
"Jonas, why are frowning," Gabe said in his soft childish voice.
"I'm just thinking, that's all," I said my face softening as I saw his light blue eyes staring back at me.
I continued to eat I wasn't sure or not if we were leaving today so I ate my fill.
"Okay guys, we are going to leave today, and they are going to give up all packs of food and extra clothing, so don't worry about eating a lot here."
I watched Gabe for a few minutes then finished my plate. Gabe is growing up just fine. He's pretty tall for his age but such abnormalities are to be celebrated especially coming from the culture I did. Every now and then I would teach Gabe some letters and things like that. I wanted him to be educated. I wanted to at least teach him to read so when he was older he can read about the struggle that got him to freedom. And maybe someday he'll read in a history book how Jonas, wait, I don't have a last name. Well I guess now that I have to think about it, I will call myself Jonas Liberty. I guess it seems to fit what I am about and what I want to accomplish in this life.
I sat there thinking about my plans then walked down to the building where they give you your gear bags. Some of the other guys that had been with us were there also. For some reason I had a bad feeling about Toby; had he figured out my motives. I hope he hadn't it will create a lot challenges along the way.
"Okay Jonas, you are 15 years and you will be caring for another boy of 3 years, am I correct?"
"Correct."
I was astonished I was 15; I didn't even how old I was. Life had all kinds of surprises when you had been lied to most of it.
"Now do you want me to make a pack for you, or do you want me to make two separate packs; one small for the infant to carry and bigger for you to carry?"
"I'd like one pack for me. By the way how did you know how old I am?"
"Well remember when you walked through those arches?"
"Yes."
"It analyzed your body make-up and concluded that you are 15 years of age."
"Hmm."
I walked down the line and grabbed my pack and walked out of the door where the other men were standing and socializing. I stood there, looking around. This was definitely a change. Me, planning war on a whole society, moving to a totally different way of life; I guess after this there will be no more nomadic lifestyle. What I have learned throughout my life doesn't even compare to what I have learned and felt in these last few years. The Giver better foresee the great pain and horror those so called elders will feel so they won't be so surprised. If I die doing it, I will destroy the communities.
"Okay guys, time to start off, do we have everyone."
Everyone looked around to count. We all yelled out in unison that everyone was accounted for. Then we set off to the last place that we will ever have to go.
We are heading towards the gates to the great sanctuary. It took us all day to get here but we are all happy that we are finally able to rest. The gates were inches away and the leader of our clan was signaling the guards.
"Hey, you have some travelers at your gates."
It took a while then a man walked down the gate to greet us.
"Hi, welcome to the great sanctuary, when you enter this gate we will have to search you for listening devices and cameras so don't be alarmed."
"Okay," The leader yelled back at the man who was at the top of the gate wielding some kind of weapon.
The gate is slowing opening I can hardly wait. I walked with my clan in the gates and through and series of arches. Then we hit the last one, it beeped and they grabbed Toby. I can't believe he was a Listener. Though that would explain the coming of the jets, he was their human tracking device. I guess this goes to show, you can never really trust anyone unless it has been proven that you can.
We are now standing in a building, waiting to be escorted to our sleeping quarters for the night. Most of the travelers that got through here only stayed for a day or two just to rest before they set off for the civilization of the free, up just 100 miles from the gates.
"Hello gentlemen I will be your escort around town let me show you to your quarters," A woman with a crisp white uniform and clipboard chimed.
Now that we have an escort we are going outside to the town to enter the speed train that takes travelers to their buildings according to how long they were going to stay.
"Now gentlemen if you would enter the train we will be heading to your building."
Gabriel was feasting his eyes, upon the shiny metal train with soft plush seating and the luminescent lights on the ceiling.
"What the." I whispered to myself as I saw everything colorless for a second.
I shook my head and my site turned back to normal. Was it possible, was I really starting to get some of the memories back? That could only mean that the Giver was trying to channel me, or contact me in some way, but what was he trying to say.
"We're here, welcome to your home for the night," The woman said as we all stepped off the train.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jonas, Jonas."
I turn to see who is calling me. The gray haired Giver is facing me with a look of despair.
"What is it Giver, why have you come to me."
"Jonas listen there is great tragedy to come in the communities."
"Why should I care? The murders and hypocrites should experience some real emotions for once."
"No, Jonas listen I am getting something I have never gotten before, I am getting a foresight and there is great pain and suffering for the communities to come. But strangely enough I see you also in these visions. What are you planning Jonas?"
"Nothing Giver, nothing at all." I turn my back and walk into the light.
I awoke up in a cold sweat. My chest heaving to catch extra oxygen with my growing astonishment. How did the Giver know what I am planning and how did he contact me. Gabe was in the bed next to mine sound asleep. What the Giver doesn't know is that I am determined to bring freedom to the world and not just cause great pain. And from now on sleep is the only thing that will defeat me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So everyone how did you sleep," The Leader boomed as we all exited out of rooms, with fresh clothes, haircuts, socks, and new shoes.
"I slept like a rock," One man proclaimed in as we headed to the breakfast hall.
I kept quiet; I just can't keep the memories of who had come to me in the night. I am trying my best to hide my shock. But the puzzled looked on my faced says it all.
"Jonas, why are frowning," Gabe said in his soft childish voice.
"I'm just thinking, that's all," I said my face softening as I saw his light blue eyes staring back at me.
I continued to eat I wasn't sure or not if we were leaving today so I ate my fill.
"Okay guys, we are going to leave today, and they are going to give up all packs of food and extra clothing, so don't worry about eating a lot here."
I watched Gabe for a few minutes then finished my plate. Gabe is growing up just fine. He's pretty tall for his age but such abnormalities are to be celebrated especially coming from the culture I did. Every now and then I would teach Gabe some letters and things like that. I wanted him to be educated. I wanted to at least teach him to read so when he was older he can read about the struggle that got him to freedom. And maybe someday he'll read in a history book how Jonas, wait, I don't have a last name. Well I guess now that I have to think about it, I will call myself Jonas Liberty. I guess it seems to fit what I am about and what I want to accomplish in this life.
I sat there thinking about my plans then walked down to the building where they give you your gear bags. Some of the other guys that had been with us were there also. For some reason I had a bad feeling about Toby; had he figured out my motives. I hope he hadn't it will create a lot challenges along the way.
"Okay Jonas, you are 15 years and you will be caring for another boy of 3 years, am I correct?"
"Correct."
I was astonished I was 15; I didn't even how old I was. Life had all kinds of surprises when you had been lied to most of it.
"Now do you want me to make a pack for you, or do you want me to make two separate packs; one small for the infant to carry and bigger for you to carry?"
"I'd like one pack for me. By the way how did you know how old I am?"
"Well remember when you walked through those arches?"
"Yes."
"It analyzed your body make-up and concluded that you are 15 years of age."
"Hmm."
I walked down the line and grabbed my pack and walked out of the door where the other men were standing and socializing. I stood there, looking around. This was definitely a change. Me, planning war on a whole society, moving to a totally different way of life; I guess after this there will be no more nomadic lifestyle. What I have learned throughout my life doesn't even compare to what I have learned and felt in these last few years. The Giver better foresee the great pain and horror those so called elders will feel so they won't be so surprised. If I die doing it, I will destroy the communities.
"Okay guys, time to start off, do we have everyone."
Everyone looked around to count. We all yelled out in unison that everyone was accounted for. Then we set off to the last place that we will ever have to go.