Summary: "Maysilee,it's okay," Haymitch murmurs. He appears to be choking back tears. You'll be okay. It...it'll all be over soon."

I let out a scream as the birds descend on me,their pink wings flapping frantically in the wind. I barely have time to run before their sharp beaks pierce my neck.
That's all it takes for me to fall to the ground. That's all it takes for me to begin to scream and scream and scream. Hot,scarlet blood gushes down my neck,painting my black t-shirt in the stuff.

And all I can do is lie there in agony,praying for the pain to end. Waiting for what I know will come - death.

"Maysilee!" I hear someone yell. It's a familiar voice. Can it be...?

No,it can't possibly be Haymitch. I broke the alliance off,he's not under the obligation to run to me when I'm in danger.
But yet,here he is,kneeling beside me.

"H-Haymitch," I breathe.

He doesn't respond,only grabs my hand and holds it tightly,ignoring the fact that it's covered in blood. He knows I'm going to die. He knows I can't be saved,which is why he doesn't pull out the first aid kit. I know my untimely end has come,too,but Haymitch also realizing it makes the whole thing more real.

I begin to sob uncontrollably.

"Maysilee,it's okay," Haymitch murmurs. He appears to be choking back tears. He keeps sniffling and his voice is muffled. "You'll be okay. It...it'll all be over soon."
I nod as best as I can,hanging onto his words.

It'll all be over soon.

"Win," I tell him between hysterics. "Win for me,Haymitch.

"I will," he replies,more confident now. "I'll win for you. I...I promise,Maysilee."

"Give my sister my love," I mumble. "And mother and father and-"

"Ssh," he says quietly. "I'll tell them,I promise. Just try to...try to..."

But I never find out what he wants me to try to do,because Haymitch begins to kiss me gently on both cheeks. He wipes the tears and the blood away with his jacket sleeve.

I'll be waiting here for you

"T-Thank you," I whisper. "I love you,Haymitch."

And then,it's like the cocky boy from the night of the interviews is all but gone and forgotten,because Haymitch's expression softens and he murmurs back,"I love you,too,Maysilee."

For you,for you

He strokes my cheek,and I can feel myself slipping away from this world,and into the next. Haymitch says something else,but I don't catch it.

Don't you fret,my dear
It'll all be over soon

And suddenly,the cannon fires,and I know it's for me.