Hebe Dagnus, District Six Victor

Whoever was at the door had been knocking for ten solid minutes before Hebe answered. She was hoping that if she ignored it, they would think she wasn't home or realize she didn't want to talk to anyone or any number of sensible conclusions. Instead, they just kept knocking. Even when she did open the door, she fully intended on shutting it mere seconds afterwards.

Except standing in her doorway was one of the few people she actually wanted to see.

"Thirteen years." Kaenas said to her, "I've been fixing up that crossbow for thirteen years, and you give her to a tribute who kicks it into a lake."

"I'm sorry." she answered, and stepped back so that the man from Ten could come inside.

He did so with a strange shuffling gait that allowed him to keep facing her. The man was clearly hiding something behind his back. She thought about asking about it, but decided he would show her when he was ready.

Instead she clarified her apology. "Well I'm not sorry for giving Daphne to Astra. You would not believe what I had to do to make that happen, and you definitely wouldn't believe that I'd do it all over again too. But I am sorry that I didn't tell you. The reason I was keeping her in working order… I always knew I would give Daphne to someone. It just felt right. She helped me win my Hunger Games, so I wanted her to help someone else too."

As she talked, Hebe realized that her plan had worked. The very last casualty in the 93rd Hunger Games was caused by a crossbow bolt to the heart. Daphne had brought a tribute home. It just wasn't the one Hebe expected.

"I understand." Kaenas said after a brief pause, "I'm still a little upset, but I understand. Although I imagine I'd be more frustrated if it wasn't for this."

He brought his hands out from behind his back and Hebe let out an earsplitting shriek. The older victor brought his hands to his ear on instinct, and Daphne the crossbow tumbled to the ground.

"You saved her. Thank you so much Kaenas. I can't even describe how thankful I am. You saved her. How did you do it?" The words tumbled out of Hebe's mouth in a disorganized mess as she reached down to pick up the crossbow. A supreme mix of joy and sadness hit her as she touched the familiar weapon.

"Technically I didn't." He said, "An avox brought it to me with a note. Apparently Serena May clung to it so tightly it came back to the Capitol with her. And someone at the intake center realized you might want it back."

Hebe's voice was barely above a whisper, "I did. It was always the plan, but… well I missed her."

"I know." Kaenas said, his voice patient and solid.

"The worst part?" she said, scoffing bitterly, "It worked. Anthracite isn't the Victor. No one can use her any more. The rebellion is growing steadily. Everything I wanted to happen, happened."

"Not everything." Kaenas rebutted.

"No. Not everything."

Kaenas sat down on her couch and patted the empty space beside him. Hebe walked over and sat down as well. "I can't say I know much about all of this mockingjay business. But I've been mentoring enough to know about grief."

"That's most of it anyway." Hebe admitted, "I never really wanted Astra to be a mockingjay. I don't think we need one."

Kaenas seemed confused at that, "I suppose the last rebellion is so clear in my mind I didn't even think about there not being a mockingjay. What would that look like?"

Hebe leaned her head against her friend's shoulder and looked up at her ceiling. "Like… people. Just a bunch of people, trying to make a better world."

Horatio Wren, Capitolite

"That's it?" Horatio asked.

"That's it." The officiant said, his voice full of thinly veiled boredom,"There may be a small processing period. But the paperwork has all been taken care of. Your half of your brother's assets are officially yours. Once again, I am sorry for your loss Mr. Wren."

It was strange to hear someone address him with that title. Technically, Horatio had always been a Mr. Wren. But that title always referred to his eldest brother. Like everything the Wrens owned, Augustus controlled it. But now he was dead, and the dead didn't control anything.

"Thank you." he said, a little unsure if that was the correct response. There were many things that had to be done in the wake of Augustus' death. A funeral to plan, a will to read, official declarations of death sent to the relevant government branches. Yet the thing Horatio found hardest to deal with was his own emotions. Death was a terrible thing, after all. He mourned for strangers in the Hunger Games. Yet all he felt right now was an overwhelming sense of relief.

He was free now.

Horatio heard the door open as the officiant left his apartment, as well as some strange scuffling noises shortly afterwards. It was difficult to make out, but there may have been more than one set of footsteps. Eventually there was a knock on the door and a voice called out.

"Horatio. It's me, Dax. Is this a good time?"

He found himself chuckling despite the ostensibly grim circumstances, "Do you always show up unannounced, or is it just with me?" He asked.

Footsteps started again as Dax walked closer, then sat down beside him. "I'm sorry. I probably should have. I was just in the neighborhood, and I realized I could have called or I could knock, and well… yeah I probably should have called."

"You're rambling." Horatio chided gently, "Why are you so nervous?"

"Because if I'm honest, I'm not sure if you'd actually want to see me." Dax said.

"Why wouldn't I want to see you?"

"Because I was right there. If I hadn't left the room, your brother wouldn't have been able to sneak in and-"

"And he'd continue to hurt everyone he came in contact with." Horatio interrupted, "If you could stop him at all. It's possible you would have been injured, and that would have been far worse."

Dax shifted uncomfortably beside him, "Still. He was your brother."

"I don't feel bad. Like at all." Horatio admitted, "Does that make me a terrible person?"

"I'm starting to think I'm a terrible person, so I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask." Dax said.

Horatio remembered a similar conversation he had not very long ago with Hebe. She told him that she believed it was harder for people like him to be good, because he had more to lose. Thinking back on everything he allowed through inaction, he was starting to think that she might be right.

"I'm going to try to be better. I'm not sure how, but it's time to do something. I'm done with spending my whole life on standby. And I'm sure I will mess up sometimes, but...but I have to try."

Dax leaned forward and kissed him.

Serena May Lenovius, District Seven Victor

Life didn't quite seem real any more. It was night, but the lights of the Capitol shone through her window in various patterns. Everyone around her told her to get some sleep. She was still recovering from injuries, they told her, and the whole Mr. Wren accident had to have been traumatic. Get some sleep. She was safe now.

Serena May didn't feel safe. Her meeting with Mr. Wren confirmed it. Perhaps no one would be trying to kill her any more, but there were some fates worse than death and some threats far more insidious.

Just as she was thinking this, there was a knock on her door. She bolted upright, reaching for her desk lamp on instinct. Her escort told her that the reflex would fade in time, but Serena May wasn't certain she believed her. The knock sounded again, soft and polite, and she went forward to answer.

It was Tullia, one of the avoxes she had befriended before she went to the Hunger Games. The pregames felt so distant now, just as unreal as everything else around her. It took Serena May a few minutes to even remember who the woman was.

I'm sorry to bother you Tullia signed, But an acquaintance of mine wants to talk to you. And starting tomorrow you're going to be incredibly busy. Would you mind following me?

Serena May nodded and followed the avox. They walked to the back of the kitchen, through the staff quarters, and down a service elevator she hadn't been able to use before. After a few more minutes of being led through plain white hallways, Tullia turned into a plain room where another avox sat at a table.

The person was tall and muscular, though their facial features and clothing styles were fairly androgynous. Hello Serena May, they answered, I've been told you understand Sign.

I do, she signed back, It's actually my preferred way of speaking.

Mine too. Even before I became and avox.

Serena May was intrigued, and sat down across from the person. Why did you want to talk to me? She asked.

Because Tullia has told me about you. And other avoxes. You made friends during the pregames, among those most people ignore. You are as compassionate as you are practical. And you also don't draw a lot of attention.

You want something from me. Serena accused. She knew she could have been more polite, but it was late and she had just murdered someone. She was not in the mood to be manipulated.

Sort of. They admitted, I believe we have mutual interests is all.

And what would those be? She asked.

Behind her, Tullia closed the door, and even though they were alone, the avox leaned forward and kept their hand motions small. I should introduce myself. They call me the Ace of Spades, and I am part of a group attempting to overthrow the Capitol. I'm asking you if you'd like to join the rebellion.

Serena always thought quickly, but this time she didn't need to. She already knew the answer.

Of course.

AN: and that's it! Desolation is finished. This has been such an incredible journey, and I want to thank everyone who submitted. And who read. And who commented. Just… thank you.