Katniss
I feel something firm beneath me, feeling the warmth radiate off of it I snuggle closer, accepting the arms that surround my small frame and the cinnamon-dill scent that fills my entire entire being being with a sense of comfort. I feel the arms tighten around me and I am safe. I know I am, but it doesn't stop the images from evading my mind. Even in this sleepy state, my memories are able to overtake me and fill me with crippling fear. Even as I lie here in Peeta's arms, I still feel the threat. My breathing quickens as I remember those awful men who will never leave. I will be stuck with each and every one of them for the entirety of my life. It is up to me to decide how long that will be and what meaning my life will have. I have the choice of living or dying. This is my choice now, nobody else's and I will live, for Peeta. But not just for Peeta, I will live for me. I will live for those like me, those who have undergone extreme and irreversible pain. Pain that needn't exist but those in the world who crave fear and pain have made it a staple in this world. Despite all of our efforts there will always be sick bastards out there who wish to hurt others, despite their innocent age. Because for them, they are not able to regain their innocent selves,instead they will remain the empty monsters they are for all eternity, but I, with help, have the ability to return to the person I am, without the crippling fear and debilitating self-loathing. I will survive and they will die.
Author's note: Hey guys, so I had been thinking about how to end this story for a while now, and both seemed too extreme. I started this story wanting a realistic fanfic of such horrid events, to show the people who had flaked over it so simply that this topic is serious and demands a true portrayal of the events; not just some glazed over, hour long ordeal. This is why if I left Katniss perfectly happy that would not at all be what is realistic. In turn, if I wrote her suicide, it would almost show the inability to overcome this ordeal and I know that is not true for many and in all honesty, a bad message to send. And so I came to the conclusion that I personally have experienced(of a different type of course). It was the decision to let allow my demons to get to me, but to overcome them, and I think it honestly just happens randomly, when you decide to help yourself. It may come soon...or not. But it will come, and this is how I wanted to end this fanfic. And with that, "This world I Used to Love" is complete.