So we're finally here! The last chapter. Honestly, I never expected I would get here. But it's a great feeling, and I can't wait to get started on my next story! I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Crowning and Homecoming

Ajax Romero, 18, D2 Male

Emalynn Coria. That was the girl's name. And there was Raylie Hatchet and Briar Dogwood from 7. And Jollin was the boy from 3. When I got to the Capitol, I asked for the names of the younger tributes that had made an alliance. I had killed them all. And I felt terrible about it. But today I needed to act happy because I was about to be crowned Victor of the 100th Hunger Games. And all my family would expect me to be so happy about it. And I was. But I almost wished that I had been killed by Emalynn. She seemed like such a good person, and I had killed too many people to ever be considered a good person.

"Ajax, it's time for you to be crowned!" Athena burst into my room, looking extremely happy. "You're my first Victor, and boy, you are amazing! How you killed all those little kids! It seemed so heartless! Especially Emalynn. She seemed like such a sweet girl. But I'm very happy you made it out!"

"So I take it they didn't televise me apologizing to Emalynn?" I asked.

"You did what?" Athena asked.

"I apologized to her," I said. "I guess it was too much to hope that the Capitol would air that. I want people to know that I'm not completely heartless."

"I see," Athena said, nodding. "Well you can always talk about it today, at your interview. By the way, your tie is crooked."

She reached over and straightened it.

"Let's go," I said, standing up and gesturing for her to lead the way. "Also, have they hired a spokesperson yet? You know, someone that does all the interviews and stuff? I assume that's why they skipped the interviews at the beginning of all this."

Athena stopped in her tracks and shook her head. I noticed that not a single strand of the currently bright red hair moved, it had so much gel in it. "Not that I know of. Torrac Warsaw is conducting this interview. The Head Gamemaker."

"Wonderful," I said, smiling. "Lead the way."

"So, Ajax, how do you feel about winning the Hunger Games?" Torrac asked. This was my first interview, and I wasn't super nervous. Torrac seemed pretty normal, for someone who lived in the Capitol. The only thing out of the ordinary was his blueish green hair. And even that wasn't too crazy.

"Well, I feel on one hand, I feel extremely relieved. I mean, it's great being able to go back to my family," I started.

"But?" Torrac asked.

"But I also feel bad about all of it. There were some really good people in there, and Emalynn was one of them. I feel bad about being the one to make it back."

"I see," Torrac said.

"But it's also the most amazing thing ever!" I said, trying to save myself. "I feel so honored to be Victor. It's truly amazing, and I've been training my whole life for this. I can't wait to go back and see everyone."

Torrac smiled, and nodded. President Tides walked in. He stood up. A cameraman gestured for me to do the same. I quickly scrambled to do the same. She strode over to me, carrying a golden crown.

"Ajax Romero, I am pleased to crown you Victor of the 100th Hunger Games," she said, placing the crown on my head. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

Today I was finally going back home. Yesterday I had been crowned Victor, then I was allowed to go back to my room and just sit. Athena informed me that everyone loved me more, now that they knew I had a heart. And that everyone wanted to see me. But I refused, asking to get on the train in a place that nobody would be able to see me. I'd see them all on the Victory Tour.

But now I was on the train, heading back to District 2. I was excited to see my family, but I was also nervous. I hoped that my family would be proud of me, even though I felt bad for killing the kids.

"We're here!" Athena exclaimed. Today her hair was bright blue, matching her dress. "District 2! Don't you just love it here!"

"Yeah," I said.

"Well let's go! Time for you to see your family!"

She led me out of the train into an empty station. I had requested that nobody be allowed to greet me when I got off the train. It was an unusual request, but I just wasn't ready to face everyone. Athena ushered me into a car with dark windows. She banged on the window separating us from the driver, and we began moving.

"Are you excited to see your family?" Athena asked.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "It'll be nice. Wait this isn't the way to my house."

"Yes it is," Athena said. "You're a Victor now. You get to live in the Victor's Village!"

"Right," I said. "Forgot about that."

The Victor's Village was huge. At one point, there had been so many living Victors from my District that they had to expand our District to make room for more houses. But now they were getting old, and people were dying. There were still a few living Victors. I hoped that there were enough guys that I wouldn't have to mentor next year. I don't think that I could deal with that.

We pulled up to a new looking house at the edge of the village.

"Go on," Athena said, pushing me out of the car. I got out and walked up to the house and opened the door. My mom grabbed me before I registered that there was anyone on the other side of the door.

"Congratulations!" she yelled.

My dad was standing behind her smiling.

"I knew that you could do it," he said.

"Thanks guys. It's so good to see you!"

"I'm glad you didn't come back in a casket, son," my dad said.

"Yeah, me too," I said.

"I heard that you wished you had though."

"No, of course not," I said. "I was just saying that. I'm happy to be home."

And I was. It was nice to be alive.

I hoped you enjoyed this story! Thanks you for coming on this looong journey with me! I will make sure that my next one doesn't take as long! Make sure to submit tributes to The 101st Games, my next story!