Song for Chapter-

The Broken Family Band: It's All Over

"Once upon a time there was a girl…"

"Not a princess?"

"No, definitely not! She was too smart to be a princess. Tough too. Stronger than anyone realized."

"Does she live happily ever after?"

"Shouldn't there be something in the middle?"

"I like to read the ending first." Ash waited, curled up in her bed to hear her sister's assurances, to believe - for a minute at least – that everything could be okay. "So did she?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Thunder crashes suddenly, so loudly that the shoddy windowpanes shake with its force. I can already see strips of lighting in the distance, blending in with the perfect lines of light from the downtown skyscrapers. It won't be long now before the storm.

"Are you volunteering this year?"

I made a startled noise. How did she know? "I am."

"Don't go, Clove."

-WALL-

Nearing the meadow, Ash comes into view, black hair fluttering around her heart-shaped face. My little sister is standing amid green grass and wildflowers, the blades waving around her feet. She said nothing, only whispered something under her breath. I couldn't quite hear the words, but I reached out and took her hand.

"You can't-"

I put a finger against her soft, bow-shaped lips.

"It's okay, I understand."

Ash breathes against my neck and winces as she reaches up to stroke my hair. I tighten my grip around her, as if I might be able to hold her back against the Reaping. Tears run down my face and on to her shoulder.

"Stay with me," she pleads. My throat is so tight from holding back cries that the words are a little more heartache.

"I can't," I choke. It's the truth – but I don't think I can pull my hands away from her. I entwine my fingers in her hair; inhale the scent of her skin. "I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too, Clove," she says slowly and moves away so were looking in each other's eyes. Matching memories swirl in our heads, memories of running through the grass and spinning in circles and holding each other in the garden, memories where we lose track of who is who and begin to feel like a beautiful, golden link connects us. A single, shared heart.