Chapter 1: The Quell Announcement
Haymitch Abernathy reached into his cabinet and uncorked several bottles of bourbon in quick succession. He would need every last drop of every last bottle to get through tonight. Tonight was the announcement of the theme for the 3rd Quarter Quell, which would take place that summer. For the middle age drunk, this moment would be surreal. The last time a Quarter Quell – a special edition of the Hunger Games held every 25 years - was announced, he had just been a teenager. He had had no idea that he would be reaped for that 2nd Quarter Quell, and then ultimately win it against double the normal odds.
At least, he would not feel alone in his thoughts. Within the Victor's Village of District 12, two other houses stood occupied: a testimony to the two tributes (the best he had ever had) who had gotten their way through last year's Games and won a quite remarkable victory. 2 Victors in one year. Unprecedented – and dangerous. Katniss Everdeen would be watching the TV with her mother and sister. Peeta Mellark would be alone in his house to watch the program. His family, a family of bakers, lived separate of him in the District Square.
At last, the TV came on. President Snow had a long spiel that Haymitch just tuned out. Despite already being buzzed, he perked up when the traditional reading of the card came on. President Snow read quickly, "On the 75th anniversary, to show the districts that even the strongest of them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the tributes shall be reaped from the existing pool of victors."
Haymitch sat stunned. Then… "Arggh!" He hurled a half full bottle at the TV, where it predictably shattered against the screen. Victors going back into the arena…he couldn't believe it…he would be going back into the arena.
Suddenly, he sat up. Might, he corrected himself. I might be going back into the arena. His return to hell after a quarter-century of suppression had one thing standing in its way: the boy. Peeta. If Katniss had not rescued him last year in the arena, he would surely be dead and then his and Katniss's entry into the Games would be assured. District 12 had 3 victors to choose from. Not 2, but 3.
The drunk's thoughts were interrupted as his door opened with a bang. Seconds later, a head of blond hair appeared in the doorway.
"Haymitch!" Peeta called running to him and kneeling before his chair.
"I know, boy, I watched the mother-fucker just announce our deaths. You'll be fine…"
"You have to let me go back in with Katniss, do you understand me?!" Haymitch blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"Please, please, please, let me go back in with her!"
Haymitch let out a bark of laughter. "You want to go back in? You want to- oh, that's rich. Rich!" He jumped when Peeta began to suddenly shake him.
"Goddamn it, old man, this isn't funny! I'm serious! Promise me you'll let me go." Haymitch did not say anything. "Say you promise!" Peeta growled.
"Alright, alright, I promise!" Haymitch growled. The anger within the lad disturbed him a little.
Peeta calmed down soon after and then left. Haymitch staggered around his kitchen, searching for a new bottle of bourbon. He had just found one and made it back to his chair when his front door opened again. Predictably, Katniss walked in.
"Ah, there she is, all tuckered out. Finally did the math, did you, sweetheart? Realized you won't be going in alone? And now you're here to ask me…what?" Annoyingly, Katniss did not respond, so Haymitch just continued.
"I'll admit, it was easier for the boy. He was here before I could snap the seal on a bottle. Begging me for another chance to go in. Did you hear what I said?" he snarled. "What did you come here for?"
"I came for a drink," Katniss finally got out.
Haymitch barked out a laugh and slammed the bottle down on the table. Katniss took it eagerly.
"Haymitch," she said after taking a long swig. "You must promise me: do whatever it takes to save Peeta, to keep him alive."
Haymitch was too drunk to realize the problems with this new promise. "Ok, if his name is called at the reaping, I'll volunteer for him. But if they call me and he volunteers, there's nothing I can do," he quickly qualified.
"Haymitch, come on, nobody decent ever wins the Games," Katniss countered.
"Hey, nobody ever wins the Games. Period. There are survivors…no winners," Haymitch corrected. He knew that probably better than anyone.
Katniss nodded and stood up to go. "Thanks," she said, before unexpectedly hugging him. Then, she left.
Haymitch sat there a moment before he suddenly sat bolt upright. He had already made two promises tonight: both of which lay in direct contradiction with each other. Even if he tried to do nothing, one promise would be fulfilled and the other broken. Which would he keep? He wasn't sure. He went to bed early, actually ready for the nightmares that were sure to come.