A/N: Eeeeeeppppp! It's the final chapter, guys! Well, technically it's not. We still have the epilogue, but you guys know what I mean! First off, I have to give a HUGE shout-out to all of my lovely reviewers. I mean, we're nearing 1500, and that, my dear readers, is absolutely freaking awesome.

So . . . this chapter . . . yeah, I'm pretty sure all of you will hunt me down and kill me. Violently. With great zest.

Worried, yet?

*cackles evilly*

Random Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games Series. As the past two stories show, my version of events would have been quite different.

Katniss: Oh my god . . .

Peeta: Oh my god . . .

Rye: Oh. My. God.

Haymitch: You've got to be kidding.

Me: Nope. That's really how it ends.

Katniss: . . . oh my god . . . you've got to be kidding me.


Chapter 26: Until the End

Why give up? Why give in?

It's not enough, it never is

But I will go on until the end


I wake up in the hospital with one hell of a headache.

Chaos echoes all around me, provoking the dull throbbing in my skull to become a horrendous pounding. There is simply too much noise. Hurried voices. Wheeled gurneys. Moans of pain. Cries of agony. And yet, out of all the sound resounding in my mind, threatening to make my head explode, I am able to hear a single soft voice above everything else.

I turn my head and see Peeta sitting by my bedside looking ragged, but alive. His blonde hair is coated in dust and dirt. His complexion is sprinkled with black ash and smoke. His clothes are torn and bloody, but he seems okay for the most part. He takes my hand. "This is becoming too common an occurrence," he says with a small smile. "We need to stop meeting up like this."

I laugh tiredly. "Your fault."

"I'm sorry," he apologizes, looking guilty. "I shouldn't have let him get to me. I should have just killed him."

"No," I shake my head, ignoring the dizziness the action induces. "I'm glad you beat him. I'm glad he lost. I think that means far more than ending his life yourself."

"Well, we don't have to worry about him anymore," Peeta says seriously. "He's gone."

"How are Rye and Finnick?" I ask, suddenly remembering that both of them were injured. "Are they okay?"

"Rye is fine," Peeta answers with an eye roll. "Complaining to every pretty nurse that will listen to him and still telling the worst jokes."

A knot of worry forms in my stomach. "What about Finnick?"

"He'll be okay," Peeta assures me. "But it was a nasty cut he got from those things in the tunnel. It'll scar." He chuckles slightly. "He's trying reassure himself that he's still prettier than everyone else. He says it gives him character."

I roll my eyes. That would be Finnick.

"So we're all okay?" I ask and Peeta nods. "Where's Lilly?"

Peeta suddenly smiles, looking over my shoulder at something behind me. "She's right here."

Haymitch walks in holding Lilly. The moment she sees me her eyes light up and immediately she's struggling to escape Haymitch's hold. I ignore my sore muscles that protest when I sit up and reach out for her. The moment she's in my arms, the greatest joy rushes through me.

"Hi, little girl," I say with a bright smile, and Lilly squeals in delight at the sound of my voice. "I missed you so much." I turn her slightly in my arms. "Say 'hi' to daddy!"

The grin on Peeta's face is blinding. His eyes are shining with compassion and love. Gently, he takes Lilly into his arms and holds her up in front of him. "Hey, sunshine," he chuckles at the big, slobbery smile on Lilly's face. "Miss me? I missed you." Lilly squeals with laughter again as Peeta peppers her face with kisses.

He's so gentle with her, his hands light and soft. It's hard to believe that only hours ago those very same hands mercilessly ended the lives of three people.

"Doc said that she was a little fussy, but was okay overall," Haymitch says, interrupting our family moment. "Riley's around here somewhere. Or maybe she's out there searching for bodies."

"What?" I frown.

"Happened while you two were out," he explains. "Right after Snow blew himself up, not two minutes later bombs were dropped on the front lawn of the mansion. There were hundreds of Capitol citizens trying to seek refuge from the Rebels. But, after the first set of bombs went off, a second wave dropped a few minutes later. Dozens of medics were killed or injured trying to help casualties when the second set dropped."

"We've got another one!"

A gurney rolls in, bringing the smell of burnt flesh into the medical bay. I notice Lieutenant Caine walking alongside the gurney, looking concerned. My stomach drops when I see a flash of blonde hair on the wheeled bed. I know without getting a better look that it's Prim. Without a thought, I'm leaping off the tiny hospital bed and rushing to the gurney.

"Prim!"

That's when I see her. Her face is smeared with blood and ash. Her skin is red and blistered. But it's the sight of her arm that causes me to gasp and makes bile rise in my throat. The skin almost appears to be melted. I can see bone surrounded by black, dead tissue. Blood stains the white cloth of the gurney. The smell of burnt flesh reeks in the air.

"Ma'am, step away from the gurney," one of the doctors orders me. "We have to take her into surgery."

I don't pay attention to him. All I see his Prim's angelic, bloodstained, ashen face. Her eyes are closed. She's deathly still. "Prim! Wake up! Prim!"

Suddenly, her eyes flicker open. She searches the room dazedly for my voice. "Prim!" I cry in relief. "Prim, you're going to be okay. You're going to be fine."

"Gale," she whispers hoarsely. "Where's Gale?"

The doctor takes my arm, forcing me to look at him. "I'm sorry, Miss, but if you want her to live we need to take her now."

He drops my arm and immediately they're rushing Prim toward a pair of swinging double doors, shouting about blood pressure and heart rates. I stare at the door uncomprehendingly. My mind can hardly process what I just saw. Prim is hurt. She could die.

And what about Gale?

I jump when I feel hands on my shoulders. "Hey, easy," Peeta soothes. "You're okay."

At the sound of his voice, I immediately turn around and throw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. I feel numb. All the events of the day are beginning to run through my mind, everyone that we've lost. Johanna is dead. She sacrificed herself to save us. Snow is dead. He tried to take us with him. Finnick and Rye are injured. Prim is fighting for her life.

"She'll be fine," Peeta assures me softly. "She might not look it, but she's just as tough as you are. She'll pull through."

"What about Gale?" I ask confused. "What did she mean?"

"I think I can help with that."

Peeta and I turn to see Doctor Riley standing in front of us. She looks haggard. Her medic's uniform is stained with blood and ash. Her silvery hair, usually twisted into a neat bun, has fallen down and now brushes her shoulders. Her silver-rimmed glasses are askew, but her sharp hazel eyes are shining brightly in determination. She's still on the top of her game.

"I found both of them," she explains before amending. "Well, I can't take all the credit." She suddenly looks down at her feet and it's only then that I notice Maya. Her normally white fur is greased with black and grey, spotted with red. She looks unusually solemn. "Maya was searching the grounds nearby," Dr. Riley continues. "Led us right to them."

"How is Prim?" Peeta asks. I bite my lip to try and prevent a sob from escaping me. Peeta's arm tightens around my waist in response.

Dr. Riley's expression is grim. "She's severely injured and the burn on her arm is a nasty one. In surgery they'll see how much tissue they can save. If we're lucky, she'll be able to keep her arm. Now that we're in the Capitol, we have access to some phenomenal equipment. Best case scenario is that she keeps the arm, but loses some nerve function."

I fight back tears. "Worst case scenario?"

"She loses the arm. Or worse." Dr. Riley gives us an apologetic look. "There might be some internal damage that we don't know about yet. Honestly, she's lucky she's alive at all."

I nod, trying to keep myself together. "Okay. What about Gale?"

Dr. Riley hesitates, and the deep apology in her eyes says it all. "No," I deny her silent answer. I refuse to believe. "He's not—"

"He's still alive," she interrupts softly. "But . . . he won't last the night. There's nothing we can do, but try to ease the pain."

This is all too much. I can't possibly deal with all of this. I can't. Johanna is dead. Prim may lose her arm. And Gale . . .

He can't die.

"Where is he?" Peeta asks quietly.

"Down the hall," Dr. Riley motions toward her left. "First door on the right. Now, forgive me, but I have patients to see."

"Of course. Thank you," Peeta replies and Dr. Riley gives us both a sharp nod before walking briskly toward the incoming patients.

Haymitch comes up to us, holding Lilly in his arms. The sight of her bright face makes me want to cry. I want so badly to feel the happiness that enveloped me only moments ago when I held her in my arms. But I can't. I can't summon even a smidgen of lightness. A heavy weight threatens to pull me under the surface. I feel as though I've been tossed into the sea in a raging storm with no hope of swimming to shore. I'm drowning.

I can't breathe.

"Katniss," Peeta says sharply and I gasp, inhaling deeply. "Breathe."

"Me and the kid will take Lilly to the Training Center," Haymitch says solemnly. "We got our old floor back. We'll be there."

Without another word, Haymitch and Lilly disappear from the hospital. I'm glad. I don't want my daughter around so much pain and despair. She's too young to see death; even if I know she won't remember any of this when she's older.

"You should go with them," I tell Peeta, who has yet to leave my side. "Lilly needs you."

"So do you," he replies softly, tilting my face up so he can read my expression. I wonder what he sees. Red, puffy eyes filled with pain and grief. Tear-streaked cheeks. I hope I don't look as broken as I currently feel. "I'll be there for you. Just outside."

"I don't know if I can do this," I whisper. "I don't know if I can watch him die."

"If you don't go, you'll regret it for the rest of your life," Peeta says knowingly. "Katniss, he's your best friend."

I nod and summon all my courage. With a trembling hand, I lace Peeta's fingers with mine, and together we navigate the hospital hall, dodging frantic nurses and harried doctors. Everything is so chaotic. And yet, with each step closer to Gale's room, I feel myself become numb. It's almost as though I'm moving through a dream. It's not real.

It can't be real.

When we reach the door to Gale's room, Peeta stops. "I'll be right here."

I stare at the nondescript metal door as if it holds a danger I can't escape. In a way it does. I take a deep, shaky breath and raise a trembling hand to the door. Closing my eyes, I twist the handle and push open the door, stepping into the room.

Gale lies unrecognizable on the bed. His long, mussed black hair is gone, burnt pink and red skin in its place. His body seems swollen and red. Bandages that were once white mask his entire torso and the majority of both arms. The stench in the room is unbearable and brings tears to my eyes.

The room reeks of decay and death.

Slowly, I walk cautiously to the edge of the bed as if it is muttattion lying in wait. The chair next to him makes too much noise when it scrapes against the floor, almost making me jump as I take a seat. I would hold his hand, but the blackened tips of his fingers prevent me from doing so. The last thing I want to do is cause him more pain.

His eyes suddenly flicker open and he turns his head slightly toward me. I take comfort in the fact that his eyes are just as grey and bright as ever. "You came," he whispers hoarsely. "I didn't . . ." Gale pauses to gasp for air, short of breath. ". . . think you would."

"Then you're an idiot," I tell him with a teary smile.

Gale can't seem to make his facial muscles work, but I see the smile in his eyes. However, his smile is gone in the next second, a near frantic look in his eye. "Prim?"

"She's in surgery," I whisper. "Dr. Riley says she'll be okay."

It's not the complete truth, but I don't want him to have her possible death on his conscience. "You're the reason she's alive, aren't you?" I ask knowingly. I'd known the moment Dr. Riley said something. "You saved her."

"I tried." Suddenly, a raspy cough overcomes him and the obvious pain that the action causes makes tears fall from my eyes. After a moment, the fit seems to pass, but it takes Gale another five minutes before he can find the strength to speak again. "The bombs . . ." He shakes his head. "They were mine." Tears fill his eyes. "If she dies . . ." He sucks in a sharp breath. "It's my fault."

"No it's not," I shake my head furiously. "You're a hero."

"I'm sorry," he says, his tears finally spilling over. The clear water turns bloody as it rolls in rivulets down his cheeks. "I was so . . . angry. With you. Snow. Everyone. I missed . . ." Another coughing fit overcomes him and each piercing choke is like a punch to my gut. Once Gale has enough breath to continue, his agonized voice is a mere wheeze. "I missed so much. I wasn't . . . there . . . for you. I still . . . love you . . ."

"I wish I didn't hurt you," I sob. "I'm sorry."

"No . . . don't be." Gale swallows, gasping slightly. His breathing is too shallow. Too quick. He doesn't have much time. "It . . . would never . . . have worked. You . . . need . . . him."

"I need you too."

"Not in . . . the same way." Gale suddenly starts to hyperventilate. "Should . . . have . . . accepted it. Should have . . . been . . . your . . . friend . . ."

"You are my friend," I assure him quickly, wiping away my tears furiously. "You're my best friend, Gale Hawthorne." I choke on a sob as he struggles to breathe, although he refuses to break eye contact with me. It's almost as though I'm the only thing keeping him alive, like he's holding on just to be with me a few seconds longer. My tears fall faster when I realize that it's true, and I'm filled with the need to make sure that he knows how much I love him. Not in the way he wants, but he needs to know that he will always hold a special place in my heart. "You're my . . . my best friend," I repeat as a swallow another sob. "You taught me how to live. You taught me how to survive, and I couldn't have . . . I couldn't have . . ." My sobs escalate when I see his eyes flicker closed. "No, come on, Gale! Fight!"

His eyes flutter open, and he stares at me fuzzily, as if he can't see me but knows I'm with him. "It's okay, Katniss," he says. "I'm okay."

"You'll always be my best friend," I whisper in a choked, tear-filled voice. "You always will be. There's no one better."

At my words, Gale manages a slight smile, and in this moment all the pain vanishes. "You . . . aren't so bad . . . yourself . . . Catnip."

Gale takes one last shuddering breath and then falls still.

I simply stare at his deathly form. It's all I can do. Stare and try to comprehend the fact that Gale Hawthorne, my very first friend, my best friend, one of the few people who cared for me when no one else did, is dead. Tears fall unchecked down my cheeks as I feel something in my heart shatter. I don't know when Peeta enters the room. Vaguely, I note his hand on my shoulder. He pulls me to my feet and begins to lead me out of the room, but I can't leave Gale. I don't know the words I shout at Peeta. I don't know how many times I hit his chest as I fight the steely hold of his arms. I don't know what he says to try to soothe me. It doesn't matter. Because no matter what he says, Gale is still dead.

"I'm sorry, Katniss," Peeta whispers as he clutches me to him, despite the fact that I'm probably bruising his already sore chest with my fists. "I'm so sorry."

And that's when all the fight leaves me, and I collapse in grief.

Later that night, the Rebels are officially named the victors of the war. People say that this day marks the Day of Independence. I feel no joy at the announcement. While everyone celebrates, I remain in my bedroom on the 12th floor of the Training Center, the very same room where I spent my last night with Peeta before the Quell. The entire penthouse is almost like a second home.

If I'm not sitting in my bedroom or taking care of Lilly, I'm on the roof. It's completely unchanged. The bright blossoms of the many plants still bloom fully. They must have been genetically enhanced to survive colder weather. I sit in the garden, in the spot where Peeta and I had our picnic. Sometimes Peeta joins me and we sit in silence. I know that he wants me to talk, but I'm afraid the moment I open my mouth I'll cry. And I'm tired of crying.

So I remain in a state of limbo. It's as though all the life has been sucked out of me. The only time I'm able to work up even a hint of something other than grief is when I have Lilly with me. Peeta tries to reach me, but his soft words only make me cry. I don't know why. Perhaps it's because he's not the person I want to reassure me. I want Gale.

But he's dead.

Prim is still in critical condition in the burn wing. I sit with her every day. The doctors were able to save her arm, but it's too soon to tell how much function she will regain. They try to pretend otherwise, but I know that they don't think she'll be able to make a full recovery. I try to remain positive, but it's so difficult.

On the third day after the war is won, Dr. Riley informs me that they found my mother's body amongst the rubble. She appears to have died in the bombings that took Gale's life as well. At the news, I only retreat further into myself. It isn't like the news of her death causes me grief. No, my grief stems from the fact that I know I should feel pain over her death. But I don't. Because, honestly, my mother has been dead to me for years. I simply grieve for the mother I could have had and lost.

I tell Prim about our mother that very same day. The news sends her into shock and she has to be sedated. The next time she wakes, she simply cries. I sit with her as she grieves, holding her uninjured hand. Prim hasn't spoken since I gave her the news.

Five more days pass. Through every hour of the day, as the week stretches on, I eventually feel my grief recede. Anger takes its place. Day after day, I feel the fire of my rage build within me, stoked by poisonous thoughts of Alma Coin. The bombs that took my mother and Gale were of Gale's design, but not of his doing. Coin gave the order. Coin is the reason that my best friend is dead. Coin is the reason that Prim is in the hospital. Coin is the reason for my pain.

"Katniss?"

Peeta comes to stand beside me. I'm on the roof again, staring out over the Capitol. Except, this time I'm not mesmerized by the twinkling lights and the sounds of the nightlife of the Capitol. All I see are wisps of smoke rising from burned buildings. Bloodstained streets. The Capitol no longer holds any grandeur. It's proven to be no different than any other city in Panem.

"You ready to talk, yet?" Peeta asks as he leans back against the railing so that he can see my face. "I'll listen."

"I know you would," I tell him honestly. "But there's nothing to talk about. Johanna is dead. Gale is dead. My mother. Prim is still in the hospital and will be for a long time. There's nothing I can do to change any of it. I couldn't save them."

"But you can avenge them," Peeta replies. "Talked to Haymitch earlier. We're celebrating the war's end tomorrow. You know what that means."

It means that tomorrow Alma Coin is going to die.

"I do." I finally look into his eyes. His blue eyes shine with determination and cold calculation. But the vengeful edge has vanished. Snow is dead. He's had his revenge. It's time I got mine. "I'll be ready."

"Katniss." I close my eyes at his soft caress of my name. "Let me in," he pleads softly. Gently, he pries my hands from the rails and pulls me to him. He cradles my face in his hands. "I love you. I need you. You've shut yourself off from everyone. Lilly is the only way you've been able to even attempt a smile. I know you're hurting, but let me help. Like you helped me."

"If I recall, you were very stubborn about accepting my help," I reply. "It took you months to open up."

"You're not me."

I stare at him for a long moment, taking in his earnest expression. His eyes are filled with a compelling light. I want to tell him. I want to scream at him every bit of anger that I feel. I want to cry and ask him why Gale and Johanna had to die. I want Prim to be perfectly fine and smiling. I want Johanna to be alive to crack a sarcastic insult. I want Gale to be alive so we could reconnect again. I want my mother to be alive so Prim will be happy. I want him to make everything okay again.

But Peeta can't fix this.

"You can't make anything different," I finally whisper pained. "There's nothing you can do to change what happened."

"I just want to see you happy again."

"After tomorrow it will be a lot easier to be happy. Are you ready?"

"Everything is in place," Peeta answers seriously. "Don't worry about it. Everything will go off without a hitch."

I nod before resting my forehead against his chest. His arms wrap around me protectively, securing me tightly to him. He rests his chin on the top of my head as his nimble fingers begin to massage my lower back in tiny circles. My eyes close and I sigh slightly, trying to calm myself as I hear the light beat of his heart. However, it isn't working like it normal would. Peeta's soothing fingers stop their motion when he feels me become even tenser than before. His arms release me slightly as he feels my breathing speed up due to my rage. I latch onto my fury with both hands, and let it's fire consume me. Fire is better than tears. Fire is power. And I know exactly what I want to do with this power. The words leave me fiercely, "I want to be the one to kill her."

"I won't stop you."

The next day everyone is on edge. Peeta and I are up early, once again placing Lilly in the care of Dr. Riley. We get ready in complete silence. The night before, Peeta, Haymitch, Finnick, Rye, and I had gone over the plan one final time. Due to his bullet wound, Rye can no longer be our driver. Finnick has to take the job, which means that he has to leave before any of us in order to knock out the driver, dawn his uniform, and take his place in the car. Rye is now our lookout.

I can only hope that everything went smoothly.

Haymitch, Peeta, and I arrive at President Coin's temporary apartment at promptly eight o' clock. The entire building has been taken over by District 13 higher-ups, the top floor having been transformed into a tentative Command center until other quarters can be found.

Even from blocks away, the sound of the cheering Rebel crowd already in place for the celebration resounds through the building. The streets are filled to the brim with people. Soldiers. Families. Children. Everyone is ecstatic that the war is won. They seem to have given little thought to who would assume power in Snow's absence.

Coin meets us in the lobby of the apartment building, her two personal bodyguards walking just slightly behind her on either side. I mentally size them up and decide that Peeta and Haymitch can take them down. Despite the fact that the men are bigger than both Peeta and Haymitch, my men still have the advantage. They're victors of the Hunger Games. When it comes to survival, we're unstoppable.

"Ah, Katniss, Peeta," she greets us with a disturbing smile. "How are you?"

"Glad it's over," Peeta replies genuinely. "I only wish some of our friends could have been here to see it all come to an end."

Coin frowns and tries her best to look apologetic. "Yes, I heard about Johanna Mason. Her sacrifice will be remembered and honored, I assure you." She suddenly turns to me. "And, Katniss, I'm terribly sorry about Soldier Hawthorne. He was a fantastic soldier."

"He was a hero," I reply evenly, although on the inside I'm fuming that she even dared to mention my best friend. "The world won't be the same without him."

"And your sister?" Coin continues. "How is she?"

"She'll be fine." It takes all my control not to lunge at her and just kill her now. Haymitch and Peeta would cover me. But I restrain my impulses. This has to be clean. We have a plan. We need to stick to it. So, I force myself to say, "Thank you for your concern."

Coin nods. "Of course." She takes a few steps toward us, stopping not two feet away. "I know that we didn't always agree," she says. "But you truly don't realize how critical you were to winning the war. You're the people's hope."

Which is exactly why you tried to kill us. And will again if we don't kill you first.

"Well," she says with a slight smile. "Let's get to the car, shall we? Don't want to be late."

We all walk out to the car, which is sleek and black and looks like it's been stretched. I hope that Finnick is driving. We all begin to pile into the car, but when Haymitch starts to enter the vehicle, Coin suddenly says, "Haymitch? Do you mind riding in the next car? I'd like to have a word with my Mockingjays."

There's a tense silence. I force myself to remain expressionless, but on the inside I'm panicking. Does she know? I want desperately to look at Peeta, to see what he thinks, but that would give us away. Instead, I start debating my chances against one of the 220 pound bodyguards and coming up with a plan of attack. Just in case.

Haymitch hardly reacts at all to Coin's request. To anyone else he seems merely annoyed, but I can see the concern in his eyes. He's worried, too. That's a bad sign.

"Of course," he replies, stepping out and backing away from the car. He makes eye contact with me and Peeta. "I'll see you two later."

And with that, Haymitch shuts the door.

However, before he vanishes from my sight, I see the shadows behind him move.

"Well, now that he's out of the way," Coin says the moment we start moving forward. "We can talk openly."

"About?" Peeta prompts, barely masking the tense quality of his voice.

"About killing you, of course," she replies and I curse fervently in my mind. "I must admit, the two of you are much harder to get rid of than I initially thought." Coin fixes her cold, grey eyes on Peeta. "I never expected you to last as long as you did in the Capitol torture chambers. You're one of the few who lasted more than a week. But nearly two months? I must say it's impressive."

"And you, Katniss," she continues. "You proved to be smarter than you look. But then again, I'm sure Abernathy warned you ahead of time of what could possibly happen should we win the war. The man's a thorn in my side, but he's brilliant. I'll give him that."

"So what now?" I ask, oddly calm. Maybe I'm getting too used to being on the verge of death. "What's your plan?"

"Plan?" Coin laughs. A cold, chilling sound. "Why think up a new plan when I can just use yours?"

Suddenly, the car stops and Peeta and I immediately try to make a break for it, but Coin's goons are expecting it. In the small confines of the car, I'm quickly overpowered. I simply don't have the strength. The guard grabs my hair and yanks me from the car.

I hear sounds of a scuffle inside the car. Peeta is putting up a fight. The glass of the back rear window shatters and suddenly Peeta tumbles out of the car, bleeding from a cut on his temple, but otherwise unscathed. He sees me still struggling with the guard and charges to my aid.

And then, quick as lightening, as if he had been lying in wait, another District 13 soldier appears out of nowhere. Before I can shout a warning, he slams the butt of his gun to Peeta's head, and I watch helplessly as he crumbles to the ground, groaning in pain.

I'm forced onto my knees by the guard, and he releases his grip on my hair. I'm about to try to spin around to kick him where the sun doesn't shine, but the feel of a cool metal barrel against the back of my skull causes me to freeze. I look to my right at Peeta, who is now on his knees three feet away. A gun is held to his head, too.

I hear the slight click of heels against pavement and look up to see Coin in front of us, looking incredibly smug. As if acting on some silent cue, five more soldiers step out of the shadows to surround us all. I close my eyes in defeat. Our only hope is Haymitch, but if the moving shadows that I saw behind him were District 13 soldiers, I know that more than likely, my mentor is dead.

"This really was a good plan," Coin says, looking at Peeta. "I imagine it was one of yours? You seem like a man who always has a plan."

Peeta just glares in response.

"But, you should be more careful as to who you share your plans with," she continues. "Can't have any loose lips."

She has a point. The only way she could have known of the plan was if someone told her. It couldn't have been me or Haymitch. That only leaves Johanna, Finnick, and Rye. My mind is instantly rejecting the idea. No. No. None of them would have betrayed us! It's not possible.

"Really, dear sweet Annie was all too helpful to tell all that she knew," Coin reveals with an evil smile and I realize what happened. Finnick told Annie. Coin got Annie to talk. How?

"What did you do to her?" I demand angrily.

"Oh, I hear people will do anything for love," Coin replies. "All I had to do was threaten Odair. She's an easy nut to crack. She told me everything. Really, the plan was brilliantly simple. I agree that Peeta and Abernathy could have overpowered my guards had we not been forewarned. And then of course, pulling into this alley . . . " She gestures to the narrow brick alley that surrounds us, easily masked from view unless you're looking directly at it. "A fantastic choice. You kill me. Fire a few bullets into the car. Make it look like an ambush of retaliating rogue Capitol forces. I'm impressed."

"I'll twist the story my own way, though," Coin says with a smile. "The violent attack on the President's car. The Mockingjays valiant attempt to protect their leader ends in tragedy. The nation will mourn your loss. You might even get a national holiday."

As I stare into Coin's eyes and take in the barren alley around us, I feel my heart sink. There's no help coming. Haymitch is probably dead. Finnick too, since he was obviously not driving the car. In reality, I can probably count Rye dead as well. If Coin knew about the plan, she must have known where he was stationed to be. I stare at the end of the alley in front of me. My eyes follow the fire escape up the wall to the roof of one of the buildings. The rooftop where Rye is supposed to be.

No one is there.

"You won't succeed," Peeta tells Coin angrily. "The people will revolt against you just as they did with Snow. Everyone knows a tyrant when they see one."

"Perhaps," Coin agrees. "But either way, Mr. Mellark, I'm afraid you won't be around to see it."

The conversation is coming to an end. Within the next few minutes, I will be dead. I look at Peeta and it's as if he senses my gaze. His eyes meet mine and I allow myself to get lost in them. They're so beautifully clear and blue, conveying so much emotion. His eyes are easy to read now. Regret. Acceptance. Sadness.

And love.

Tears fill my eyes. Coin is still talking, but I'm not paying attention to her. Neither is Peeta. I stare at him as he stares at me. The rest of the world fades away. It's just me and Peeta.

I tense at the sound of a gun cocking behind me. My eyes immediately look at the gun behind Peeta's head, its muzzle invisible in his curls.

"Katniss, look at me," Peeta says softly. "Look at me. It's going to be okay." My tears spill over when the gunman presses his muzzle tighter to Peeta's head, causing him to pitch forward slightly. "We're going to be okay. Say it."

"We're going to be okay," I whisper, tasting saltwater on my lips from my tears. "We're going to be okay."

". . . it's too bad dear Lilly will grow up without her parents. Don't worry, I'll tell her all about you."

Coin's mention of Lilly causes my tears to fall faster. My little girl. I'm so sorry, Lilly. I tried.

"Katniss, look at me!" Peeta's voice is more frantic. He knows we only have seconds left. "Look at me, beautiful. We're going to be okay."

"We're going to be okay," I repeat, fighting not to sob. "Peeta, I love you."

"I love you, too."

And then there's a moment where silence blankets the alley. Everything seems bright and clear. It's as if my eyes know it's the last time I'll ever be able to see the world around me, and so it's soaking up the image. I see Peeta in front of me, staring at me with a mix of love and pain reflected in his eyes. In my peripheral I see the red brick alley wall behind him. To my right is the black front bumper of the car. I can even see the dull reflection of the glass on the ground from the broken window. Strangely, in my last moment of life, I think it's beautiful.

Then the sound of gunfire echoes through the alley.

I'm so surprised that it takes me a moment to realize that the gun that went off was not the one pressed to the base of my skull. In fact, the cool metal is gone. Dazed, I stare at Peeta and see the guard that was holding him at gunpoint is lying on the ground. Dead.

The next minute is almost like a blur. It happens so fast. Peeta is suddenly diving for his captor's weapon and begins to fire upon the rest of the guards. I spin around to grab the gun from my own dead captor. Rye and Finnick have appeared out of nowhere, firing at the guards as well. Everyone has taken cover behind some form of protection from the bullets flying across the small confines of the alley.

Coin has momentarily disappeared in the midst of the action, but I don't focus on that at the moment. I dive behind a metal trash can, just as the ting of a bullet glances off the surface. My eyes scan the alley for an enemy shooter. The moment one steps out of his shelter, I fire a round. The kick of the gun causes me to tumble backward slightly.

What I wouldn't give to have my bow.

I see two more guards fall, leaving three more plus Coin. I scan the alley. Finnick is safely behind the open front door of the car, firing through the space where the window used to be. Rye is positioned the same way except on the opposite side. Peeta is firing from a slight alcove along the alley wall. Probably the entrance to the backdoor of a shop.

Suddenly, I see a flash of grey hair dart across the alley. Coin is trying to escape toward the street ahead of us. Without thinking, I dart from my cover, giving chase. Finnick and Rye provide cover fire as I chase down Coin. As I'm running, I feel a flash of pain in my side, but I ignore it.

And then Haymitch appears at the mouth of the alley, almost as if he was waiting for Coin to flee.

His clothes are disheveled and slightly torn. He's bleeding from multiple cuts to his torso and arms. A purple bruise has already formed on his cheekbone and a trickle of blood from a cut above his eye leaves trails of red along his cheek. Yet he looks stronger than ever. Anger has given him strength. His grey eyes are filled with a nearly primal look. Lethal.

He stares at Coin and she stares back at him. The alley is completely silent. Her soldiers are dead. She's the only one left. Stupidly, she turns around to run back toward me. Without a word I raise my gun and she stops in her tracks. I hear Finnick, Rye, and Peeta come up beside me, their guns leveled at Coin.

"Nowhere to go," Haymitch says coldly as he stalks forward. Coin, in a last ditch attempt, tries to dart around him.

Only to run right into Haymitch's knife.

"No one hurts my kids," he growls in her ear. "Go to hell, bitch."

Haymitch releases his grip on the knife, and Coin's body slumps lifelessly to the ground.

For a moment, no one speaks. All of us simply stare at Coin's dead body. Her sightless eyes wide open, her expression one of shock.

It's over, I think. It's finally over. We're safe.

"Well, it wasn't like we planned, but it worked out all right in the end," Rye says with a slight smile. "Let's go have a drink. If I remember correctly, there's still a party down the block."

"I could use a shot," Haymitch says, but then he looks at Coin. "We need to get some people down here first, though. Get the cover story out."

"Oh, yeah," Rye agrees. "Story time. Everyone, make sure to fully explain, in great detail, how awesome I am."

"Like you were any help," Finnick retorts. "You could shoot at your foot and still miss."

"Guys, just stick to the story we already came up with," Peeta says, still strictly serious.

Peeta is still talking, but for some reason, I can't hear him very clearly. My knees suddenly feel weak, my limbs heavy. A dizzy fog has settled in my brain. Is the ground moving beneath me? Why is everything turning upside down?

"Katniss, you okay?" Finnick asks. "You don't look so—oh, god! Katniss! You're bleeding!"

Almost in amazement, I press my hand to my stomach. Immediately, white hot pain races through my system at the touch. I pull my hand away and stare at the shiny red blood that coats my fingers.

"Someone shot me," I say, almost in wonder.

And then I collapse onto the ground. Voices chatter away in my brain. My vision begins to fade in and out. I'm able to distinguish one voice from all the others. His arms are the ones that have encircled me. Peeta.

"Katniss! Katniss, come on, stay with me!" he cries. I blink, trying to bring his face into focus. "Come on, beautiful, look at me!"

Blue eyes. Tear-filled blue eyes stare down at me. Begging me to stay. I want to tell him that, of course, I will stay. Slowly, his face comes into view. He's so handsome. Without thinking, I reach a hand up to touch his face. I marvel at the soft skin.

Suddenly, someone presses against my wound. The pain causes a cry to escape my lips and things become clearer.

"Peeta," I gasp in pain, black spots dancing around my vision.

"That a girl," he encourages, though his voice is trembling and thick with unshed tears. "Come on, Katniss. Look at me. It'll be okay. Haymitch is getting help. You'll be okay. You've got to be okay."

My vision is starting to fade again. Noises are becoming muffled. My eyes flutter closed.

"Damn it, Katniss! Stay with me!" Peeta's command forces my eyes to open. His tears have finally spilled over. He's sad. I don't want him to be sad. "Come on, beautiful. You can't leave me. Not now. Just keep your eyes open, okay? They're too pretty to be closed."

I want to listen to him, but the darkness is so inviting. It's peaceful. Painless.

"Katniss, please, don't leave me. I need you. Lilly needs you. You can't die."

Coldness begins to seep into my veins, but I find it soothing. It takes away the pain in my stomach.

"Please, please, Katniss . . . don't leave me. Don't leave me, please. You can't leave me. I love you too much. Come on, Katniss. Keep fighting. Don't give up!"

But the darkness . . . it's calling to me. I try to keep my gaze locked on Peeta. He's crying. I try to raise a hand to wipe away his tears, but I can't feel my arm. The coldness has taken it from me. The darkness is so tempting. It promises peace. That's all I want. Peace. Finally.

My eyes close.

"Katniss!"

A flash of pain.

"No! Please, beautiful, stay with me!"

And then nothing.

End.


Oh, yes I did.

That really just happened.

So! Um . . . yeah . . .

I only ask you guys to remember that you love me. Trust me. TRUST ME. Stick with me guys. You've come this far, don't quit on me now.

Summary Time!

Rye showed up dramatically in the last second to save the day, and together he and Finnick have become another dynamic duo; Prim is playing the quiet game while recovering from a very heated game of chicken; Haymitch IS the Godfather; Lilly is adorable; Peeta is inconsolable; Ding-Dong! The Witch is dead!; And so is Gale; And so is Johanna; And so is Mrs. Everdeen; and oh, yeah, as for Katniss, well, in the infamous words of one Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, "She's dead Jim."

Quote from the epilogue comes from . . . Peeta!

"It's the only way I'll make it through the day."

Lots of love,

AC