I’m a story teller. It’s my nature to care about the characters of a good story. I want to know how they’re doing 10 years later. What happened to the people who were left behind? I fantasize about this with favorite movies.

Over the last hard, snowy winter and while I was healing from a lifetime living in survival mode, I watched and re-watched The Hunger Games movies over and over. I see the parallels in my life with those on the screen. I learned about myself as I watched. But then, I began wondering what happened to all of the characters. We know Katniss and Peeta had 2 kids. We hear about Gale and Katniss’s mom but I don’t think that’s all.

So here’s my own story of what happened after the last movie.

Peeta and Katniss had 1 more child after the one you see in the movie. She was named Primrose, after her sister. Peeta, with help from the Capitol, was able to rebuild the bakery and built their life into a prosperous one. District 12 was rebuilt and many of those who escaped with Gale, moved back.

Haymitch stayed in District 12 as well. Effie visited often in the first couple of years and she and Haymitch finally fell in love and married. Haymitch became the Mayor of District 12. Effie and Haymitch never had children but they spoiled Katniss’s children and became their Godparents. Effie maintained a residence in the Capitol and eventually moved to District 12 to be with Haymitch. She kept the Capitol residence for people needing to stay there, like a hostel but only for loved ones. Effie opened her own salon in 12 where she could help the people who need it most.

Gale stayed in District 2 overseeing security. Cresida, thefilmmaker, moved to District 2 to be closer to Gale. They dated and eventually fell in love too and married. They had several children and would visit District 12 as much as they could. Cresida’s understanding of Gale helped him heal. Pollux moved to District 2 and continued working with Cresida as cameraman.

Joanna and Katniss became friends on a level that most wouldn’t understand, but their shared horrors bonded them for life. Joanna moved to District 4 to be near Annie and her child. Joanna vowed to help raise Finnick’s child and to take care of Annie. Over time, she was able to heal too because she allowed herself to move Annie and the child. Joanna never had a relationship other than Annie and the child.

Katniss’s mom eventually maintained residence in both District 12 and the Capitol. She continued training medical personnel until she couldn’t anymore. She was in 12 when she finally passed. She never had another relationship. Plutarch remained in the Capitol working as assistant to President Paylor. He visited District 12 as much as he could. He found peace there and that helped him to recover.

So that’s me personal take on the Epilogue of The Hunger Games. Let me know your thoughts and ideas!