This takes place two days after Jonas has left the community
It was like any other day of saneness; Fiona was riding her bicycle home. Only this time there was no Jonas to ride beside her and keep her company. Out of nowhere she fell to the ground landing on the grass with her bicycle party on her legs. She closed her eyes realizing it was another memory.
This one was different; it was not painful in any way; physically or emotionally. IT felt peaceful; like the gap in her life was now filled, but at the same time it made her lonely to think that she did not have it nor could she ever have that memory to keep and say she herself experienced it. The memory was love, not the love you feel for a family member or friend, but the kind of love you feel for that one person. That one special person that she could only dream of and imagine. In her world that such person could not exist. It was not her option, but yet she wanted so badly to have it. To have it just as Jonas longed for the option to wear red or blue, or to have grandparents. She simply wanted her friend Jonas to be back in the community.
With a long sigh Fiona reached for the ground and pushed herself up. She grabbed her bicycle, which has toppled on her when she fell. She no longer wanted to go home with her new memory. How would she explain it to her parents during the Sharing of Feelings? Fiona turned her bicycle around and headed towards the House of the Old. She did not stop there, but kept going until she reached the Annex building; as building she had never entered.
She ran through the doors, they were no longer locked because the elders agreed that id Jonas returned he go there. There was no one sitting at the desk in the small room. Fiona noticed the door to the left and opened it. She found the Receiver or Memory, not Jonas, but his teacher, the one he called Giver.
"Please forgive me Receiver of Memory, I did not mean to rudely run in here, but I need help."
"It's alright Fiona, I forgive you, please, tell me what is it that you need help with?"
She felt so strange in the room with the Receiver of Memory. The red head looked around with amazement and saw the many books that encircled the walls and the finely decorated furniture.
Fiona Explained, "On my way home, I experienced a memory. I cannot describe it. I just feel cheated, like I can not have what I saw in the memory and I want it so badly." She paused to regain her thoughts as t why she was even there. "What was the memory? What is it called?"
"Love" The Giver remembered back to when Jonas received his first memory of love. "Jonas, your friend who disappeared, reacted the same way when he received that memory."
"I received the same memory Jonas once received?" Fiona exclaimed with surprise and happiness. "Why does that memory make me feel so happy and peaceful and yet so empty?"
"It is simply because you feel love in you life, but you know that you can not have it because love is so strong and never shown in the community."
"It's wrong! It's really wrong! Why can't we have real emotion? It's not fair!" Fiona jumped to her feet and made a fist. She was showing true emotion. "Do you know why Jonas left the community?"
"Yes, I do, but I do not think you can understand it right now."
"Please, will you tell me? I want to understand." Fiona's soft voice and sweet face reminded the Giver of Rosemary. He knew she wanted to know the truth, bit she would not be able to understand and undertake the pain it may bring.
"Jonas left in search of Elsewhere. He wanted to find love and freedom of choice. Jonas saw the release of a newborn and it angered him to know that his father lied to him. His father killed a baby."
"So he just left with the baby his family was taking care of at night? Is he coming back? Is there anyway to contact him?" Fiona was full of questions concerning Jonas.
The Giver looked at her without emotion on his face. "The only way to contact him would be to go after him."
Fiona's eyes widened with excitement as the though of seeing Jonas again entered her mind. She decided that she must leave the community to find him; but how would she ever make it? Fiona had no knowledge of elsewhere and what might be out there. The only aid she has was her bicycle and the tiny memories that she recently gained.
The Giver could see what she was contriving in her head by the look of content and wonder upon her face as she stared into oblivion. He warned her that departing form the community was dangerous. The young girl could be caught and severely chastised for her rebellious actions. But Fiona has to see Jonas. She knew how it felt to truly miss someone.
"Please, Fiona, I warn you, it is way too dangerous for you or anyone to leave." The Giver tried to explain the negative aspects of leaving to the red heard girl, but she would not hear it.
"It was not too dangerous for Jonas!" Fiona spoke in an angered voice.
"This is different, Jonas had memories and wisdom to help him escape. You do not have he knowledge of elsewhere that is needed to survive the journey."
"Can you help me escape? I do not want to be here anymore. It seems like I've been lied to and deceived all my life. Like I have been deprived of so many things. I rather die fighting to escape than stay here and live this like with no real emotion and feeling."
"I can only give you advice; be careful, use your food sparingly, travel by night, and the most important thing to remember: if you do leave, you can never return."
"Never return?" Fiona questioned. "You mean if I get lost or I find Jonas I will never be able to return? Even with Jonas?"
"Yes, Fiona." The Giver sat in his chair in a reclined position awaiting any more questions the young red head may have.
"Thank you for answering my questions. I can not promise that I will not leave, but please, do not tell anyone that I spoke to you." Fiona looked at the Giver with great fear that he may not be able to keep her promise.
"Do not worry, I will not tell anyone that you have came to me."
With all that said, Fiona left the Annex building and went home. He leg was now bruised where the bicycle has hit it when she fell. Fiona thought about her future days in the community. The December Ceremony was approaching soon. All she could think about was the amazing memory she received. What could she do about it? It is not like she could ever have love. The Giver was right; love is not something of much acceptance in the community. How hard could escapement be? Jonas did it, but he had training. To Fiona it seemed almost pointless to even consider leaving. There was still that spark, that fire, maybe it was love, something in her just told her it was what she needed to do; to leave the community and find Jonas. But why? Why did she all of a sudden what to find Jonas?
**********
It was now clear to Fiona, she had to leave. She awoke in the night after having a horrid dream. She dreamt that she was being chastised for the memories she was receiving. Fiona thought to herself 'If I say here my dream may become reality. If it becomes reality I may be released, released to death. I have to leave. I am going to find Jonas.'
In a hurry, Fiona gathered the things she need and slipped out a window in her house. She brought with her, a blanket and extra clothing. She found some food that the night crew had not yet picked up. She grabbed as much as she could and wrapped it in a shirt. She placed it in the basket of her bicycle along with the blanket. Fiona quietly pulled out her bicycle and hopped on. Very carefully she rode to the river. It was dark; Fiona has only been out in the dark a few times. It was not a common thing in the community to be out after dark.
There it was, the bridge. The bridge that led to Elsewhere. All she had to do was ride over it and the journey to find Jonas would begin. Fiona stared at it for several moments contemplating her risky decision. Was she making the right choice? Would she ever find Jonas Dozens of questions soared through her tired mind. She pushed the bicycle forward moving it across the bridge; More and more until she was on the other side. The side where Jonas was. Sameness would no longer be part of her life, but a memory of what used to be.
Peddling at a steady pace Fiona realized she was really doing it; she was running away; escaping sameness to find freedom; to find Jonas. Fiona tried to recall the important things The Giver stressed to her. Travel by night, that is what she was doing. She decided to only eat when she would rest for sleep and awake to begin another night of travel. She couldn't not help but wonder how long the journey would last. Would it be day, weeks, or even months? What obstacles would lay in front her?
Hours passed and it was still dark. Fiona knew she had to keep going even though her body was exhausted. Time was very important; the more time spent traveling; the sooner she would get to Jonas. Day light was rapidly approaching and making all the surrounds visible. She could not see all the formations of the trees and shrubbery along side the road. Fiona found a well-hidden spot under a massive tree where she could not be easily seen by anyone passing by.
Fiona pulled the blanket and package of food from her basket and set them under the tree and placed the bicycle on its side to prevent it from being seen. She unfolded the blanket and wrapped herself in it then fell into the sweet slumber under the tall pine tree.
Quickly the hours of daylight passed while Fiona slept under the tree. She awoke to the unfamiliar chirp of the birds above in the trees and flying gracefully though the sky. She reached for the package of food she managed to take from the community. It was not very much, but it cured her hunger. It was not quite dark yet when she woke. She sat up against the tree for support. Fiona made out a plan for her days in the foreign terrain. She would travel during the dark and rest during the daylight. It seemed so simple, but the struggle of hunger and aching muscles from hours of riding would make it very difficult. She kept on thinking 'I made it out of the community and one night all on my own, I know I can make it all the way.'
Darkness fell upon Fiona and the land surrounding her. She could see in a nearby community that people were scurrying about to get home. Fiona was glad to be away from the community; now she did not have any rules to follow or emotionless apologies to make. The night crews in the community were gone; it was time to continue her journey.
Fiona gathered her blanket and left over food, placed them in the basket, then peddled away into the night.
**********
It had been days, maybe weeks since Fiona left. The paved roads became rugged and hard to travel over. Trees and wildlife became more frequent. Now she could travel during the day without fear of being seen. Occasionally she called Jonas's name in a loud screeching voice. Soon she could feel a change in the air. It was cold and made her tiny body feel numb. 'It can not be much farther,' Fiona thought as she wrapped her arms around her body for ore warmth.
Her loud outbursts to Jonas became more numerous' in a way it sounded like music' though she did not have knowledge of it. In the far distance she could see a huge hill covered with a white blanket of coldness. Perhaps she could see Jonas from the top of the massive hill. As she reached closer to the hill her bicycle became immobile. It remained pasted in the snow. She grabbed her blanket and wrapped it tightly around her upper body, then left her bicycle in the snow.
"Jonas . . . Jonas . . .are you out there?" Fiona's voice became more faint with every shout she made. She hoped that Jonas could hear her.
The trip up the hill was anything but easy. The atmosphere was becoming colder and colder, then the wind blew against her body. Snow was everywhere; be hind her, in front, to the left, and to the right. Only about fifty more feet to go and she could see over the hill. Fiona tucked her head down to warm her ears and nose, but nothing helped. She had to keep on walking. Finally, there it was the top. Now she could see the bottom of the hill. There were lights everywhere and sweet sounds mixed together with flowing words. It reminded her of the cries she called out to Jonas. Is there any way he could be in one of decorated houses? She had to find out.
In a hurry Fiona raced down the hill. It seemed like nothing could stop her, not even the numbness of her body. As she reached the bottom her foot got caught on a rock and she fell to the ground hitting her head on another rock. Her body lied motionless and froze in the snow.
It was like any other day of saneness; Fiona was riding her bicycle home. Only this time there was no Jonas to ride beside her and keep her company. Out of nowhere she fell to the ground landing on the grass with her bicycle party on her legs. She closed her eyes realizing it was another memory.
This one was different; it was not painful in any way; physically or emotionally. IT felt peaceful; like the gap in her life was now filled, but at the same time it made her lonely to think that she did not have it nor could she ever have that memory to keep and say she herself experienced it. The memory was love, not the love you feel for a family member or friend, but the kind of love you feel for that one person. That one special person that she could only dream of and imagine. In her world that such person could not exist. It was not her option, but yet she wanted so badly to have it. To have it just as Jonas longed for the option to wear red or blue, or to have grandparents. She simply wanted her friend Jonas to be back in the community.
With a long sigh Fiona reached for the ground and pushed herself up. She grabbed her bicycle, which has toppled on her when she fell. She no longer wanted to go home with her new memory. How would she explain it to her parents during the Sharing of Feelings? Fiona turned her bicycle around and headed towards the House of the Old. She did not stop there, but kept going until she reached the Annex building; as building she had never entered.
She ran through the doors, they were no longer locked because the elders agreed that id Jonas returned he go there. There was no one sitting at the desk in the small room. Fiona noticed the door to the left and opened it. She found the Receiver or Memory, not Jonas, but his teacher, the one he called Giver.
"Please forgive me Receiver of Memory, I did not mean to rudely run in here, but I need help."
"It's alright Fiona, I forgive you, please, tell me what is it that you need help with?"
She felt so strange in the room with the Receiver of Memory. The red head looked around with amazement and saw the many books that encircled the walls and the finely decorated furniture.
Fiona Explained, "On my way home, I experienced a memory. I cannot describe it. I just feel cheated, like I can not have what I saw in the memory and I want it so badly." She paused to regain her thoughts as t why she was even there. "What was the memory? What is it called?"
"Love" The Giver remembered back to when Jonas received his first memory of love. "Jonas, your friend who disappeared, reacted the same way when he received that memory."
"I received the same memory Jonas once received?" Fiona exclaimed with surprise and happiness. "Why does that memory make me feel so happy and peaceful and yet so empty?"
"It is simply because you feel love in you life, but you know that you can not have it because love is so strong and never shown in the community."
"It's wrong! It's really wrong! Why can't we have real emotion? It's not fair!" Fiona jumped to her feet and made a fist. She was showing true emotion. "Do you know why Jonas left the community?"
"Yes, I do, but I do not think you can understand it right now."
"Please, will you tell me? I want to understand." Fiona's soft voice and sweet face reminded the Giver of Rosemary. He knew she wanted to know the truth, bit she would not be able to understand and undertake the pain it may bring.
"Jonas left in search of Elsewhere. He wanted to find love and freedom of choice. Jonas saw the release of a newborn and it angered him to know that his father lied to him. His father killed a baby."
"So he just left with the baby his family was taking care of at night? Is he coming back? Is there anyway to contact him?" Fiona was full of questions concerning Jonas.
The Giver looked at her without emotion on his face. "The only way to contact him would be to go after him."
Fiona's eyes widened with excitement as the though of seeing Jonas again entered her mind. She decided that she must leave the community to find him; but how would she ever make it? Fiona had no knowledge of elsewhere and what might be out there. The only aid she has was her bicycle and the tiny memories that she recently gained.
The Giver could see what she was contriving in her head by the look of content and wonder upon her face as she stared into oblivion. He warned her that departing form the community was dangerous. The young girl could be caught and severely chastised for her rebellious actions. But Fiona has to see Jonas. She knew how it felt to truly miss someone.
"Please, Fiona, I warn you, it is way too dangerous for you or anyone to leave." The Giver tried to explain the negative aspects of leaving to the red heard girl, but she would not hear it.
"It was not too dangerous for Jonas!" Fiona spoke in an angered voice.
"This is different, Jonas had memories and wisdom to help him escape. You do not have he knowledge of elsewhere that is needed to survive the journey."
"Can you help me escape? I do not want to be here anymore. It seems like I've been lied to and deceived all my life. Like I have been deprived of so many things. I rather die fighting to escape than stay here and live this like with no real emotion and feeling."
"I can only give you advice; be careful, use your food sparingly, travel by night, and the most important thing to remember: if you do leave, you can never return."
"Never return?" Fiona questioned. "You mean if I get lost or I find Jonas I will never be able to return? Even with Jonas?"
"Yes, Fiona." The Giver sat in his chair in a reclined position awaiting any more questions the young red head may have.
"Thank you for answering my questions. I can not promise that I will not leave, but please, do not tell anyone that I spoke to you." Fiona looked at the Giver with great fear that he may not be able to keep her promise.
"Do not worry, I will not tell anyone that you have came to me."
With all that said, Fiona left the Annex building and went home. He leg was now bruised where the bicycle has hit it when she fell. Fiona thought about her future days in the community. The December Ceremony was approaching soon. All she could think about was the amazing memory she received. What could she do about it? It is not like she could ever have love. The Giver was right; love is not something of much acceptance in the community. How hard could escapement be? Jonas did it, but he had training. To Fiona it seemed almost pointless to even consider leaving. There was still that spark, that fire, maybe it was love, something in her just told her it was what she needed to do; to leave the community and find Jonas. But why? Why did she all of a sudden what to find Jonas?
**********
It was now clear to Fiona, she had to leave. She awoke in the night after having a horrid dream. She dreamt that she was being chastised for the memories she was receiving. Fiona thought to herself 'If I say here my dream may become reality. If it becomes reality I may be released, released to death. I have to leave. I am going to find Jonas.'
In a hurry, Fiona gathered the things she need and slipped out a window in her house. She brought with her, a blanket and extra clothing. She found some food that the night crew had not yet picked up. She grabbed as much as she could and wrapped it in a shirt. She placed it in the basket of her bicycle along with the blanket. Fiona quietly pulled out her bicycle and hopped on. Very carefully she rode to the river. It was dark; Fiona has only been out in the dark a few times. It was not a common thing in the community to be out after dark.
There it was, the bridge. The bridge that led to Elsewhere. All she had to do was ride over it and the journey to find Jonas would begin. Fiona stared at it for several moments contemplating her risky decision. Was she making the right choice? Would she ever find Jonas Dozens of questions soared through her tired mind. She pushed the bicycle forward moving it across the bridge; More and more until she was on the other side. The side where Jonas was. Sameness would no longer be part of her life, but a memory of what used to be.
Peddling at a steady pace Fiona realized she was really doing it; she was running away; escaping sameness to find freedom; to find Jonas. Fiona tried to recall the important things The Giver stressed to her. Travel by night, that is what she was doing. She decided to only eat when she would rest for sleep and awake to begin another night of travel. She couldn't not help but wonder how long the journey would last. Would it be day, weeks, or even months? What obstacles would lay in front her?
Hours passed and it was still dark. Fiona knew she had to keep going even though her body was exhausted. Time was very important; the more time spent traveling; the sooner she would get to Jonas. Day light was rapidly approaching and making all the surrounds visible. She could not see all the formations of the trees and shrubbery along side the road. Fiona found a well-hidden spot under a massive tree where she could not be easily seen by anyone passing by.
Fiona pulled the blanket and package of food from her basket and set them under the tree and placed the bicycle on its side to prevent it from being seen. She unfolded the blanket and wrapped herself in it then fell into the sweet slumber under the tall pine tree.
Quickly the hours of daylight passed while Fiona slept under the tree. She awoke to the unfamiliar chirp of the birds above in the trees and flying gracefully though the sky. She reached for the package of food she managed to take from the community. It was not very much, but it cured her hunger. It was not quite dark yet when she woke. She sat up against the tree for support. Fiona made out a plan for her days in the foreign terrain. She would travel during the dark and rest during the daylight. It seemed so simple, but the struggle of hunger and aching muscles from hours of riding would make it very difficult. She kept on thinking 'I made it out of the community and one night all on my own, I know I can make it all the way.'
Darkness fell upon Fiona and the land surrounding her. She could see in a nearby community that people were scurrying about to get home. Fiona was glad to be away from the community; now she did not have any rules to follow or emotionless apologies to make. The night crews in the community were gone; it was time to continue her journey.
Fiona gathered her blanket and left over food, placed them in the basket, then peddled away into the night.
**********
It had been days, maybe weeks since Fiona left. The paved roads became rugged and hard to travel over. Trees and wildlife became more frequent. Now she could travel during the day without fear of being seen. Occasionally she called Jonas's name in a loud screeching voice. Soon she could feel a change in the air. It was cold and made her tiny body feel numb. 'It can not be much farther,' Fiona thought as she wrapped her arms around her body for ore warmth.
Her loud outbursts to Jonas became more numerous' in a way it sounded like music' though she did not have knowledge of it. In the far distance she could see a huge hill covered with a white blanket of coldness. Perhaps she could see Jonas from the top of the massive hill. As she reached closer to the hill her bicycle became immobile. It remained pasted in the snow. She grabbed her blanket and wrapped it tightly around her upper body, then left her bicycle in the snow.
"Jonas . . . Jonas . . .are you out there?" Fiona's voice became more faint with every shout she made. She hoped that Jonas could hear her.
The trip up the hill was anything but easy. The atmosphere was becoming colder and colder, then the wind blew against her body. Snow was everywhere; be hind her, in front, to the left, and to the right. Only about fifty more feet to go and she could see over the hill. Fiona tucked her head down to warm her ears and nose, but nothing helped. She had to keep on walking. Finally, there it was the top. Now she could see the bottom of the hill. There were lights everywhere and sweet sounds mixed together with flowing words. It reminded her of the cries she called out to Jonas. Is there any way he could be in one of decorated houses? She had to find out.
In a hurry Fiona raced down the hill. It seemed like nothing could stop her, not even the numbness of her body. As she reached the bottom her foot got caught on a rock and she fell to the ground hitting her head on another rock. Her body lied motionless and froze in the snow.
