The Sixty-Eighth Hunger Games

EPILOGUE #2

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, so here's the deal. I wrote two epilogues because I'm 90% sure my friend would have killed me if I'd left it at my original ending, and also because I couldn't decide which one was better. Both of them are posted, and feel free to decide which one you want to think of as the real ending! 

Addie squeezed Annie's hand as they watched the slideshow honoring those who had died during the rebellion. Addie recognized more faces than she would like, but the hardest hits are James and Finnick. Both of their deaths were so unnecessary and she realized with a pang that she would have rather lost anyone other than those two.

When Addie looked over at Annie, she noticed a tear making its way down her freckled face, and she reached over to wrap Annie in a hug. Her body shook in Addie's arms as she sobbed, and Addie did her best to comfort her.

Many months later, Addie played outside with Annie and Finnick's son, who they decided to name James. They figured that Finnick would have liked his brother to be remembered in that way, and when little James grows up, they can tell him the story of his namesake.

Seated on a blanket, Addie tried to get James to speak.

"Come on buddy, say it: Auntie Addie."

The little boy, almost a year old, just smiles at her.

"Auntie Addie." Addie leaned forward and poked his nose. "Ahn-tee Ah-dee."

"Ah.." the boy starts. "Dee!" he cooed triumphantly.

"Good job!"

At that moment, Annie came out of the house holding a pitcher of water.

"Ma-ma!" James held out his arms. "Up-a!"

Annie rolled her eyes at Addie and, setting down her pitcher, picked up James.

"Do you know," she asked her son, playfully chastising him, "how needy you are? No?" Turning to her friend, Annie continued talking. "Katniss and Peeta will be here soon."

Addie hopped up, tugging her shorts into place as she did so. "'Kay. I'll go wait out front."

As Addie stood in front of the house, she considered her life. Some parts of it were terrible, but she realized that there were still some sparks of joy throughout. The country was being rebuilt, and James, along with Katniss' baby bump, was evidence of families being restored.

Addie had lost so much, but hope was slowly being returned to her.