Always: A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter 91

Katniss

The next morning, I continue my new routine. I get up, pack food in my game bag, and head to the woods. I take a different route though, so I can avoid the Hawthorne household. In the woods, I try to hunt as much as I can but like yesterday, I don't get much. I shoot a squirrel and decide to bring it home for Peeta to cook tonight. I stop at the bakery to buy more flour for baking.

Before I leave to go home, I hear a few portly men talking near the front of the bakery. "I hear a train from 4 is comin' in today."

"Yeah, I thought it was that crazy girl from the Games." I stop dead in my tracks. I completely forgot about Annie. She'll be here soon. Peeta didn't say a time, though. I thank Henry, the man who trades for bread at the bakery and embark towards the train station a little past the Victor's Village. District 11's station looks like the Capitol compared to 12's. It's a lot smaller than my livingroom, with on bench. The opening where the train stops here takes up the whole wall. There's only one person standing here. Immediately when I see him, I know he's homeless. I can tell by just looking at his old, tired face. He doesn't have the Seam look. He has green eyes. I assume they used to look brighter, but now they just look dull. It reminds me of the times Peeta's eyes light up when he sees me for some reason.

I sit on the bench that looks like it's about to collapse and wait for Annie's train. Ocasionally I wonder why I'm even here. I could let Annie find Peeta and I. But for some reason I have some need to see her. I'm not sure what it is, or why I feel like this, but I feel like I'm required to be here. That I have to help Annie with whatever I can. Because I owe it to Finnick, for giving his life so our squad could go on. He sacrificed himself, just like so many others. It could have easily been Gale or myself in Finnick's place.

I can hear the movement of wheels against metal tracks in the distance and I know the train is coming. From inside, you don't hear or feel a thing, but it sounds like a stampede from the outside. I refrain from covering my ears with my hands, though.

I stand from the bench and patiently wait for Annie. The man leaves with a sad nod to me. That's usually how people greet me. They nod and smile and some occasionally thank me. When they do, I put on a fake smile and stare at my feet. I should not be thanked. I killed the president. I fought in the rebellion. I was the Mockingjay. But I do not need people's thanks for causing thousands and thousands of people's deaths. Some of them, my friends and family.

Sometimes I wonder what my father would think of me if he was alive. Would he be devastated? Would he be angry that Prim was killed in a war I caused? A part of me thinks he might have been, but not for very long. I don't think he would blame me, although I would. I think he would be proud of his daughter. For surviving 2 Hunger Games and making it back. For taking care of my sister. For hunting everyday and trading at the Hob. For getting rid of the Reapings and the president. The thought that my father would be happy makes me feel lighter for some reason. One less person that I owe, but will never be able to pay I guess.

I see Annie almost immediately. Her reddish-brown hair falls at her shoulders. She's wearing a beautiful sea-green dress, similar to the color of Finnick's eyes, but not quite. She holds a little boy, at the age of around six. He's wearing a pair of short khaki colored pants and a white shirt; a common fashion for District 4 people. They wear simple things, and that can get wet without damage. Of course, I don't see why a toddler would need to fish, but that doesn't matter now.

Finn's eyes are the exact color of Finnick's. I can't help but stare when the boy looks at me. Annie smiles and nods, like she understands too, the breathtaking color of his eyes are the same as his father's. His hair is a golden color, darker than Finnick's was, but lighter than Annie's.

"Hello, Annie," I finally say, after taking in the appearance of the child.

"Katniss," she says politely. For a moment her eyes fixate on something behind me I can't see. But it doesn't last long and whatever it was is over, she doesn't seem to remember it. "Finn. This is your Aunt Katniss."

"Aunt?" I ask. I've never had an aunt before. Neither of my parents had siblings. I once imagined being one, though; to Prim's kids. I knew she would have at least two. She obsess over babies she'd see in the square or in the Bakery. She and I even discussed names.

"Katniss, what would you name your child if you had one?" Prim asked as we cleaned up the table. I refrained from snorting back a rude comment about never wanting kids. I never told Prim that, and for the sake of her, I didn't want to.

"I'm not sure," I said back, putting the last of the dishes into a big bowl to be washed.

"I like the name Willow for a girl," she told me casually.

"Willow. That's beautiful, Prim. And a boy?"

"I don't really know. I like the name Vick a lot, but that's Gale's brother."

"That's okay. It could be like you're naming him after Vick," I said with a reassuring smile. She nodded and I pulled her into a hug.

"Aunt Katniss," Finn repeats after his mother. I smile and I hold back tears. Even his voice somehow reminds me of Finnick.

"I figured since Finnick didn't have siblings and I had a sister, but she died a 4 years back...Or was it 7 years? 9?" Annie asks herself, gazing off again. I don't say anything, though. Sure enough, she comes back to me and continues talking just moments later. "Anyways, I thought you and Peeta would be a perfect aunt and uncle for Finn. I think Finnick agrees." I try not to think too much about her last statement. I think Finnick agrees. I assume she talks to him sometimes, but I don't dare ask.

"We should get back to the Victor's Village. Peeta's cooking something for dinner. It might be a change from the food in 4," I say. She smiles and holds Finn tighter as we step into the sunlight outside.

Okay. You guys deserve an explanation. I haven't been updating in a reallyyyyyy long time and I'm so sorry for that. I just needed a little break to try and give myself time to get back in the mood for writing. But I am back now, hopefully better than ever. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)

-booklover2019