Hello all, this is my new story and this time, it is not an AU. It takes place post-mj to see how the characters deal with their lives and move on past their trauma to find something good and hopeful to build their life upon. I hope you'll like it.
1. Don't Be A Stranger
"What if being made broken is the first step to healing?"
There were scars running down her left arm, faint jagged lines from when she had hurt herself putting her hands between the tiny spaces of the metal bars to beg for food. In the wake of all that just happened, that memory felt so distant now; one of hurt, cold and starvation yet, each time she closed her eyes, the memory would be so vivid and crushing.
Effie adjusted her blouse and patted her wig. Inspecting herself in the mirror one last time, she still found it difficult to accept that she had truly gone through that harrowing experience. It felt like a different woman had.
"Chins up," she whispered.
Satisfied with the way she looked, Effie moved towards the window. Peering outside, the landscape was unrecognizable. The place where tributes were paraded was an indistinguishable semi-circle, half of the area cordoned off from public. The rubble from the bomb blast had not been cleared off yet and blood still stained the pavements from where children were blown up in front of the Presidential Mansion.
Capitol residents spoke in hush whispers while rebel soldiers gave out orders to clear the street and direct people to the numerous refugee camps that had sprung up after the Capitol fell.
It was strange to look out on a view that was so familiar and yet, so different.
The country was undoubtedly broken and that in itself should make her sad and dejected but instead, Effie chose not to dwell too much on it. Perhaps, they all needed to be broken before they could rebuild and heal.
The snow slowly falling to the ground was the first sign of that. It had never snowed in the Capitol, not real ones at least. Ever since Beetee won his Games, he had been commissioned to take care of that problem. Snow was too much of a hassle when they melted and made everything damp so temperatures were regulated. It was never too warm or too cold here, and she had only ever experienced extreme weather in Twelve where winter was harsh, according to Haymitch. But here, right now, the falling snow seemed exquisite.
Popping open the window, Effie held out her hand and smiled softly as the snowflakes landed on her glove covered hand. Haymitch had expected it to stop snowing anytime today and it would seem that he was right. It was not as heavy as it was three days ago.
Speaking of Haymitch, Effie checked the time on the clock. It was probably wise to make her way down now. It wouldn't do to miss them entirely and she knew Haymitch would not wait around in case he lost his nerve about going back. Even so, Effie had the full confidence that he would do what was required of him.
The hovercrafts leaving for some of the districts had already taken off, carrying with it Iris Everdeen. Effie waited for Katniss at the foot of the stairs.
Goodbyes were never her favourite thing and this was goodbye, for now at least. She was not sure when she would see them again.
They had said goodbyes and parted ways countless times over the years but this time, Haymitch held her gaze, a thousand unspoken words passed through that. The day before, they had already talked about this and she would not change her mind.
"Don't be a stranger," he said gruffly, stepping up in front of her.
"I won't," she promised.
True, she might still be angry and disappointed with his actions and being left behind during the Rebellion to be kept prisoner had left her feeling crossed and unwanted, but they had gone through too much for them to now be mere strangers to each other.
Her feelings were her own but their shared memories belonged to them both, and she would not leave it wasted.
"Take care of her," Effie pleaded.
"I will. Take care of him."
Effie nodded in assurance. Long after both Katniss and Haymitch had become mere dark spots in the white canvas of the city, Effie remained where she was, watching them.