Effie

If everything goes according to plan tonight, he would be with the children tomorrow.

How she wished she could be with him tonight. But she has to keep up with her role. She needed to act normal and try to get more sponsors for the team even though she knows it wasn't necessary now. Not long now.

She wondered where he was. Probably back at the penthouse.

She was so proud of him when he managed to cut down on his drinking for the children. But part of her also suspected that he was preparing for Thirteen where there wouldn't be any alcohol. It would hurt a lot lesser then.

They have spent more time together since he started drinking lesser. Maybe he needed a distraction. She didn't mind it anyway. Sometimes she wondered if he knew what he meant to her. She wouldn't tell him anyway. This is war and there wasn't time for things like this.

Now she is here in the lounge attempting to flirt with a male sponsor even though it wouldn't make a difference. It is all for a show. This was what it was all about. What her life was all about. They just want a good show. She could give that to them. This was the last night anyway. Soon.

She saw him walk into the lounge and it didn't take long for his eyes to fall on her. She always knew when he was in a room or when he was looking at her. She didn't over and kept her eyes on the sponsor until she felt someone tug on her hands. One moment she was sitting the next she was being pulled away from the sofa. Haymitch. She apologised to the sponsor as she got dragged away by him.

"You are not drunk. What do you think you are doing?" He didn't smell like he was drinking. She was almost glad she dragged her away. She was tired of acting.

He threw his arms around her and pressed her against the wall. It wasn't comfortable but she would take all her remaining time with him.

"As far as the other people in the room sees me, I am." He whispered against her ear. Was that what he wanted?

"What's happening?" She asked innocently. Of course she knew. She helped plan it.

"Don't ask anything. Stick close to me for tonight."

He nibbled her earlobe making her moan. She welcomed his distraction. If this was her last night with him, maybe he could remember her better tomorrow and not hate her too much.

They spent the next hour together in his room, doing whatever they have been doing for the past few years. But tonight was different. Every day after tonight will be different. She won't see him after tonight. She stayed tonight. She didn't leave like she always did. Tonight was the last night so she thought she might as well let herself fall in love for the last time instead of running away. She embraced his warmth for the last time. She wondered if he knew. She wondered if he loved her too. It doesn't matter anymore. After tonight, he will probably hate her for lying.

She stared at his face trying to map it in her memory. His eyes. His nose. His scruff. His lips. His cheeks. She hope this wasn't the last time she gets to see him. But if it is at least she had this memory to hold on to.

Part of her was happy. He had wanted her to leave with him.

Part of him cared for her. Maybe she wasn't just a distraction after all.

At least for this moment she was happy.

Part of her hoped he didn't care at all. At least he wouldn't hate her for leaving. At least he would hurt lesser.

"We need to go." He said. Just one hour till the meeting time. They should get ready to leave. She didn't question him.

She just finished slipping on her dress and her communicator started flashing. Something happened in the arena.

They rushed out to the living room but there was nothing but a black screen.

He swore. She didn't bother to tell him off, she wanted to swear too.

"We should go now." She heard him say but didn't reply. A million scenarios flashed in her mind.

She let him pull her into the elevator and through the corridor leading to the back door where their transport would be waiting. But he wouldn't know that she had her own transport too. Plutarch joined them along the way. They acknowledged each other's presence but didn't anything further. He promised to keep her identity a secret until they got Haymitch in the hovercraft.

This was it. They were standing in front of the hovercraft. This was goodbye.

She stopped him as he pulled her towards the hovercraft.

She touched his face for the last time. Don't let me forget this face.

Her vision started to blur with the tears in her eyes. I am so sorry.

There were so much she wanted to tell him but she couldn't.

She pressed a short kiss on his lips. I love you.

"Stay alive." She said.

They needed to leave now. She needed to leave before she broke down.

She turned and strode into the car.

If they made it to their destinations alive, maybe they will meet again.

She leaned against the car window, watching the scenes outside.

Soon these streets will never be the same again. If they win this war, it shall never be and maybe the world will be a better place.

Her mind wandered to him. To them.

There was so much she wished she knew. There was so much she wished he knew.

But he couldn't know. He would never agree to leaving her if he knew.

It is too late now anyway. If they make it out alive, he will find out himself.

For now, she needed to focus on her mission.