Day 2: Inspired by a song
Song is Brother by Little Green Cars.
He found the letter in the pocket of his old pants. The last time he wore them was the day he came back from his games and now, a revolution later, he had found the little piece of paper in his old pants' pockets. He couldn't even remember who gave it to him. It had been a devastating day for him, so he hadn't really cared about anything or anyone.
Now… If he hadn't decided to –finally- clean his house thoroughly to get rid of everything he didn't need or want anymore, the letter would be lost forever.
"Brother, I've been trying to reach you…"
Started the letter, and Haymitch could already feel the lump in his throat.
Brother, got a new song to teach you, another useless piece of advice.
Iain had always had a nice handwriting, thought Haymitch with a sigh. The boy had always tried to get Haymitch to be softer, a little more delicate. Haymitch considered such things and impractical waste of time, though. They had a game, he remembered. A game their mother despised because she didn't even like to think of the possibility of having her children reaped. They only played it while they were walking.
"What's your advice?" used to ask Iain with an eager smile that always made Haymitch shake his head. The boy got more excited about the Games than he should.
"Stay away from the Cornucopia" would reply Haymitch. Maybe "Don't make allies."
Our mother wants to know if you've grown…
He kept reading, not too surprised at finding his mother hadn't watched him, or noticing even his brother was having trouble at Haymitch's possible death.
She's better, but still cries down the phone to her sister at least once a week.
Had she known he'd be back, she wouldn't have cried… She would have waited patiently. Had he known what he was coming back to, he would have done something more memorable.
And Hugo thinks he's falling in love, but you know what he is like…
Good, old, flirty Hugo. He was two years older tan Haymitch, but he died shortly after the second Quarter Quell. He had gone out after curfew to go visit his girlfriend. Unfortunately, his wounds from the whipping got infected… his death was slow and there was no one by his side. No one sober at least…
She's nice. You never know, maybe this one will last.
Well, she lasted more than him. Now she was married and had two sons in their teens. No longer in danger, he thought with a sigh.
Everyone seemed to be better somehow. Everyone had fought for a reason. Peeta for Katniss, Katniss for Prim… Even if the little girl had died, Katniss still had the baker boy. Why did he do it? Was it just to end Snow's reign of terror? Was it vengeance? Did he do it for Katniss? Was it for everyone? Maybe in name of the future generations…
As for me, when daddy died, I guess I went crazy…
Had written Iain, but the words made Haymitch snort loudly. His brother was… what? Four years old when their father died? How could he even remember them? For all he knew, Haymitch had been his only father figure… Unless that was exactly what his younger brother meant. He had assumed Haymitch wouldn't come back.
Was a hell of a ride, yeah… but lately I've been doing alright.
Suddenly he remembered how his name had sounded strange in the deep silence that settled in everyone around him. He recalled how his legs seemed to move on their own, even though they weighed as if his boots were made of lead. Someone cried out, but he didn't turn to meet her gaze. He wanted to remember her smile and the way her hair shone when the sunlight fell upon it, not her horrified expression. He refused to have anyone say goodbye. Only his brother had been stubborn enough to storm into the small room at the Justice Building.
And last night I had a dream but it seemed like real life. I awoke with a scream into lamplight and everything was quiet.
Had Iain written the letter short before dying? Wondered Haymitch, running a hand through his hair. Did he dream of the fire? Was he choking with the smoke while trying to save himself or their mother in his dream?
Brother, I've been trying to reach you. Brother, got a new song to teach you…
At least he got to say goodbye to him. They got to play one last time, but it was Iain's turn to answer the question.
… another useless piece of advice.
"Stay alive."