The Receiver

The Plan

The next morning I cheerfully greeted my parents and lied easily about my busy and pleasant day and my father smiled and lied easily too about his busy day.

Throughout the school day, as I did my lessons I went over the plan in my head

This morning when Amelia asked if I was okay showing concern for me because I didn't leave until the next morning, I couldn't help but think about the conversation I had with the giver last night.

"And what about Amelia? She loves the newborn babies! She in training to care for them. Does she know yet? What will she do when she finds out? How will she feel?"

Brushing the wetness from my face remembering Amelia kind smile and laugh but the giver interrupted " She very efficient at her work, your friend. Feelings are not part of the life she's learned"

I couldn't comprehend Is he talking about the same Amelia who always goes out of her way for Everyone rather she knew them or not?

For the next two weeks as the time of the December ceremony approached, the giver would transfer every memory of courage and strength that I needed to escape.

I needed those to help me to find elsewhere that they sure existed. I knew it be a difficult journey.

In the middle of the night before the ceremony I would secretly leave my dwelling, this was probably the most dangerous part because it was a violation of a major rule for any citizen not on official business to leave a dwelling in at night.

The food collectors will be finished picking up the evening meal remains by then and the path maintenance crews don't start their work that early. So there won't be anyone to see me unless of course someone is out on emergency business.

Silently I would take my bicycle to the riverbank and leave it there hidden in bushes.

Then when I would make my way through the darkness silently to the Annex with the giver leaving the door unlocked. Their was no night time attendant.

My parents would discover when they woke, that he was gone. They would find a cheerful note that he be going for a early morning ride along the river that he be back for the ceremony.

They weren't say anything because it would reflect on their parenting and everyone at the ceremony wouldn't notice except for

As I remember the times and years I spent with Amelia she always seems be looking at him, I wonder if she worried but the giver said we're the only ones who had emotions with made me feel sad.

The giver would help hide me in the storage area of the vehicle

By the time they noticed something the giver be in his way back and I be making my journey elsewhere.

Afterwards he would announce to everyone that I was lost in the river, he would begin the ceremony of loss. I tried begging him to come but he refused.

But with underwhelming feelings he had one more mission; to get Amelia to come! She always listened even when I talked nonsense I know somewhere she wants to believe me, I can't give up hope! Even the giver said it be impossible but finally he agreed.