A.N. Something new:)

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the books/movies, this is just for fun.

As always, a fair warning: English is not my first language, and this piece wasn't betaed, so all grammar/spelling mistakes are mine.

Haymitch Abernathy was precisely twenty four years old when he decided it was time to die. He had enough. Enough of Games, enough of being Capitol's pawn, enough of their puppet's master. For a few first years he had tried so hard for the children, he had bent backwards to help them but it hadn't made any difference. In the end they all died.

How could skinny children from Seam fight with trained tributes? It all left him feeling like a complete failure. Why should he even try if the effects were always the same? So instead of that he went for a bottle completely blocking himself from all, but that didn't help either. Year after year they dragged him to Capitol to play a part in their show. No matter what he pulled of, no matter how many times he vomited, picked up a fight or felt down the stairs they refused to leave him alone. Soon he realised that only a death could free him from their claws, but he refused to commit suicide. No, Haymitch could not give the President the satisfaction of that ultimate victory, so he was left with only one way, he had to make them kill him. So he took it. He frequently and publicly offended Snow, attacked Peacekeepers, all in vain. He was the only living Victor from District 12 and a living warning to others what fate would await those who dare to break the rules of Capitol. He had to live. In time they introduced him to a simple routine. Whenever his behaviour would become to wild he would end up in prison for a few days just till the Games would be over and he could go back home. His tribunes would usually die as one of the firsts so nobody was wondering what had happened with their Mentor, and his dumb escort was happy when she was free of him.

Twenty eight year old Haymitch stretched his long body on the cot in the cell and whistled awaiting guards. He wondered what they would try this time to force him to change his ways: hunger, threats or boredom. They didn't have a lot of time. The train was scheduled to leave in 3 days time and they all knew that he had to be seen on the platform so the paparazzo could take the last photos.

"Abernathy! Wake-up! We have a surprise for you! "the voice of the Peacekeeper sounded loudly.

According to the rules of the prison the prisoner should stand when a guard come , but Haymitch had too great hangover in order to even consider moving besides annoying those fools provided to be fairly good entertainment.

"We thought that you're a bit lonely, so we're bringing you a room-mate!" Peacekeeper cackled throwing somebody into the cell.

Haymitch didn't bother to open his eyes They had tried that trick before. They would bring in some irritating or crazy prisoner who would sing, howl or cry for days and they would wait for Haymitch to snap. Of course it has never worked.

"Play nicely!"

Haymitch with his eyes closed waited for howling or crying but silence reigned in the cell. He pricked up his ears and finally heard someone's quick shallow breathing. Soft footsteps neared his cot. The only cot in the cell. His hand shoot out grasping the arm of the person who bowed over him.

"And what the hell are you doing?" he hissed threateningly straight into women's terrified face.

Incredibly blue eyes looked at him with utter fear

"I'm deeply sorry! I apologise! I've never meant to disturb you. You did not respond and that make my worry about you" she desperately attempted to free her arm from his steely grip.

Haymitch slowly ran his eyes over her trying to seize her up. She was petite, almost too thin, clad in the standard grey prison uniform, her blond hair bounded. She could be no more than twenty years old. She wasn't a threat, he determined letting go of her.

Immediately she withdrew back to the opposite wall pressing her back into it. Haymitch laughed grimly seeing her attempt to blend into the wall.

"I don't bite girl! "he snapped and the girl jumped up.

He shrugged his shoulders and lay down back on the cot. If she intended to stand over there it was her choice.

"I am Effie" she spoke after a dozen or so minutes of silence.

He didn't answer, hardly ever Haymitch felt like having a polite conversation. In 3 days they would have to release him, there was no point to even learn her name.

"And you? Do you have a name? ' she asked undeterred with his silence.

Haymitch sighed. Apparently she didn't understand that his silence was the answer.

"How should I call you then? The silent prisoner, the mute prisoner or maybe a mute with bad manners or the mannerless?"

"Haymitch would be sufficient" he decided to broke her flood of words.

She smiled widely from her spot on the floor. "It's nice to meet you Haymitch"

Haymitch just rolled his eyes. Judging by her behaviour he was going to spent the next days with the citizen of Capitol.

Lovely!

Thanks for reading:) Review?