As I journey through the districts, one by one, I make sure to leave flowers at the graves of my allies. Sylva and Rycin both go out of their way to make sure that I can slip away to the tribute cemeteries. We're required to make a trip to our district's cemetery once a year, a "pilgrimage," they call it, to remember the losses over the years as a result of our rebellion. People who lost kids in the arena tend to go more than once. These flowers aren't real, meaning they will last as long as they need to. I'll be able to leave fresh flowers at Bran's grave every now and then, but I needed something more lasting for the others. I don't know when I'll be back in the other districts again. I just want someone to see them.

I even leave flowers at Giemci's grave. I've had a lot of time to think these past six months. I realized that she was just a scared teenager in the arena. She didn't want to die, and while she wasn't the only one, it's understandable. Not forgivable, but understandable, and besides, it doesn't feel right leaving her out.

When I set out on my Victory Tour, I was concerned about how the other districts would receive me. Unfortunately, not caring how others feel about me is harder than it sounds.

I was well-received in Districts Ten, Six, and Two. I even got a chance to speak to some of the families. Drake and Jenny's loved ones hugged me tightly. I was thanked for being there at the end, for trying to keep their children alive for as long as I could. Giemci and Lincolns's family avoided me, out of guilt and shame for their daughter's actions, I would later learn.

Two was the hardest, with Camdyn's little brother being the only person standing on the stage for her. When I was able to slip away to the graveyard, I found him at her grave, all by himself. We stood there for a moment, not speaking. I wordlessly handed Gaius one of the lilies I brought for Camdyn, and we lay them at her grave together. "I miss her," Gaius says quietly. "This year will be my first Reaping and she won't be there."

"I…" I take a deep breath, trying to find my words.

Tears begin to spill from Gaius's eyes. "Brutus told me that she died honorably and that I should be proud, but I just wish she was here now."

I place a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She will be there, Gaius. Maybe not physically, but she'll be there."

"How do you know?" he asks curiously.

"Because you have her memory. I do too. I know it's not as good as her actually being here, but try to think of all the good times you two had together. All those happy memories. If you keep them close, then she'll never truly be gone."

Gaius thinks about that for a moment, then gives me a watery smile. "Yeah, that makes sense."

"Gaius!"

I look up to see Brutus carefully approaching. "Oh!" Gaius says. "I have to go now." He throws his arms around me and hugs me tightly. "I'm really glad she had you as a friend. Maybe we can be friends too?"

"I'd like that, kid," I say with a laugh. "I'd like that a lot."

Gaius presses his lips to his fingertips and places his hand on the gravestone. Then, as if he remembered something, he reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small piece of bread, and crumbles it over the grave. "I'll bring more next time, Cam!" he says before scampering off towards Brutus.

I thought that when I looked at my mother's ally, friend, and killer I'd know what to say, but perhaps there was never a need to say anything. I just give him a smile and a nod, hoping I can convey just how much I don't blame him, especially now that I'm a victor myself, and how much I'm thankful for him. He returns the nod and I catch a hint of gratitude and pride in his eyes as he leads Gaius away.

It's late afternoon when the train returns to District Nine. I'm still emotionally exhausted from District One, where the carefully concealed resentment created tension that could be cut with a knife, and the Capitol, where I was not once given a moment to breathe.

I'm given about an hour to rest at home before it's time for the festivities. I grew up attending Victory banquets, but this is the first one that's been thrown by the Capitol in my lifetime. It's overwhelming in comparison to the small dinners of my childhood.

There are cameras, photos, and speeches, so many speeches. I'm even asked to play the fiddle even though I decided against it being my talent. My fiddle was mine and mine alone. I wanted to play on my own terms. I give them a performance anyway. I play the national anthem as requested, a piece that leaves a sour taste in my mouth, then I follow it up with the piece I had been writing when I left home six months ago.

When I was moving my stuff from Sylva and Rycin's place and into my own, I found it sitting on the music stand, right where I left it. As soon as I was moved in and alone in my new house, I sat down in the study with my fiddle and began writing.

When asked what it was called, I simply said, "Autumn Leaves."

Not to brag, but by the time my piece draws to a close, there's not a dry eye in the audience.

It's around sunrise when I am finally able to sneak away to the tribute graveyard, having handed my fiddle off to Rycin for safekeeping and having grabbed fresh flowers from a vase at home. Thank goodness that the tribute graveyard is a quick walk from Victor's Village. I'd rather not be seen away from the party, and I certainly am no longer in the mood to answer questions.

I know the plot where Bran's grave is by heart now. I try to visit occasionally, even if it's just to say hi, and to change out the flowers.

I smooth my dark grey skirt and slowly lower myself to the snowy ground, ignoring the cold that bites into my legs. I place a hand on the gravestone.

Bran Crawford

52 – 66

66th Hunger Games, 9th Place

Beloved Son, Brother, and Friend

There's a strange sense of pride attached to that last line. Bran's family were so distraught, so guilty of the distance that had grown between them and him, that they wanted to do more to honor him than the generic gravestone tributes normally get. His father nearly got whipped for even asking, but I caught wind of the situation and stepped in. After slipping the stonemason some extra money, I was able to get this grave for him.

Bran deserved more than any of us could give him, but I could at least give the boy who befriended me so easily a better resting place.

"Hey, you," I say quietly, resting the flowers against the stone. "I'm back from my tour. I got to go see the others, leave flowers at their graves too."

I pause, almost expecting a response but knowing I won't get one.

"I hope you like these," I continue. "I was barely able to get away from the party and get them to you." I chuckle. "I ditched my own victory party. That's actually kind of funny now that I think about it."

I can almost hear Bran laughing along with me. The thought brings tears to my eyes.

"I know I got to go to your funeral, say goodbye there, but it didn't feel like enough. You were such a wonderful person. I wish things could have been different, I really do. You taught me so much in the brief time we had together. I'll never forget that. I'll never forget you."

The sky is starting to lighten. The sun is peaking over the horizon. It occurs to me that I should head back before I'm missed, but I still linger for a few more moments. "Thank you, Bran. For everything."

I slowly rise and brush the snow off of my dress. I head for the exit, past the empty space where I myself would have been buried had I not survived, where the next boy who dies in the arena will be laid to rest.

I live by that final promise I made every day. While some days are better than others, I've done my best to treat them like the gifts they are.

I turn my gaze up to the sky and watch the snowfall. "I hope I'm doing a good job," I whisper to no one in particular. "I hope I've made you all proud."

As I cross the gates, I feel the warmth of the sun on my face.

The End

I hope everyone enjoyed this epilogue. As much as I wanted to describe all of Amber's grave visits, it seemed like a bit much, so I kept it to the two visits that I knew would hold the most meaning: Bran and Camdyn. Amber meets Gaius for the first time, and while he has Brutus looking after him, Amber will also be very involved in his life and will become something of an older sister to her. Trust me, we have not seen the last of him. I also included her meeting Brutus and while the two didn't exchange words (neither being talkers), Amber was able to express her gratitude to him for his alliance with her mother. I also included Bran's because he was Amber's first friend, and he was so important to her. It was such a heartfelt experience writing this, and I hope you felt the same way while reading it.

And that's that, folks! I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story. There are a bunch of people I wanted to thank for their support. I'd like to thank my fiancé, who let me bounce ideas off of him despite not being a Hunger Games fan himself, and for confirming that the fruit salad idea was ridiculous and thus solidified its place in history as the source of the family curse. I'd also like to thank the good people on the Verses Discord for welcoming me with open arms. I would especially like to give a huge shoutout and thanks to QueenOfMorning37. Your reviews and enthusiasm never failed to put a smile on my face, and even gave me a few ideas throughout the story. Last but certainly not least, I'd like to thank all of you, dear readers, for partaking in this journey with me. Amber's story was such a joy to tell, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I'll be officially starting A Single Moment before you know it! I have one more prologue written and that should be up very soon. I have ideas for a third one, and then after that, we'll be ready to get started! Once I have all the forms, I'll start intros so stay tuned for that! It may be a few weeks due to wedding and holiday stuff, but I can't wait to start!

Here's to Cursebreaker, a story that I will always hold dear to my heart. Thanks for reading! Astral, out!