This story is inspired by maxmeb27's story, The World According To Haymitch Albernathy. Go read it now. It's awesome.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games, you'd know if I did.

(Haymitch's Point of View)

_FATHERLESS_

I was walking around the Hob with my best friend, Jake Everdeen. We where talking about seemingly unimportant things. Things that wouldn't compare to the horror that would happen later today.

"I'm telling you, she's upper class! You'll never get her, Jake." I told him. Jake was talking about that apothecary girl, who's name I can't ever remember.

"Hey, you never know man. Maybe one day, she'll fall for me." Jake said dreamily.

I snorted. "Yeah, when that baker boy falls off a cliff."

Jake was probably about to say some smart-ass comment or something, but was interrupted by horrible screams.

There was a mining accident.

Jake an I did everything we could to help, but there wasn't much could do. Later that night, my mother was holding my hand, never letting go. Dad hadn't come home yet, and we where getting extremely worried. Mom has always been the quiet type, but never this quiet. She held my hand and looked at the ground.

Finally, word came of my father's condition. He had been pronounced dead as of ten minuets ago. His body had yet to be found. When I heard this, I stood up, letting my Mother's hand fall to the ground. I ran out of the room, and into town.

In town, I got my extra money out, and bought a small bottle of whiskey. That was the first time I ever got drunk to the point of forgetting.

It was the first time I've ever experienced the bliss of the bottle.

_Names_

I won the Hunger Games. It was a nightmare, that had come true. Fame and fortune meant nothing, not when faces had names, and times had places, and death was close.

That apothecary girl had a name. It's Jane Talley, and that baker boy is named Mark Mellark. And the blonde girl that hangs around with Jane is Mary, Maysilee's twin. Times, like mine explosions, have places. In our hearts, brains, and souls. They imprint us with unforgettable horrors. Fame is meaningless, when death is just around the corner. Waiting to strike when you least expect it. Taking everyone you love with it.

While I was in hell, my mother committed suicide, thinking her only family member would never be coming back. So, here I sit. All alone, reliving the nightmare, and knocking back bottles.

I have a hole in my heart. One that will never be filled, but I try and fill it anyway with whiskey, secretly hoping someone will come along and care enough to fill the hole, and make me whole.

But until then, "Bottoms up."

_The Hanging Tree_

Haymitch was laying on his bed, slowly dying of liver failure. He could feel his death approaching. He had lived a good life, but he would missed who he loved and cared for. Haymitch made a good bye letter in his head.

Good bye Katniss and Peeta. I love your children so much. And the time I've gotten to spend with them has been amazing. You two gave my last years meaning and purpose. I kept you alive and the arena, and you've done the same for me. In my own personal arena. Now, I must go. Good luck.

-Haymitch, your mentor

Haymitch then began to sing the last verse of the Hanging Tree, just because it felt right.

"Are you, are you, coming to the tree," He croaked out. "Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it seem, if we met up at midnight in the hanging tree."

He looked up, a feeling of serenity and a look of peace.

"I'm coming Maysilee, I'm coming."

With those words, Haymitch passed to the next world, the better world.

I hoped you guys liked it.

~tawnyangel