Chapter 3



The doctor took her vital statics.

"Have you been sleeping properly?" he asked. "Your body is showing signs of exaustion." Lily thought of the war dreams. It was true that she was not getting enough sleep, and she wasn't about to tell him about the death of the baby.

"I've been excited," she lied. "I'm supposed to get my life partener today. I've been excited for over a week now, and haven't been sleeping well since then, maybe longer."

"Hmmmm. Well, we'll have to change that. It disrupts everything terribly when someone collapses." He handed her a bottle of pale pills. "Take one pilll every night before you go to bed for the next week. I want you to only work every other day until these pills are done. I will contact administration for you."

"Thank you, doctor."

"Not a problem. Return here in one week, and we'll seee how you are then."

"As you wish, doctor," she replied.

Lily did not go to her new home, though she knew where it was. She had something more pressing to do first. She headed to the old Reciever's place behind the house of the Old. The new Reciever was just leaving as Lily entered.

The Old Reciever smiled when he recognized her.

"Lily, come in!" he turned to his receptionist. "Hold all visitors, Tess."

"Yes, Reciever," the woman replied.

Lily looked around in awe. She heard the Reciever lock his door, and watched him turn off his speaker. She was startled to see how old the Reciever now seemed.

"What can I do for you, Lily?" he asked, motioning for her to sit.

"I know what Release is," she bluttered. Alarm creased the old man's face.

"How?"

Lily broke down into tears at that moment, feeling ashamed. She told him everything, about Jonas and his nightly visits, about her memories of war, of the dead boy. She told him about her frustration at lying, her anger at the senseless deaths of the children and old alike.

The old man wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, dear girl. This is a horrible secret to bear."

"I don't think I can bear it!" she replied angrily.

"That's what Jonas thought too," the Reciever said softly. Lily looked up at him, though she knew it was rude.

"That's why he ran away? To save Gabe from being Released?"

"Yes, Lily, dear girl." Lily was suddenly very proud of her brother. She had always wondered why he would have gone into the river with Gabe, but now it made sense. He was trying to save the little boy's life!"

A plan began to form in Lily's mind. The old man frowned, seeing her face.

"Lily, no, don't try it. They'll come after you! Just like they went after your brother."

"They never thought he was lost, did they?"

"No. His bycicle was never found. But, Lily, it was winter. You know what winter is, don't you?" Lily nodded, so the old man continued. "I don't think he lived."

"Then how did he give me his memories?" she asked. The old man sighed.

"I don't know, Lily."

Lily thought it over. Jonas had run away in th winter, but that lasted from November to . . . March? Yes that was it, it lasted to March. But it was May now, and it would be getting warmer all the time, if her memories were correct. She smiled at the old man.

"Thank you, Reciever. If you should ever see little Jonas, tell him I love him, will you?"

"You don't think love is a useless emotion?"

"No, Reciever. And I've never taken my pill either. Something that wasn't good enough for my big brother's not good enough for me." The Reciever smiled.

"He underestimated you, Lily. I will give little Jonas your love, if you give big Jonas mine." He looked up sadly. "I loved him Lily, just as he love Gabe, and you."

"I'm starting to see it now, Reciever. Thank you. Have a good life."