A MockingJay Story Part 2 Chapter 11
7 years later...
The Alexander family got on a train to 12. The trains only travel one weekend a year. Liam got on the train first, gesturing the rest of the family on board.
12 year old Clara got on board. Her hair was longer and had gotten wavy. She had a light blue dress on that blew in the wind.
7 year old Dillon was right behind her. He has light brown hair like his father.
Behind him, were two little girls with the same faces. They had long flowing light brown hair half way down their backs. Four year old Charlotte and Violet hopped on the train, all smiles and giggles.
Shay climbed aboard next, with a shining band around her ring finger.
They took their seats on the luxurious train. They had their own room.
Charlotte sat on one of the sofas, sitting up on her knees.
"Why couldn't Joanna come with us?" little Violet asked.
"Your God-mom wanted some time to herself." Shay said.
The train arrived in the late afternoon in District 12. The place was really quiet. It was so calm. They walked about a half mile to get to the lone house in the district. The victor's mansion.
Katniss was outside, de-feathering a duck.
"Katniss!" Shay called out.
"Shay." Katniss smiled. She ran over to her and hugged her. "I'm glad you're here."
"One year is not enough." Shay said.
"I know. The children grow up so fast." Katniss said.
"Tell me about it." Shay said.
Clara ran up to Katniss, full speed. "Katniss!"
"Clara," she beamed. She swung her around once. "Look at you. You're so grown. Looking more like your mother every year."
Clara smiled sweetly. Her lip quivered a little. "Thank you."
Liam walked up the path, holding young Violet, and walking beside Charlotte and Dillon. "Hey." He said.
Katniss walked over to him. He put down his daughter and embraced Katniss.
The Alexander's entered the Mellark-Everdeen home. Peeta was in the kitchen, helping prepare their evening meal. Their three year old son was building with blocks. He knocked them over when he saw the guests. The baby girl was sleeping in her crib in the living room.
Haymitch showed up an hour later, hiding out in the guest house. "No Joanna this year?"
"She probably didn't want to smell you." Shay joked.
"I'll have you know, I've been sober for 9 years." He said.
"Really?" Liam asked him. He looked over at Peeta and Katniss.
"There isn't exactly a bar around here." Peeta said.
"And you chose to spend your one day a year where you go to any district, to stay here?" Shay asked.
"It's not like I have many friends I can stay with in other districts." Haymitch said.
Shay and Peeta smiled, trying not to laugh.
The two families gathered around the table for a feast. They talked about school for their children (or homeschool), Annie and her son, their children, Paylor's new laws, and Clara's singing. They didn't mention the games at all.
"Ooh, next year you'll have to visit us." Clara said. "Then Annie and Sebastian can come too."
"Except I'm not allowed to leave." Katniss said quietly.
"Oh yeah." Clara said. "Then maybe Annie could visit us all here in 12."
"That would be wonderful." Shay said. She reached her hand over to Clara under the dinner table.
After dinner, Clara sat outside feeling the breeze on her face. She sat on the itchy grass, not minding the feeling.
Katniss walked outside and sat with her. "I just realized that you're 12 years old this year."
Clara nodded and faced Katniss. "I read my mom's journal. The one from when she was taken by the Capitol. I took it from Shay. She doesn't know."
"Why are you telling me?" Katniss asked.
"She talked about you a lot. I mean, it was mostly me and Jerome. And Liam. And some about my bio dad."
Katniss looked at her worried.
"She compared her torture to what happened to her." Clara said. "It all makes sense now." She took a couple breaths before continuing. "Anyway, the parts about you-She was willing to die for you. So that you could ensure my future. You could inspire people to make a change so that I didn't have to grow up like you all did. I didn't have to grow up in fear of those games."
A tear fell down Katniss's cheek as she listened to her words.
"She wanted us to grow up and live. She wanted us to grow up happy and safe-at least from the games. If you hadn't done that, I could have been reaped this year."
Katniss wiped her face with her wrist.
"You saved my family." She held Katniss's hand. "I know my mom and Jerome died because of these games. Because of the corrupt system. My mom dared to trust you with her life. She was right to because it worked. You ended the game. I don't have to worry about the games. I can be carefree. I can actually strive for a career, not worry if I'll be alive when I'm 19. I get to grow up with my brother, knowing he won't have to go in a game. I get to watch my cousins grow up, happy and safe from all that. I get to live, which is everything my mama wanted for me."
Katniss nodded, squeezing her hand, while tears streamed down her face.
"And the Alexander family left District 12 the next morning, promising to return again the next year." Clara said, the girl telling the story. "It took a long time, but the Alexander family was unlucky no more."
Young Violet clapped her hands together. "Great Story."
"Well they were unlucky after the victors died." Charlotte said.
"C'mon." Dillon nudged Charlotte.
"Well." Charlotte said. "The curse was broken only after the last victor in the family died."
Dillon shook his head. "That was incredible, Clara." He looked at Clara. "Is it all true?"
Clara nodded. "Uh-Huh. Every last word."
"How do you know all this. You weren't even there for some of it?" Charlotte asked. "You didn't watch the games."
"I have now." She said. "And I still have mama's journal."
"Those games were awful." Dillon said. "I'm glad we don't have them anymore."
"Yeah." little Violet said.
"The games aren't all bad." Clara said. "Dillon, you and I wouldn't be here without the games. None of us would be. The games brought our families together, for better or worse."
Dillon nodded his head.
"Why did you tell us this story?" Charlotte asked.
"Because it's the story of our family." Clara said. "And I want you to know about all the brave people who fought so that we could have the life we have today.
Once things were really bad. But we never have to worry about that."
"Woah." Charlotte said.
"I can't wait until we visit Katniss again." little Violet said. "So I can thank her."
Clara smiled at her.
Liam and Shay called them into the house for dinner. The twins got up and dashed into the house. Dillon stayed behind, walking beside his sister.
"Can I read mom's jounral too?" Dillon asked.
A smirk grew on Clara's face as she walked towards the house. "I can read parts to you."
"Just like aunt Shay did?" He asked.
She smiled and nodded.
After dinner with her family, Clara tended to the bunnies outside. There were dozens now that still resided at the house. Many hopped away into the forrest or were adopted by other residents in district 8.
Clara went back inside the house her aunt and uncle built. She said goodnight to her brother and cousins before going to her room. Liam wished her a goodnight and she turned off the light. Panem was free. No more sleepwalking. No more nightmare. Just a bright future. She fell asleep knowing her family is safe and always would be safe from the deadly Hunger Games.
