The Dandelion

by Vyshonoui

This is an expansion of Mockingjay's ending. How I imagined the summarized events took place and ending before the epilogue. It was brought to my attention that a chapter repeated itself, I have fixed the issue and the story ending should now make since.

1. Chapter 1

"Is that really Buttercup?" Asks Greasy Sae dumping the dirty breakfast dishes in the sink and turning on the hot water.

"Yeah, he must have found his way back here from 13 by himself" I respond as I throw the last of the bacon between his front paws.

"He must really love her" Greasy Sae answers as she begins scrubbing the pans. I look down at the cat licking the last of the grease off of his paws. Thoughts of Prim and Buttercup start to flood my mind. The nights in our old house here in 12, her face when I brought her to him in13 and the nights we spent in the bunker. Not something I want to think about in front of company. I scoot back from the table and head for the front door.

I hear the scrape of another chair and hear Peeta calling me. "Katniss! Wait!" I keep heading for the door, suddenly the house seems too stuffy and I need air. Peeta catches up to me just as I step on to the porch and inhale a deep breath. "Sae didn't say that to upset you."

I exhale and watch the breeze ruffle the new primrose bushes Peeta planted the day before. "I know she didn't. I just… It's just…" I step down onto the top stair and sit down on the porch. My shoulders slump forward, smooth back my hair and rest my chin on my knuckles.

Peeta steps down and sits next to me. "Trust me. I know the feeling."

We sit there; staring at the deserted road and listen to the workers in what is left of the town load the wheelbarrows. Haymitch's geese wander between the houses searching for food. After a few minutes pass I hear Greasy Sae let herself out that back, as I see her come around the house, heading towards the workers in town, Peeta nudges a rock off the stairs with his foot. "Dr. Aurelius called last night. He told me something. And like what most of what he says, I didn't think it was of any consequence, but…I don't know…maybe you will." As he says this, he stands and steps down the remaining stairs, turning to face me. I look up, meeting his eyes. They dart away quickly, and then meet mine again. "He said. Things will get better".

With that he looks down at the ground again, turns away from me and starts towards his house. I watch him as he strides up the porch and enters his house without looking back. I continue to sit there staring at Peeta's house, his words bouncing around in my head; I stand, turn and go back into the house, slamming the door in the process.