A/N: All characters belong to Suzanne Collins. I created most of the events, but a few are from the books.

There's a storm outside. Lightning and pouring rain. I'm in the dark chamber again. They stripped me and soaked me with water until I can't tell if it's water or tears running down my face. They hold the wires to my bare skin. It's a blinding white pain and someone is screaming. I think it might be me.

Her calming voice pulls me out. "Johanna," she soothes, holding me tightly. I let myself relax in her arms. She's one of the few people I'd let see me like… this. Peeta has too, of course. He was there. So has Katniss, when I was in the hospital after the flooded military testing place. But they're both gone, living their happy lives in District 12. Well, as happy as someone can be after the arena, that is.

I'm in District 4 now. I just wasn't up for going back to 7, with all the memories. I kind of miss the trees though. Nothing special, but they were from home. I live with Annie and her kid. At first I didn't think she wanted me to stay with her. We'd never actually been friends, our only connection was Finnick. But she told me if I stayed, she'd name her son Mason. And she did. They're the only thing I have left now. Annie and I… we help each other. Two tributes who managed to survive the arena, survive the un-relentless torture of the Capitol. We still get the awfully vivid nightmares. I don't think they'll ever completely go away. But we're getting better.

I remember that one time, in the Quarter Quell. I told that brainless Katniss there wasn't anybody left that I loved. And there wasn't, not then. But the Capitol can't hurt me forever. I think I'm starting to love again.

I remember one time when Annie tried to teach me how to fish and I fell into the water. I remember her chuckling as I tried to regain dignity from the fact that Mason could fish better than me. I'm almost surprised I hold that as a fond memory. It helps. Replacing my painful memories of certain things with good ones. Healing.

I stare into Annie's sea green eyes now. I have almost forgotten about the storm. Suddenly, Mason comes out of his room, looking sleepy. Annie smiles and opens her arms to him. "Couldn't sleep," he says, indicating the stormy weather. Mason frowns. "Why don't you get married already? Then I'll have two people to cuddle with." 3 and already talking about marriage. "Johanna doesn't need to be your mother to cuddle with you. She loves you already." I snort and toss back my now fully grown hair. But it's true. I pick Mason up.

As for the marriage thing… well Annie and I've talked. She's not over Finnick yet, of course. She really did love him, and misses him everyday. He'll always be in her heart, but when Annie's ready to move on, I know she'll come to me. The gutsy one and the 'mad' girl, together. Who would have known? If this had happened back when the Hunger Games were still around, the Capitol would have a field day. I shudder just to think of what might have happened to Mason.

I don't like to admit affection for anyone. Not after what they did to the ones I said I loved. I keep having to remind myself that I won't kill someone off by loving them. Not anymore.

The three of us sit together quietly. Even the usually talkative Mason seems lost in thought. I feel strangely sentimental. Before all this, if anyone told me I'd be living with Annie Cresta and her and Finnick's son, I would have called them screwed up. But despite the weirdness, I'm the happiest here than I've ever been in my life. In the warmth of the fire, relaxing with the people I love, I realize something.

This is my family now.