Never Forget
Chapter 2- Never Safe
"Come on Catnip, you need to get up," I heard Haymitch say over me. Ugh, why couldn't this guy just leave me alone.
"I'll get up after you stop drinking, why don't you go wake up Peeta instead? I'm still tired. Can't a victor get some sleep around here?" I mumbled in reply. Why would he have come into my room anyway? Couldn't have Effie come and woke me up instead?
"Um, who's Peeta? Did you hit you head on a rock or something when you fell, because I don't drink," Was he overly drunk now? Of course he drinks, there was no time that I remember when he didn't, except when he was helping me and Peeta win the Games.
"How do you not know who Peeta is? You know my district partner, Peeta Mellark?" I then rolled over and pushed myself up while opening my eyes. I saw grass and flowers everywhere, not a luxury train. I then looked up and saw the younger Haymitch while everything from the past hour came back to me. I started panicking that I screwed something up, big time.
"Mellark? Isn't that Clutha's last name? Why would you know who he is if your from District 11?" Haymitch asked confused. Oh great. Now how am I going to get out of this one? I could say I saw it in a dream. It might actually work considering I was talking about the games. Then I could… well it might just work.
"Well there is this guy in District 11 whose name is Peeta Mellark. The other night I had a dream that we were reaped into the Hunger Games and I had this drunk mentor who constantly annoyed me," I told him once again hoping it would do. I wasn't sure if it was actually believable but Haymitch did seem a little gullible right now.
"Okay, but if you ever want to talk about it some more, I'm here," he replied softly. I couldn't believe that, the uncoordinated, drunk, aggressive man I knew from my past is now a soft, caring, loving, guy that I, possibly, could be falling for. He helped me back up and we started walking back to wherever he lived.
As we walked, Haymitch pointed out some landmarks in 12, that I already knew of obviouly, like the school, mayor's office, and the Hob. We quickly arrived at his home and I looked around. It looked familiar, but not that familiar that I would know why I knew this house.
"Hey mom," I heard Haymitch say passively. Oh great, how is he going to explain me to his parents?
"Hello son, who is this?" asked his mother coming out of what looked like the kitchen.
"Oh, well this is Catnip Evergreen. I found her in the meadow this morning looking horrible, not externally but I could tell she was internally. She's from District 11 and needs somewhere to stay. So can she stay here?" he asked sweetly. At first it looked as if she was going to protest and kick me out but then she must have thought better of it.
"I guess she can stay. But you need to split your food share and you, miss, need to take care of yourself. I have my own things I need to be doing, not taking care of you like some pet. Are we clear?" I gulped. This woman, Haymitch's mom, was definitely a strict, no-nonsense person. Maybe hunting a little and bringing food here would help her like me more. But first I had to wait until she and Haymitch were out so I could escape to the woods.
"Thank you ma'am for letting me stay here. It's so much better than sleeping on rocks and dirt," I thanked her. Her face softened a little when I told her I slept on the ground, which was a little true, having slept in trees and on the ground during the Games. Although for the past- however long it was, I was being pampered, unconsciously, by the Capitol. But no one needs to know that.
I walked around the house to acquaint, well reacquaint, myself with the house. I knew where all of the rooms were and the way they were set up. But yet again I had another lapse in memory. It was a pretty small house, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, the kitchen and a family room. The entire house was one floor but it was cozy.
"Hey Catnip, come here. I'm gonna show you were you'll be sleeping," Haymitch grabbed my arm and dragged me into the smaller of the two bedrooms. He pointed to a mattress on the floor. "There is where you will be sleeping. It's pretty good considering some families have to share beds," Like me and Prim, I thought to myself. Prim, now all alone taking care of my mother. I couldn't just leave her there, to support her and mother, but I had no way of getting back. I could feel tears coming to my eyes thinking about them, thinking about home, and Gale, Peeta. Now I felt the tears rolling down my eyes as I fell to the ground. I vaguely felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I started to cry even harder when I then heard his voice.
"Shh, it's okay Catnip, you're safe with me," I heard Haymitch whisper into my ear. No, I'm not. I'm never safe, no matter where I am, when I am. There will always be the Capital, the Hunger Games, to remind us all of all the horrors in the world, the death of young kids like Rue. Turning normal teenagers into savage, bloodthirsty, beasts.
"Please, stop crying. It's okay, no need to cry. I've got you," Haymitch continued whispering to me. I started to feel safe. Secure, in his arms. I guess I am safe, for now.
A/N- Short chapter, I know, but I wanted to get it out. As I'm on vacation in Ohio, I had some time to type. It was going to be A LOT longer but I didn't want to wait any longer. Also sorry that it's pretty bad. And Happy Birthday TacoBelle! And Review! Please, it gives me inspiration :)
