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𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦

chapter ten !

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The Hunger Games had been completed and Juniper Wildsong won. Yes there was a victory but still she couldn't stop feeling so guilty for all those deaths.

Even with the death of the tributes, she still felt like she didn't belong anywhere anymore.

With both of her legs pushed up to her chest and her eyes fixed on the window, Juniper sat by herself. The train accelerates along the tracks, the sky was gloomy and dull.

When the captiol found out about the rat poison and who gave it to her, she was banished to go back to District 12. At least she could see Willow and Lucy Gray, but she didn't know if she could see Coriolanus.

She had no idea where Coriolanus was even now. She knew that he was punished for cheating by helping June win the games.

She wanted Coriolanus's comfort after all that had happened, he would know what to say to keep her happy or at least distracted.

However, she couldn't help but wonder about the other tributes—Reaper, Wovey, Dill. They had all given up something to grant her that triumph. She couldn't even bear to think about their family.

The train slowly pulled into District 12 with a jolt bringing June and her thoughts back to where she was. It took her a moment to realise that she'd actually made it back home.

She stumbled out of the train, her eyes quickly adjusting to the difference in lighting. The first thing June noticed was the changes that had occurred in her absence.

The small green spaces had gone and most of the trees were long dead from the constant pollution. When she looked around only the Mayor's office was the same as she remember it.

People were talking and whispering as she took a step out of the train. She looked around to see any familiar faces but none were present.

After taking a quick look around June began to make her way home. She was filled with an immense dread over what she might find in the place she called home. She just wanted to get there and be safe.

Eventually June saw the house that was once home come into view, the house that now seemed to be a place for a stranger.

The dread turned into a heavy weight in her chest, it had been so long and yet here she was back, where she had hoped never to be again.

But that dread was soon washed away when saw her sister, Willow once again. "June?" Willow slowly turned around noticing her sister.

"Willow." She sighed happily. The two reunited again and held onto each other like it was their last hug. "I'm so happy you're alive." Willow looked up smiling.

June's heart ached at Willow's relief when she saw her, "You thought I would never come back, is that it?" June asked and her sister simply nodded, still hugging her tightly.

"It's okay, I understand," Willow said and she pulled away long enough to stroke her sister's hair like she'd done so much in their youth.

"We thought you were gone." Lucy Gray pushed her before pulling her into a tight hug, "You scared me, Juni." Lucy told her as she held on to the girl.

"It's okay," June told both her sister and her friend. "I'm glad to be home."

But all June could think about were the tributes she left behind when the moment of celebration faded and their excitement subsided.

Willow and Lucy had been there for her, but they would never understand what she had done.

Then there was Coriolanus who had given up everything to help her win, but he had been exiled from the capitol. And there was still no word on his whereabouts.

Lucy and Willow could only look on in fear and worry as their friend sat in deep thought.

June was consumed by the memories of all the tributes who had to suffer for her to win.

"June," Lucy said nervously. "Is everything okay?"

"June?" Willow echoed also anxious. But June stayed silent, she couldn't begin to think of what she could possibly say to assuage their anxiety.

They had no idea what she had lost to win the hunger games. They didn't understand the burden of guilt that now haunted her.

Juniper forced herself to be brave and did her best to hold it in. "I just really tried, but I'm fine." She spread her arms in a fake yawn.

𓆙

"Let's give a warm welcome to our talented Juniper Wildsong!" A voice spoke into the microphone and the crowd was already cheering.

By the time June settled down in her home, a few members of the Covey wanted her to perform. They missed her and they wanted to her lovely voice again.

June tried her hardest to forget about everything that had happened but the weight was still on her shoulders.

She knew she had to keep on going, though. She had her family and her friends waiting for her to sing and dance again. She put on a smile and returned to the things she loved doing the most.

This time, though, it wasn't to get sponsors or win the Hunger Games.

This time, it was simply because she loved doing it. Singing was her decision, perhaps it would help her forget about her suffering.

"District 12, did you miss me?" She approached the microphone as she came onto the stage and began speaking. June grinned widely as the crowd let out even more cheers.

June knew how much her voice meant to her fans, especially those from District 12.

This time, she had to set her worries aside and let her voice take center stage. After the greeting, she took a deep breath and began to sing.

"Now why don't i sing, huh. That is what y'all came for." She smiled to the audience who all agreed.

Juniper took a deep breath in before she sang, "You can't take my past. You can't take my history. You could take my Pa. But his name's a mystery." A few cheers were heard as she strung her guitar Coriolanus gifted her. "Nothing you can take from me was ever worth keeping."

The others began to play their instruments while behind her. With their companions, the crowd began to dance, and June grinned. "Oh, nothing you can take from me was ever worth keeping." She started playing her guitar more comfortably as the others joined her.

As she looked around the crowd, standing against a wall was a familiar face hoped of seeing again one day. With an infectious smile on his face, it was obvious someone was gazing at her. It was Coriolanus Snow.

He was relieved to see her emerge onto the stage. thrilled to discover she was still alive. He thought she may be dead. Juniper also felt the same happiness when she saw him. She was so relieved to know that he was okay, that he was alive.