It appears my 'secret mission' from Coin wasn't a complete lie, because after a twenty minute conversation, it is decided that I should be the one to execute Snow.

Effie and I are in my room right now. I've already changed into my mockingjay suit and I have my axes ready. I'm going to kill him.

"Well, it's bound to be quite the show," Effie says evasively. We look in the mirror. "Oh, but you look as lovely as ever. Just beautiful.

"Finishing touches," she pins the Mockingjay pin to my chest and I look down at Austin's pearl that's in my hand.

I'm ready.

☘︎☘︎☘︎

I walk down the street the tribute parade was once held on with all the rebels (Rory and Vick at the fore) behind me. Coin stands where Snow once did, still looking impassive.

As for Snow, he's pinned to a post in the centre. All six victors stand on either side and allow me in between them. I look at Austin as I pass, and he appears alright. Maybe he is.

Snow appears fine. He doesn't seem unhappy, at least. But he's not exactly jumping up and down. I look at him hatefully.

Coin steps up. "Welcome to the new Panem! Today, on the Avenue of the Tributes, all of Panem, a free Panem, will watch more than a mere spectacle. We are gathered to witness a historic moment of justice. Today, the greatest friend to revolution, will throw the shot to end all wars! May her axe signify the end of tyranny, and the beginning of a new era!

"Mockingjay, may your axe be as true, as your heart is pure," that's her last words.

I raise my axe above my head, aiming at Snow's heart. He just looks at me, as if we're still speaking our last conversation.

"Oh my dear Miss Hawthorne, I thought we agreed not to lie to each other."

He's right. We did.

I aim further upwards, and throw. The axe hits its target, and President Coin collapses, an axe in her chest, dead.

The aftermath happens quickly. Rebels run in at me from all sides as Snow laughs, long and hard. His mouth is wide open and I can see all the blood...

Austin's suddenly running to me and in front of me, as two guards grab me he shouts, but I don't hear.

Rebels running to kill Snow- rebels running to kill me- Snow, I see, has obviously choked. He's still tied to the post, but he moves no more.

Both of the leaders. Both of the Presidents. Both dead.

☘︎☘︎☘︎

I get taken to a room that has nothing in it. I can't believe what I've just done. I wait for half an hour and no one comes to kill me. I don't know what's going to happen to me.

Someone comes to me but I can't see who they are. Then I recognise Haymitch in the gloom. I sink down the wall and sit on the floor.

He walks over and sits down beside me. "I'll say this for you, Willow. You don't disappoint. Er- Plutarch gave me a letter for you-"

"I don't want it," I say immediately.

"You never make it easy, do you?" He raises his eyebrows at me. "Well if you won't read it then I'll do it for you."

He takes a deep breath.

" 'Willow, maybe the country was shocked tonight by your axe, but once again I was not. You were exactly who I believed you were. I wish I could give you a proper goodbye but with both Coin and Snow dead the fate of the country will be decided tonight and I can't be seen at your side. Tonight the twelve district leaders will call for a free election. There's little doubt that Paylor will carry it. She's become the voice of reason. I'm sorry so much burden fell on you. I know you'll never escape it. But if I had to put you through it again for this outcome, I would.

" 'The war's over. We'll enter that sweet period where everyone agrees not to repeat the recent horrors. Of course, we're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self destruction. Although, who knows? Maybe this time, we'll learn. I've secured you a ride out of the Capitol; it's better for you to be out of sight, and when the time is right, Commander Paylor will pardon you. The country will find its peace. I can only hope you will find yours. Plutarch'."

I sigh, looking down to avoid the fact that I'm crying. "What now?"

"Home," is his only answer. "We go home."

Effie is waiting for us when I come out with a bag of my stuff, Haymitch behind me."Couldn't let you go without a proper goodbye."

I hug her and she tells me. "It's your job to take care of yourself now, Willow. Promise me you'll find it."

"Find what?" My voice is ragged, but I still ask.

"The life of a victor," Effie answers, pulling me back into a hug. "Goodbye, my girl."

"Effie don't be a stranger," Haymitch says, hugging her too. Then they kiss on the lips. I would smile if I wasn't so sad.

"Take care of her," Effie whispers. She thinks I can't hear them.

"I will," Haymitch promises.

I know what this means. My mother isn't coming back. Gale isn't either, but hopefully, Rory, Vick and Posy will. Hopefully.

The train ride seems short compared to the others, but by the time we reach the Victors Village, it's morning. Haymitch bids a silent goodbye to me at his door.

I know it's morning, but I decide to go to sleep anyway. Not being bothered to go up to my room, I get some blankets and sleep on the sofa.

I wake a couple hours later to the sound of glass smashing.

One look in the kitchen and I see it. That mangy old cat, Buttercup. Normally I would just throw an insult at him but seeing him now is so much more painful.

"She's gone," I say, my voice shaky.

The cat just stays, meowing. "Get out." I say. But when he stays, I begin to shout. "Get OUT! PRIM IS GONE! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, SHE'S DEAD! SHE'S DEAD!"

I throw glasses at him and they smash, but I don't care. I collapse, crying, as the cat never leaves. "Stay," I cry out, and he hops towards me. I hug him for the first time in my life, both clinging on to each other because we can't do the same with Prim.

☘︎☘︎☘︎

I decide to go hunting in a week. I think I'm ready. I head out with my game bag and my axes, ready to catch something.

In the end, I get a few birds and a rabbit in a snare that was set up months ago. The meat is fresh, though, I can tell. I head back to the Victors Village slowly, but then I see them.

Austin. Vick. Rory. Posy.

I walk up to them. "Austin," I whisper. He turns, as do the others.

"Hey," Austin says.

"You came home?" I look to all of them.

"Yeah," they all nod.

Then I notice the flowers in Austin's hands. "I found these out by the edge of the forest. It's a Primrose."

Completely ignoring the fact that my three younger siblings are there, I go forward and envelope myself in his arms. He hugs back, clinging to me like he doesn't ever want to let go.

He loves me again.

"So sorry, Willow," he whispers to me, but I don't care. He's there and that's all that matters.

For the next few days, Haymitch, Austin, Vick, Posy, Rory and I all help each other survive. We all get each other through. And we all support each other.

One day, when it's just Austin and I alone, a letter arrives from Annie. Austin reads it out.

" 'You'll be happy to hear that Mrs Everdeen and your mother, Willow, have been training new medical units in the Capitol, Gale and Katniss have been promoted to captains in District Two to help keep order and security, and I am loving every moment with my son, who reminds me more and more every day of his father'."

I remember hearing that Annie was pregnant. It broke my heart that Finnick wouldn't get to see his son, but I tried to be happy.

" 'We've all suffered so much, but we owe it to their memories, and to our children, to do our best with these lives. I hope you're both finding some peace. Love, Annie'."

Inside there was a picture of Annie with a little boy that looked so much like Finnick. I smile.

That evening, we all watch Paylor become the President of Panem. The voice of reason, Plutarch had said. I guess he was right.

"There's Plutarch, right in the middle of it all," Austin points to the gamemaker, on the screen just behind Paylor.

"And they say no one ever wins the games," Haymitch nods.

"You say that," Rory laughs.

Sometimes, there's rainy days. Days that Austin, my little siblings and I sit by the door and wait for it to end.

There's nights where I wake up drenched with sweat and screaming, but Austin's strong arms are always there. Sometimes, I go and climb into his bed, and one night, he gets up enough courage and asks me.

"You love me, real or not real?"

And there, enveloped between his arms and warm covers and looking up at his lips. There, I tell him.

"Real."