Pretend Haymitch is twenty-two when he meets Peeta and Katniss for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. This is the 70th Annual Hunger Games.
Chapter One
Twelve-year-old Alex Russo sits on the train after the reaping from her district in District Twelve. She was taken from her family, her mother Theresa, her father Jerry, her older fifteen-year-old brother Justin and younger brother, who is eight-years-old, Max.
Watching the train arrive in District One, Alex could see two tall figures climb onto the train at the front before they start moving again. The guy next to her is just as silent as she is and refuses to look at her, his name is Haymitch something. Alex knows she is going to die in the arena, but as long as she lives as long as she can and stay out of harms way, she can survive on her own.
"We have no mentor, how are we going to get sponsors? How are we going to make people like us?" Haymitch asks her.
"I'm not sure, give them attention and make sure you make your mark on them? Try to be their favourites?" Alex offers, "That's all I have, I'm sorry."
"No, no, no, that's good, better than what I had. Would you like to work together until we go into the arena? Scout people and learn our hidden talents."
"I'm the fastest in my gym class." Alex shrugs looking at the eighteen-year-old, "What about you?"
"I'm more of a problem solver."
"I can tell. Are we allowed allies? My parents never allowed us to watch the Games until we turn ten, so I only saw two. And neither one of them had allies."
"We can yes."
"I know this is a lot to ask, but could you be my ally?" Seeing him looking at her, Alex stutters, "A… at least think about it?"
"I'll think about it, kid." Hearing screaming, Alex stands up and stands on the seat to look out the window to see people. Waving and smiling, they start calling out her name as the train slows down.
Haymitch stares at Alex knowing she has her whole life ahead of her and this event will damage her soul and her heart.
~A&K~
Standing in the training centre Alex stands next to Haymitch looking at all the taller girls and boys, they are all taller and older than she is, and look like they are sixteen, seventeen and eighteen. After breaking off for training, Alex goes to learn how to identify plants and build snares as Haymitch learns how to fight.
A girl from District Eleven sits down next to Alex and works on her snare with ease.
"How do you do that?" Alex whispers shyly undoing a knot.
"Here, I'll show you." The girl smiles and starts to teach Alex the basics. Once Alex gets the handle of the basics, the girl shows Alex some tricks and teaches one or two which the younger girl gets.
"Would you like me to teach you a trick to climbing the net there?" Alex asks nodding to the net hanging on the ceiling with a two ropes as ladders.
The girl widens her eyes and looks scared, "Uhm, sure."
Walking over, Alex shows her how her hands should go along with her feet before whispering in her ear her trick. The girl smiles and nods.
"I'll try it but it's your trick." The girl starts to climb the net and once she is at the top she sits there and looks down at Alex who is climbing up like a monkey. Once Alex sits next to her, the girl grins, "You are one mysterious little girl. If it's a forest arena, you are deadly."
"I don't think it will be a forest." Alex shakes her head.
"Why not?"
"I just have this feeling that it won't be. By the way, I'm Alex. I'm from District Twelve."
"I'm Sheena, I'm from District Eleven. I'm eighteen."
"I'm twelve."
~K&A~
Haymitch and Alex compare notes about each person they talk to and talk about that person's strengths and weaknesses. Haymitch learns that Alex is amazing at climbing, running and amazing with a sword, which she told him is something she learned from playing with sticks from her brothers. Knowing Alex isn't worried about dying like he is, Haymitch focuses on fighting while Alex focuses on plants in the book that she is reading and memorizing. Theresa is a nurse and uses herbs and the plants all the time so at an early age, Alex has been learning about them so lots of them she already knows.
Alex sits at the top of the net reading, when she feels someone starting to climb. Looking down she notices the guy from District One trying to climb and failing. Alex giggles behind her book and keeps her face neutral and eyes on the page.
The next day, Alex stands in the line in front of Haymitch in a purple dress that goes to her knees. With her hair in pigtails, Alex swings them back and forth showing her youth and how young she really is.
"Stop doing that." Haymitch hisses from behind her. Looking at him, he nods in front of them and Alex looks to see the Careers, Districts One and Two girls and guys looking at her like she's meat. Backing behind the taller guy in front of her, Alex gulps and looks at the floor terrified, "Just breathe, nothing is going to happen with me around."
Alex looks up at Haymitch again with hope in her eyes, "You mean?"
"I'll be your ally." Haymitch mouths. Seeing her smile, Haymitch smiles back hoping he can keep her alive, she deserves to live the most out of all of them.
When Alex walks on stage, she bites her lip staring at her feet where she is wearing high heels as she stumbles in them and the crowd laughs. Finally sitting, Alex breathes a sigh of relief and looks at the man in front of her, Caesar.
"So Alex Russo, the youngest tribute this year." Caesar announces patting her hand in his, "The lowest score of eight and least likely to survive the first night."
Hearing this, Alex gulps and starts to breathe heavily in panic, what if they are right? What if Haymitch just wants to be her ally to kill her? Alex thinks.
"So Alex, tell me, how did your family react when your name was drawn?" Caesar asks.
"Panic." Alex whispers, "But they believe that I will make it home."
Seeing the laughter on Caesar's face, Alex knows he doesn't believe it.
"I know you don't believe it, but I can hope." Alex snaps making Haymitch grin in the hallway and nod.
After a few minutes of talking, Caesar watches Alex walk away before calling Haymitch up and they head upstairs to their floor.
~A&K~
The next day, Alex's stylist slips her coat on and zips it up before showing her, her Mockingjay necklace that Theresa gave her when the family came to say goodbye, attached to the inside pocket before buttoning her up.
Stepping into the cylinder, Alex watches it close before hearing it countdown. Closing her eyes, Alex feels the platform rise and opens her eyes to see her stylist wave at her and give her the famous, three-finger goodbye.