The End [Francesca's Finale]

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I watch the sword go cleanly into her stomach, just as it should be. No one wants a crazy tribute for a Victor anyways, I muster the thought. I try to look at the bright side of all of this; well try isn’t the right word exactly. It’s more like seeing as it’s plain and clear to see what I’m looking at, my freedom. My freedom from the harsh world that I know, from the monstrosity of the Capitol and the hideous façade that we choose to believe in. We aren’t free living in the police state of Panem, “But I’m finally free in Death’s embrace” I hear myself say as I look at my body collapse, the sword free from the fleshy sheath.

“Happy now?” the young warrior from Five asks of my now disheveled body.

“Yes, we’re finally free now. Thank you.” We reply in unison she’s staring up at the sky, me looking upon the whole scene, standing hidden within the fog. I wonder if she knows that I’m out here, maybe she doesn’t, but I don’t care. I’m no longer the hollow shell that no longer breathes on the shore line. I’m no longer the crazy girl who “talks to herself” in the halls, I’m no longer the Career skilled in the ways of killing and murder. I will be forever immortalized as the bright, cheerful, happy girl that came into these Games with a determination to live. No one ever truly wins the Hunger Games. I’ve seen plenty of Victors back home who are damaged by the traumatic experience of being surrounded by Death, having him call for you every night and day counting your every inhale and exhale. Just waiting, watching,

Does Death actually have a list of people are going to die? I ask myself as my cannon goes off. It’s the generic cannon that goes off with every other death, the loud BOOM echoing throughout the hallowed dome of the Arena. Is there even a cannon or just a sound effect? I wonder that as well when the stair case appears.
The fog dissipates into the air, revealing a simmering stair case resembling a wooden one. Then Ignatius appears at the top of the visible one that I can see. He simply brings his out offering it to me with a sad yet genuine smile across his lips, and that’s all I need to take off running. Up the stairs and up to him as I embrace him in a tight hug and he laughs, and I finally get an answer for once.

“I’m still not death you know, I just thought you might wanted to see me again.” He says in a pseudo-somber tone and I start crying. Laughing at the same time, yet the hot tears are rolling down my face as I hug him even tighter; knowing that my brother still loved me even after everything that I told him. Yes my brother that is what he’ll always be to me. Just because no one else can see him doesn’t make it any different just, more special. I don’t want to remember anything else from back then, I just want to move forward and “I want to go home,” I reply to Iggy as I release him, playfully punching his shoulder in the process.

His smile brightens as he takes my hand and leads me up, and as the Arena and the world below disappear I see a light unlike any other. Ignatius has led me to where the lovers play, as Argo and Magenta are holding hands and having a picnic. To where the friends reconcile as Ares pats Argo on the back as he joins in, taking a plate for him. To where the family reunites as Hannah, still seductive as always, takes the spot next to Ares as the laugh and talk about who knows what. But most importantly Iggy has taking me to where I belong as I take my place with Ignatius at my side amongst the only friends that I’ve known happy and peaceful as always for where ever we are, it only peace, and joy, and love and I know that I am finally home.

The End

Acknowledgements

-To the members of XOXO, Kay, Dars, Cato, and Spesh, thank you for making these Games a fun experience and for being my alliance members I have learned so much from you all and I’m honored that you wanted me as an alliance member

-To Kay you are an amazing person as a whole and you have taught me so much in general I can never thank you enough! But I also want to say thank you for Argo because he helped Francesca grow in ways that I never thought that she could and he helped her out in so many ways, he was a great character and I’m sad to see him go. He will always be in my heart.

-To Cato, man I’m so sorry it turned out the way it did but thank you for being an amazing alliance member and a great friend! I’m so sorry about Ares he was a great character and sorry about everything else that happened in the Games.

-To Dars and Spesh, thank you guys so much for everything that you taught me! I wish I had more time with Magenta and Hannah to get to know them but you guys are just amazing!!

-To Ro and South for making these Games such a huge success, for your hard work and dedication ,you guys had a beautiful Games.

-To Aya for being my mentor. You answered my questions no matter they may be and I saw the softer side of the Evil Overlord.

-To Lulu and Aya, thank you for being the badasses that you two are and making this an awesome place to be!

-To Python, thank you for an amazing final fight, I’m sorry about Laila, she helped Francesca learn about herself and gave her such great strength and knowledge in her final day.

-To Thundy for being an amazing Victor after what 7 tributes?!? Colgate will be great!!

-To the tributes of the 66th Hunger Games, who helped make these Games epic, thank you

-And to the site, for being a great community of amazing and awesome writers who are helpful, genuinely nice, and just great people to be around!