So this is a story that follows Haymitch's life through the events of the Quatar Quell. His losses, gains and everything in between. This was written a while ago and I found it - It's one of my first pieces so don't shoot flames! Rated M for possible later themes and whatnot.

Enjoy!

The usual occurred in the Reapings in District 1, 2 and 4 – The Career districts four were picked to go to the games and then four other stronger competitors took their place. After all to them winning The Games would hail glory and status beyond that which many of them already had. To them it wasn't anything new, if they died then they had the honour of their district but if they won then once again they would be hailed with gifts and prizes beyond that which they could normally afford. Haymitch viewed these "Careers" as they were so called by the later districts as The Capitol's lapdogs doing whatever they could to please the Capitol and win affection and status.

Haymitch was a boy aged 16, he had the typical Seam look – dark smoky grey charcoal eyes and dark hair which was cropped close to his head. To most he was rather attractive and he knew this but he never acted on it. He had a girlfriend - Maia with whom he was content and each year he added his name an extra two times to make sure her family were well stocked for the year. Each year in the Tesserae he had entered his name once for himself which put his name down 5 times, twice for his mother which meant his name was put down 18 times - for each tesserae you took an extra 5 times would be added, one for his younger brother – another 9 and then two for Maia's family – Another 18.

In total his tesserae amount was 50 times – to have your tesserae level at this amount was almost putting yourself out for suicide it was almost definite that one year he would be picked. This year the chances of him being picked were doubled since there were four tributes to be picked not that he minded, The Seam was a place you could starve to death in safety so either way it would be putting your name in to get food so that you could last a few more years to wait out and see if you'd die of starvation at least if you put your name in you knew when you'd die, to Haymitch knowing was better than waiting and so he stood buttoning up his dark navy shirt. When everyone else wore light blue he always stood out in his dark shirt. Running a hand through his hair slowly he drew in a deep breath before walking out to join his family for what may be the last time.

He took his brother's hand and the Abernathy family headed out of the house down the street to the square where the citizens of district 12 had already gathered. His parents moved to stand with the others to watch if their children would be picked. Haymitch led his brother Ray towards the section where the boys would stand. He didn't let his brother stand with the others his age merely kept Ray beside him at all times his hand firmly placed upon his younger brother's shoulder. The screens above the square flickered into life and what little electricity there was, was re-routed to the screens so that they could watch in ascending order as the four tributes were picked. In 1, 2 and 4 the usual occurred and then from then on when four were selected no one went to take their place.

Eventually after District 11 had been picked the presenter from the Capitol took to the stage and greeted them all as if she were to announce the roles in the next play. Because that was what this was, these people stood around him were puppets to The Capitol ready to play in their so-called entertainment shows. The girls were always picked first, he instantly recognized one of the girls she was a girl who he used to sit next to when he was in school her name. . . He couldn't place it at first and then it clicked – Maysilee Donner she was a medium-height girl the same age as him. She had fair-Blonde hair which seemed to shine in the warm afternoon heat.

The question was asked. "Are there any volunteers?" It rang out across the square bouncing off the walls of the derelict buildings which littered the edge of the square. Of course no one stood forward and soon enough they were on to the boys. The hand went into the Tesserae containing every boy's name and he waited for it to happen. The first boy one of 12 was picked, it was his first year ever in the Games and he would most surly die in the first week Haymitch assumed. The hand went back into the globe and then it happened, he knew it would the words rang out across the square.

"The final tribute for The 50th Quarter Quell is Haymitch Abernathy!" The excited voice rang out over the square but no one shared the joy, he looked to his brother crouched down and hugged him tightly. Neither cried they didn't cry he'd taught his brother that no matter what he shouldn't cry for him even if he died because he did it because of a noble cause. He brushed the young boy's hair before making his way through the parting crowd up to the stage. The question echoed again and he could see the fear upon the people's faces. "Are there any volunteers?"

And again, no answer the four tributes left the stage and then made their way to the Justice building to await their fate. Haymitch walked down the steps and through the stone door into a small cell-like room, he sat on the bed and awaited his fate. . .