Brenda Long's P.O.V. (D7)

I walk through the streets of District Seven. People smile and wave at me everywhere I go. I have made life happier for the people here and in many other Districts. I have used my winnings to build a school and hospital for blind people in all the Districts, where they can get glasses just like mine.

Life is so different now. I live with my sister, Colette, in the fancy new house in the Victor's Village. Only a few other people live in some of the houses there. I only ever go to visit my mentor. We meet up twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.

I don't need my sister to take me anywhere anymore, since I have my glasses. It's a weird feeling.

I continue walking down the street until I reach the door to the Paits's house. This is the house where Mason used to live. I visit his parents weekly. Even though it's been a solid three months since I got back, it feels like the Games were just yesterday. Then again, I don't think that feeling will ever leave me. It will always be behind me, occasionally tapping my shoulder to remind me that it's still there.

I knock on the wooden door and I am greeted by Mason's mother, Anita. She tells me that Mason's dad has gone to work, but I can still come in. We sit and talk for a little while. Mason gets brought up a few times, as he usually is at these visits. Every time one of us says his name, the other goes silent and changes the subject to the weather or each other's occupations. Our minds are usually still thinking of the same thing, though.

After asking her permission, Anita says I can go into the woods behind their house.

I go out the back door and head straight for the woods. Leaves crunch beneath my feet as I look around. I stop walking when I find a tree that has a lot of it's bark missing and there are deep holes where something had hit it. I turn around and see a half-rotted log several meters away. Could this be the hiding place Mason had told me about?

I walk up to it and crouch in front of the opening of the hollow log. Leaves are piled inside, protecting something from view. I reach inside and brush them aside. I find a partially rusted throwing-axe resting inside, untouched. I can't believe it is still here, right where Mason had left it on the Reaping day.

I reach in and take the axe out. I can almost feel Mason in the axe, knowing that this is the weapon he practiced with every day. He was so good with axes. Just holding the weapon brings back memories of him.

I remember when we first asked him to be in our alliance. I didn't want him in it, because I heard he was a big tribute and I didn't want him to think I was a target. Sage kept telling me that if he did anything that seemed suspicious, she personally would kill him.

I also remember the time when we were in the river together, holding hands. When he told me that he didn't trust anybody else, but me.

Then I remember the day he kissed me. That was a dreadful day, and the storm wasn't making it any better. That was the day I learned about this place and what he used to do. And it was the day when he learned about my past.

I remember the last time we kissed...he was dying. I wasn't ready for him to go. He was the best person I have ever known, and I will never ever forget him.

I'm not going to let his death pull me down. I am going to trust his last words he ever said to me, and keep going. The last thing he said was, "It'll be okay." And it will.

The End