AUTHOR'S NOTES: I mentioned early in this story that there was a reference to one of my other fanfics, and there was. This chapter really brings it home, and so anyone who has read "The 91st Annual Hunger Games" will see some serious references and foreshadowings of that story here, and it was even referenced in the fic in question. Those who enjoyed this fanfic and its prequel might enjoy the trilogy that is the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd Annual Hunger Games, but in the meantime, thanks for sticking with me as I work on wrapping up Katniss' story once and for all.
Happy Reading!

CHAPTER 21: A Glimpse of the Future

The train arrived back in District 12 with little real fanfare. The victory tour that would flaunt Katniss' triumphs across Panem wouldn't take place for another 6 months or so—conveniently placed as far away from the games as possible so that there'd only be 6 months of something unrelated to the Hunger Games.

Katniss' introversion was not why she feared this tour, but rather, her own reclusiveness and fear of public speaking brought out the fear in her. Some victors made it look so easy. Clove Kazera from last year had been one of these people. Katniss figured it'd be in her best interests to get all warm and cozy with Effie next time they say each other, in the hopes that the woman could help her write at least somewhat passable speeches for each of the districts.

The ones on her mind the most were District 1, District 2, and District 11. She had not really felt one way or the other about her partner Levi, but she had had feelings for Vex as one of her closest friends of all time. The only other person besides her sister that she could really say that about was Gale Hawthorne, but he didn't cross her mind this soon.

District 1 and District 2 were interesting, because on one hand, they had been her greatest enemies in the arena, but on the other hand, to Katniss it had not been personal until after they had killed Vex. Even then, that wasn't exactly over Vex either. Katniss was mostly just upset that she had lived while Vex had died. How many others would suffer that fate?

Life in the victor village was quiet, and Katniss' stipend was more than enough to suit her needs. She still hopped the fence from time to time to help herself get away from it all, but for the most part, she remained alone and content in her mansion, unless Haymitch was inviting her over for cards and a drink.

Still, in contrast to Katniss' mansion, Haymitch's was a mess, and Katniss had not sunk deep enough into depressive stupors to neglect her own place.

"I'm not gonna beg, but you really need to clean this shithole up, Abernathy." Katniss scoffed.

"Maybe if you invited me over to your house more often you wouldn't have to see it?"
"I don't want your piss-breath on my carpets."
"Well, if you're not gonna make a mess someone's gotta fill in for you."

"suck it up, Abernathy. I even brought the cards this time."
"I take it you expected me to supply the drinks?"

"I always assumed you had at least one use, you know."

"you're a slavedriver, Everdeen," Haymitch grunted, getting to his feet. "Give me a moment."
There was an old saying that more or less summarized the relationship between Katniss and Haymitch. Originally brought up by a District 2 woman named Leto Irizari from about 4 decades ago, she had said: "Friendship is determined by how much you can insult someone without them being offended." Such was the nature of the relationship between these two victors. Haymitch was one of the few people that Katniss interacted with, and similarly, Katniss was the only person that Haymitch really bothered interacting with. Neither one really had need to see anyone else, although Katniss did keep in touch with Gale a bit. He was sort of her connection to the rest of the district, since she mostly stayed rather closed off. As such, it was somewhat surprising when she found Gale at her door one afternoon.

"Gale? How did you get in here?"
"I knocked. There's someone that wanted to see you in person down in the district."
"Is it someone 'important'?" The last thing Katniss wanted was an encounter with some Capitol official or something.

"It's just one of the women from the district. You might recognize her once you see her."

Katniss got more properly dressed and followed Gale through the old district village that she used to actively be part of. Nowadays if she wasn't drinking with Haymitch or hunting across the fence, she was usually just making a beeline for the Hob to sell her goods—not because she needed the money, but more to at least try to help others have a little sustenance.

She soon found herself entering a nondescript house, where she found a dark-skinned woman with a bundle in her arms, and a little toddler boy at her side.

"Katniss…" the woman whispered, and Katniss' eyes widened.

"Naisha Togisala…" Katniss exclaimed, remembering the name from the Reaping a few months ago when it had been called for the Quell. She was no longer pregnant, and the bundle in her arms was a little baby girl.

"I heard and saw what happened in the Games, Katniss." She sighed, "and while I know it probably does not mean much… thank you. You saved my family and you saved my life. Wesley, Aveline, and I are forever in your debt."

"thanks for the gratitude, I guess…" Katniss shrugged, "that… well actually that's rather reassuring. For all the people I couldn't save… at least I could save one…"

She paused, glancing at the tiny baby in Naisha's arms.

"So… Aveline, huh?"
"Aye," Naisha nodded, sighing. "I just wish her father could have been here to see her."
"I know what it's like losing a father," Katniss frowned, "I'd almost say it'd be better to not remember him than to be old enough to remember that horrible day he died. Sorry if that's not helping."
"I understand," Naisha indicated, cradling the infant close to her chest, "I just wanted to make sure you knew how grateful I was for your sacrifice. Aveline wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, and I probably wouldn't either."

"I'm not proud of what I did in the arena," Katniss shook her head, "but I'm glad I was able to help you at least. For all the other people I've failed in my life, it's good to know at least one person's life improved because of me."

"Aveline will know of your accomplishments when she is older," Naisha promised, "perhaps you can be her inspiration… maybe she'll stake out on her own and do great things… maybe that's just a mother's naïve optimism. Still… thank you for dropping by, Katniss Everdeen."

A nod of understanding was what Katniss, Gale, and Naisha all parted terms with. Katniss headed outside the district, hopping the fence to get lost in the wilderness and in her own thoughts. She contemplated her new life—how well she had been getting along comparatively speaking. The nightmares she had were frequent, but a few nights with Haymitch had gotten her to accept that they were fairly normal, even if that didn't exactly help her sleep well at night.

She thought back to Finnick; a nice young man—a surprise from a career district, but it seemed that the enmity held between richer or stronger districts like 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 was something that dissipated after the games. Victors were victors, be they from the rich throngs of District 1 or the poorest slums of District 12. She hoped to meet Finnick again when she stopped in District 4, although also wanted to talk to Clove in District 2. She wondered what it was like; Clove Kazera was the last living individual who had seen her sister Prim, as well as her partner Peeta. What did she know, and what could she share? Those were questions Katniss sought answers to. They were not the only people on her mind though.

"Vex…" she mused, "would things have been different if you were back in the District 11 Victor Village and I was dead underground in the corner of the district where they keep memorials for fallen tributes? Would anyone know my name, or is yours too doomed to be forgotten by a Capitol who cares nothing for you or your accomplishments? I wish I could have known you longer—and I wish I could have saved you. You deserved to win far more than I did…"

But as Katniss said this, she thought of little Aveline. What would have happened then, if Katniss had not volunteered? She did not think that many tributes would have mercy on her simply for being pregnant, and that child would not cease to exist. But what if Naisha was right? What if Aveline did grow up and do great things? Katniss thought about it briefly, but then was hit with a heavy reminder that in 12 years the youngster's name would be in the Reaping. 15 years or so down the road, and little Aveline Togisala could very well be representing District 12 in the 91st Annual Hunger Games or something. That was not a thought that Katniss liked considering. No one should have to do what she did; no one should be forced into those brutal and sadistic games. And yet, despite all of that, Katniss knew that she was powerless to stop it. Katniss knew if there was a revolt against the Capitol, that it wouldn't start with her. Maybe Aveline could take up that mantle. Maybe it would be someone else: someone charismatic enough to become a leader and unite people regardless of district. Maybe that hero would come someday—but until they did, all Katniss could do was wait.