DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HUNGER GAMES.
Haymitch's intoxicating stench of liquor spreads through the room. I turn away and wrinkle my nose, when Gale says, "So you're our mentor?"
Haymitch looks at us as if he didn't know we were here, then gives a giant burp and says, "Yes I am handsome"
Grabbing a bottle of white liquor, he sits across from us. For a split second he looks at me as if he recognizes me but then takes another swig of alcohol.
"Are you going to give us any advice?" I ask.
"Whoa whoa whoa, one thing at a time." he holds his hands up in an exaggerated motion.
I become annoyed at his behavior, we need a mentor who will take care of us. I reach for alcohol, but Haymitch reflexively grabs my hand so hard I cry in pain.
I look up to see Gale shoving a knife into the chair handle, "Let her go!" he growls. Haymitch smiles at Gale and releases my hand. I begin rubbing my wrist when Gale takes my shoulders and escorts me out of the room.
We sit on the couch in the hallway, I feel my wrist swelling. Before I can get up Gale goes to an ice bucket and brings me an ice pack.
"That was really brave, what you did for Prim"
"They are my real family, I would do anything for them" I give him a small grin.
"Why did you try taking the bottle away?"
"Because we need a real mentor, it can mean the difference between life and death"
"Still you should know better" We both chuckle, I realize this is the chance I've been waiting for.
"Thank you, for everything" Putting my hand over his I can tell by his expression he knows what I'm really saying. His face goes from a soft smile to a creased forehead.
"We aren't supposed to be friends, not here"
"Says who?" He turns away from me, and I struggle to keep my composure.
"Gale do you think you could kill anyone? You know when the time came?"
"I don't see the difference between that and hunting"
I ponder this, "There is a difference, each person has a family, a home"
"What's your point?"
"I can't let this change me, I need to leave as myself"
"You can't do that if you want to win" We stare at each other for a long moment, then he gets up and leaves.
Who needs him. I go to my room, slump on my bed, and stare at the copper bracelet that Katniss gave me. Now is my chance to go down with a fight, to make my inevitable death unforgettable. They will not own me, with every breath in my body I will make sure Gale is coming home alive. I make this promise to myself when Effie bursts through my door, "Come it's time to watch today's reaping!"