A/N: Thank you all for your patience as I wrote this story. Enjoy the very last chapter of Sharp Objects!


Chapter 10: Epilogues


Mare Robinson, age 16
Friend of Hampshire

One day after the Games

He was so close.

But we all knew that there was no way Hampshire could beat a fully trained Career in one-on-one combat. My best friend will come back to District 10 in about two days' time - dead, in a simple wooden box. And by tradition, his funeral, a Tribute's Funeral, will be held on the same day. As the sun sets, he will be laid to rest in the Cemetery of Tributes. That is, unless Hampshire's next of kin have other plans.

There's a knock on the door. I go to answer it, but my younger brother, Stallion, has already opened it. I recognize Hampshire's family: his father, older brother, and younger sister. They all look depressed.

"Hello Mare, hello Stallion," Hampshire's brother says quietly. "We're here because we'd like to invite you to Hampshire's burial."

"Thank you," I say with a sad smile. "Stallion and I will be at the Cemetery of Tributes."

"We actually have other plans," Hampshire's father says, squeezing his eleven-year-old daughter's hand. "We've decided to bury Hampshire in our private property."

"That way my brother will have the right name and nobody can stop it," Georgia says, looking far too young for this.

"I see," I say, nodding as I understand completely. "When is the burial?"

"The day after tomorrow," Mr. Fairway says somberly. "Feel free to come by anytime that day."

"Will do," I say, as Stallion nods. "Would you like anything from us right now? If you want, you can come in and sit down for a while, I'm sure my mom won't mind."

Mr. Fairway shakes his head. "We were on our way to invite Harry and Charlotte to the burial as well," he says.

"Then please, let me and Stallion come with you," I say. "It's a long walk, and your family doesn't have to do it alone."

The Fairways pause. Then Mr. Fairway nods.

"Thank you," he says softly. "Thank you for being Hampshire's friend."


Iris Prescott, age 34
Mother of Athens

Three days after the Games

"Mom?"

"What is it, Hero?" I say to my youngest son, not turning to him as I continue to stare at Athens's grave.

"I think someone wants to talk to you."

"Who?"

"I… don't know. I don't recognize her."

I turn around. A young woman stands there, holding a small baby.

"If you're here to pay tribute to my son, we're his family and we'd appreciate some more time," I say with a sigh. "I'm sure you'd understand…"

"Of course," the young lady says with a nod. "Take all the time you need."

"What's your name?" my husband asks from next to me. "Are you - were you a friend of Athens?"

"I…" the woman hesitates. "I'm here because… I think you should know that Athens has a daughter."

"What." My other son, Artem, says flatly.

"Athens was a father and he didn't tell us?" I ask, massaging my temples. "How? What happened?"

The woman takes a deep breath. "This isn't what you'll want to hear," she says, holding the baby closer to herself, "but your son and I got drunk at a party. I think you can connect the dots. I decided to raise the child alone because it was me who was at fault. I was nineteen years old when it happened, and Athens was sixteen. The responsibility is all mine to bear, but… I thought I should let you know."

We're all silent for a while as everything sinks in. The baby begins to fuss, and I stare at her. My granddaughter…

"What's her name?" I ask the woman.

"Huh?"

"My granddaughter. Athens's child. What's her name?"

"Her name? Athena."

"What a perfect name," I murmur, sobbing. I hold out my hands. "Athena, don't cry. Your grandma is here."

"Would you like to hold her?" the woman asks.

"Yes," I say, as I take the fussing baby from the stranger. As I stare into my granddaughter's eyes, I can't imagine giving her back to her mother.

Maybe we won't have to…


Elise Underwood, age 20
Sister of Aurora

One week after the Games

All in all, things haven't changed much. We're still one of the most well-off families in the District, which I'm grateful for, though living next to the likes of the Magpies and the Golds will take some getting used to.

My family is eating breakfast together before going our separate ways for the weekday morning. Tobias, my younger brother, will be off to school soon and will probably be the first one of the family to leave the house because he likes to get to school early so that he can read in the library. Anya, my older sister, will make her way to the Justice Building nearby because she works there as Deputy Mayor of District 1. Dad and I will take the car to the jewelry company - it's a bit far now that we've moved, but with the car the commute should take less than an hour. And Aurora…

"We're going back to the hospital today to visit Phillip," my Victor sister says as she eats her last spoonful of breakfast. "Heidi, Topaz, Will, and I are gonna keep him company as he and his family make headway on his discharge paperwork."

"That's very kind of you, Aurora," Dad says, putting his fork down. "Have you thought about what your Victor's Talent will be?"

"I have a little," Aurora says. "I'm leaning towards jewelry crafting or something related to puzzles."

"Pick puzzles," Anya suggests. "Cashmere's Victor's Talent is jewelry crafting."

"Since when have I cared much about standing out?" Aurora says with a smile. "I'll think about it some more though."

"So how are you going to fill the days now that you're a Victor, other than crafting and spending time with your friends?" I ask Aurora.

"I've been thinking about being an Academy Trainer," Aurora says. "I'm not sure what kind, but I'll definitely encourage everyone to pick up every weapon at least once… after all, in the Hunger Games, you can never be too proficient with sharp objects."

-END-