THE LIE

Chapter 4 (wayward son)


Carry on my wayward son. There'll be peace when you are done. Lay you weary head to rest. Don't ya cry no more…. Kansas - Antique song museum of Panem.

Haymitch smells horrible. He is the stench of battle. Katniss doesn't care; he is alive for the moment. "I thought I had lost you babydoll. I thought only Chaff and the Morphline girl were left. I searched for you? I found the force field, is that how?"

She nods. "Finn and Mags…" her chin quivers in sorrow. "I killed Chaff, arrow in his eye. We were sleeping and he came at us with a sword, he was all red with blood."

"The blood rain. He got caught in it, I see the morphline got caught in the acid fog." He sighs against her. "I thought I failed you and Peeta, thank devils and demons you are alive."

"I worried about you all day. Every cannon."

"Where were you, I called and called. I followed the trail the three of you left, twice. I was out of my mind." He says finally letting her feet touch the sand.

"I think I was asleep then. I didn't wake until the two cannons sounded." She let go of him but refused to break contact. He put his arm around her shoulder protectively.

They began to walk and Haymitch's limp is more pronounced than she'd noticed at first. "Nuts and Volts…worst thing I ever had to do."

"I am so sorry." She said meaning it. We have morphline if you are in pain, and a bottle of Ripper's. Come on, get in the water and clean up, then we will eat."

"Aghhhh, Peeta is a good man."

Katniss looks away, "it isn't all from Peeta. The feast is from Snow. There is a note. Instructions."

Haymitch threw his makeshift packs and weapons onto the ground. He stripped out of his shredded uniform and splashed into the calm seawater. He took his time, using the sand to scrub away the muck and gore. He stayed under the water, liking the way the sound was muffled. The sensation is enjoyable until he realized his wounded leg was bleeding again. The leg wound, from a clip on the calf by a spear, is one thing that looked better, covered in gore. He returned to the beach, saw the look of concern on Katniss' face and thought it was funny she worried about the spear hole, when she would have to deliver worse so soon. He will have to demand that she endure, exactly the thing, he already knew he was not strong enough to live with himself. Haymitch knows he could not survive killing her. He wonders if he can stand to execute his real plan. He wonders if she will find success.

He sits down, unable to cross his legs due to the gushing of the wound. He didn't wait for the others, he simply began piling his plate with sugared fruits, pastry, thinly sliced meats, stuffed mushrooms, and cheese. He took a tiny wedge shaped greenish bread. He opened the first wine bottle and poured the blood red liquid into the glasses. "To gentle death and eternal love." His eyes soft and full of his heart, locked on Katniss.

She nodded and handed him the note. "This is what they want."

Haymitch scanned the words and smirked with humor."It is actually better than I expected. I had hoped it would not come down to this, but I always knew it had to. No other way to guarantee the out comes. Can't trust someone else with you. I was certain Finn had betrayed me. I will do the necessary thing, then we will have a few hours of peace before you do what you must."

"About that. I have changed my mind." Katniss says with stubborn resolve written on her face.

"In what way, sweetheart? Method or motivation." He says as if what she is saying is laughable.

"Both. I am sending you home." Katniss' voice barely registers above a whisper.

"No." His eyes enjoy a surge of power. "We will talk about this later, but don't assume I can live long with my recent activities. Remember what I told you."

Katniss sighs; nodding there would be more discussion. The Morphling Girl, decides to use a larger dose of her drugs. Katniss frowns but Haymitch rolls his eyes and gives her a look telling her how stupid that is.

"I miss everyone. It was fun in training. Lets swim. Look at the pretty colors." She said in a far away lilting childish voice. Katniss smiled and they walked to the shore and splashed water at each other and playfully chased each other. Haymitch grinned at the display of girlish silliness in this horrible place of splendor. But that smile did not reach his eyes. The eyes were calculating and watchful.

"It's like swimming in a rainbow!" the mindless girl giggles, delightfully oblivious to the predator approaching her as she floats and bobs blissfully in the sparkling water and sun.

Haymitch stood next to the morphling girl and without changing expression; he reaches out and grasps her throat. With no warning or emotion, he forces her head under the gentle waves. There is a kind, fatherly smile on his face as he looks down at her face, just two inches under luminously clear water. Her eyes open wide in fear as bubbles escape her nose and mouth in a burbling scream.

"Haymitch No!" Katniss says in horror. She steps forward to stop him then realizes it would only postpone it for a few minutes at best. Her hand flies to her face, she turns away from the sight.

He meets the, flailing helplessly in death, panicked girl's eyes and his face is mild and pleasant. The girl's struggles become frantic. "No, don't you look away from me little girl. This is an easy death compared to what I have done for you Katniss. You look me in the face…"

Katniss spins, tears in her eyes, "Or what, You will smile and drowned me next?" Katniss glares at him defiantly. His eyes are monster gray but she does not look away. She crosses her arms, as she sees the playful girl can no longer controls her movements. The girls body begins it's natural ballet of death as living nerves give way to eternal silent decay.

"At noon tomorrow, one of us will have to kill the other. That is just a fact, sweetheart. I don't want to argue," The cannon booms. Now it is official, there are only two tributes standing. "…about this all night. We have only so long, in which to pack everything we need forever and say good-bye. True, no matter which of us it is." He never looks back down at the girl, he only releases her and gives her body a seaward shove. His actions say he has tossed away a bit of unwanted trash.

Katniss watches the girl, her mouth open, fixed eyes wide, break the surface as she slides toward the launch pads. She turns from Haymitch and stumbling, lurching and not caring, sloshes up on the shore. Standing by the fire, dripping in misery, not wanting to have ever seen Haymitch kill with such unfeeling dead eyes, Katniss feels like nothing can ever be right again for her. Her mind can't help but flash through every possible method she can think of to kill Haymitch Abernathy.

She could slice his throat and watch him bleed out.. An arrow through his eye would be relatively fast, but it seems too horrible after watching Chaff shudder and scream for almost three minutes this morning. In the heart would be fast, but he might choke on the blood and that would not be a memory she could stand to dream every night for the rest of her life. She could overdose him on Morphline, but him holding out his arm while she stuck him would hardly be the showdown the note demanded.

There was no easy way to make this happen. He could just strangle her. She wouldn't want to drown and being sliced up didn't sound like a good way either. Katniss laughed, hysteria giving her voice a giddy pitch.. "Welcome to hell." Katniss says as the hovercraft arrives.

She couldn't help but jerk away from the comforting hand that touched her shoulder. The hand that had just murdered a girl with no more feeling than washing cloths, sent shivers of revulsion down her spine. Katniss spun to look at Haymitch.

"I know sweetheart. I am there, resolved to hellfire and welcoming it with every ounce of my soul. I can't stay here. Our plan is almost done. I have a few hours and I can hang on that long, but I see it in your eyes. I am nothing but a fiend now, to you. What you are going to have to do is necessary. It's practically a kindness to me. Do it now if it will make it easier for you." Haymitch holds out his arms as if inviting either a hug or death.

"How? How do I kill you? Even this minute I love you. If it were anyone else, other than Finnick and Mags, it wouldn't hurt so much." She tilted her head, a puppy quizzing a porcupine.

"If it were anyone else, I would already be dead and you would not escape this arena without a scratch. This is what I promised Peeta. He didn't believe in me. Could it be any easier if he'd stood in my place now? I was right Katniss. We are right. I trust you to be skillful. A little pain is worth it to save you. Sing for me and I won't feel a thing." Haymitch's arms still stay open, waiting on her decision.

Those eyes twinkling with the embers of the bonfire, melt her fury. He has done all of this for her. She takes two steps toward him and softly wraps her arms around his waist and closes her eyes. "I don't think I am strong enough, Papa Bear, not for this."

"I will help you sweetheart. I will figure out what you need to make it happen. Trust me." He kisses the top of her head, and then plants his chin in that spot. He closes his eyes so she can't see the tears, but the cameras pick them up and all of Panem is riding the fun of the emotional drama playing out on screen.

Peeta Mellark watched the monitor in the now nearly deserted war room. The camera crew waits to give him the signal that his interview is live. He wears the caked makeup with placid annoyance. It reminds him to hide all he ever was. He keeps his face neutral with pure will. He refuses to react to the banter going on in the capital feed. He didn't dare show the shattered state of his heart. He is dead now, not killed physically, but his heart no longer beat, except for show.

"Well Caesar, this has been one of the most exciting games in memory. We are down to old Iron Hearted Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the second Quell and his own tribute from last year, one of the most popular victor's ever to step into the ring, Miss Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire. Coming up we have an interview with this years district twelve mentor and the fiancé of the little spitfire herself. I can say that never have we had such a record setting Game."

Bobious Barkworth sits next to Caesar in an emerald green suit. He has bright yellow hair that he carefully combs into his eyes. He flicks his head from side to side repeatedly trying to look attractive, but to Peeta, he just looks like he needs a comb. "It has been a year of firsts, that is for sure. This game is down to the wire in a record 31 hours. Lets take a look at the exciting chain of events that has lead up to the final showdown, then we will join one of the most beloved victors of all time, Peeta Mellark. He has graciously joined us from the war room of the Games. We begin with the unexpected announcement of the victor pool. Now at first everyone was horrified at the idea, but experienced tributes have proven to deliver quite an electrifying show. This has been no day of child's splay and no place for the faint of heart."

Caesar responds through his polished teeth and the studio lights must be especially bright because he blinks too often."My goodness yes. Who would have imagined the wisdom of this Quell? The game makers have out done themselves this year, as have our talented tributes. I have to say, I was just on the edge of my seat, watching darling little Katniss give her virginity to Finnick Odair just hours before his tragic death."

Bobious frowned and looked physically ill. "That was a disappointment. I hope the Game Makers rethink that force field in the future. It was just heartbreaking to see an unintended loss like that." He shakes his head as if the emotion is almost to much for him. "Finnick was strong and we all looked forward to his many challenges within this arena."

They show a picture of Finnick draped on some capital woman, looking like he's toasted on several levels. Caesar shakes his head and wipes a tear from his cheek. "I know he would be satisfied with his performance, but he was the favorite to win. That is one of the records, unheard of records, in this game, smallest arena of all time.. Finn- O was no newcomer; he is an experienced mentor with two victors of his own under his belt, but this arena is the smallest tightest, most frustratingly dynamic plan in the history of the games. So there is no way he could have expected that twist. Force fields have never been deadly except during the fiftieth quell where Abernathy exploited the feature to win his title."

Bobious looked stunned as if he had a secret to share with the audience."I had not even put that together Caesar, you don't suppose Master of the Games, Heavensbee added that feature, of the highly deadly force field, just to prevent Iron Heart from exploiting it again do you?"

Claudius looked wise and nods his head. "I have to say, it would make perfect sense if he did. But it did backfire in Odair's case. I think it was one of the great possible showdowns of this game that was simply wiped out by error. Iron Heart has proven himself to be a deadly factor. Nobody really expected him to step up and shine. Finn-o and Iron Heart would have been something to see. We knew Katniss and Finnick were planning to fight it out in the end. That would have been one heck of a battle. The illicit lovers, giving way to the beauty of the ultimate last dance."

Bobious gets a silly expression on his face, as if he's remembered something scandalous. "I can't wait to find out how Mellark feels about watching that event. Got to hurt to see your true love be seduced by the Playboy of Panem."

Claudius grins."He can't be that upset with her, after all he arranged this whole last showdown with our beloved President. He knows what happens in the games is a whole other world. I bet he still marries her if she wins."

Bobious shrugs and shakes his head with confusion."And there you have another extraordinary twist. What is up with the whole Papa Bear stuff? We all saw that spark of the May-December romance going on, so you just have to ask yourself, who is playing who in that relationship? Iron Heart was very unhappy about the Show in the water. We were all so enamored with that main event footage, but lets take a peek at Haymitch as he lurks in the forest witnessing Katniss and Finnick's moment of ardor. "

Claudius gives a shudder of fright for everyone's amusement. " Look at the cold eyes and the fury. Iron Heart is shaking in anger here. Even though he pretends to calm down, notice he again breaks the alliance, to be the solitary predator of the woods. You have to wonder, what cards he is holding. He has such a pokerfaced demeanor, that all this love and affection could be just a show. I mean he knows what a lethal little competitor she is, hell he trained her, and everyone knows there is some unspeakable closeness between them. It was even noticeable in the first games."

There is footage of Haymitch and Katniss on the chariots. Bobious looks constipated. It is meant to look contemplative and sly, but it doesn't work. "Yes and they have always had a level of communication near telepathy. You have to wonder if she is indeed her mentor's masterpiece. If so, what runs under the currents of this supposed mutual adoration?"

Claudius pastes 'interested' on his face. "Undeniably intriguing. After all, they both keep professing that they can't kill the other, yet if sacrificing himself or herself had been either player's true intention, you have to wonder why they didn't just give up. No sir, this is a whole new sort of game this year and these two are the most unpredictable crafty competitors in the history of the games. You have all this profound sentiment mixed into two very cunning, experienced, bittersweet strategists and All I can say is, her promising to make this worth President Snow's trouble has proven to me she still plans to go home, no matter what she tells Haymitch."

Bobious shakes his head as if his hair might stay out of his eyes for more than a split second. "We know either could win. The betting has gone wild, another record in fact, Katniss is the favorite by a wide margin, but still, Haymitch has wiped the board on all betting within the history of the games. Does that tell you how very big this Quell has turned out? It seems clever Haymitch has not drank himself into near the ruin we all assumed he had. Did you see the brutality between he and district two? Look at Abernathy's power and skill here as he literally takes the carrers out like a man of twenty-five instead of forty. Then you see him with that spear stuck to the bone and still he fights. I have heard of battle fugue, but he is just incredible. I think everyone forgot who he is, and it has worked to his advantage. His young mentor, sends him alcohol. Iron Heart Abernathy. is no drunken bum here, he seems fueled by it. Wow what an amazing show he's given us?"

Claudius nods in agreement then his dazzling smile appears again on cue. "Lets bring the district twelve mentor up and see what insight he can give us on his very amazing team of tributes." Caesar Flickerman turns to another camera angle and smoothly segues into the interview. "Peeta have we got you with us?"

Peeta smiles softly and looks directly into the camera, comfortable and confident, if still a little modest. "I am happy to be here Caesar, I only have time due to the generous feast and respite our Makers and President have provided."

"Yes, is a rather unprecedented twist, any insight into the thought behind that ?" Caesar moves some papers on his desk.

"President Snow is a huge fan of the games and he always jumps in to offer his guidance and thoughtful help in keeping the games both traditional and innovative. He feels the glory and pride of these events should never be compromised, and we all owe him a great debt, for his knowledge and his level of commitment to this Panem institution." Peeta sounds like a perfect capitol creature.

"You seem to have great respect for the president, despite having to watch your fiancée struggle through another arena. No bitter words or regret?" Caesar makes a skeptical face, which resembles someone just stabbed in the armpit more than anything.

Peeta grins as if explaining something to small children. "The Quells were planned long in advance and everyone knows he had no malevolent intent toward Katniss and I personally. He has done nothing but show us his consideration and even took the time to visit us in twelve before our tour to discuss our future and how we could both be of service to Panem." Peeta smirks and winks at the camera.

"We have to ask Peeta. You watched her with Finnick Odair. What went through your mind at that moment?"

Peeta pauses for just a split second. "It was a terribly hurtful moment for me, I can't lie about that. But things are different in the arena. You can't see it unless you have been there, but each moment is so uncertain, that every emotion and occurrence take on a brilliant hew. If Finnick were alive, I would punch him in the face, but I do know he was a great man, very dear to Haymitch, so if Haymitch didn't deck him on the spot, I can't hold his actions against him either."

"That is a very forgiving attitude Peeta. What about Katniss, can you forgive her as well?"

Peeta looks directly into the camera. "There is nothing to forgive. The games are the games and the actions there, can't be judged on this side of the camera. I won't second guess my tributes choices provided the action does not get them killed."

"Good answer Peeta. That's why they love you out there in fan land. Honestly, what can you tell us about the Katniss-Haymitch relationship? Whom are you betting on?" Caesar winks at his camera as if he can see only one answer and the audience will agree with him no matter what..

"I honestly don't know what to say here, because they have always been on a different level somehow. I never really knew if it was a fatherly sort of thing or if there were romantic undercurrents, because the rough eddies of those two, is more about battle than affection. One minute they are laughing, but bickering is the true pastime of the two of them. If this battle had not been forced on camera, I have to wonder how much longer I could have prevented it back home. They are both very volatile people and they don't improve with liquor." The people in the studio chuckle at this revelation of personal intrigue between the last two tributes. " They both have that victor personality, and our village is a small place to harbor two such people. They butt heads all the time, but we all love each other."

"But you must hope that she prevails, or have you lost some of your blind adoration for the girl who has played into the final two for the second year in a row?" Caesars' face blanches at the fact, a girl would have to be a deadly creature, to win twice. It is obvious Caesar is afraid of her.

"I love Katniss with all my heart. Nothing has changed. Nothing will. I hope to see her again, in person. I think she is much more in tune with where she stands with Haymitch then I could ever guess. After all, when he was searching for her, she decided not to answer him. I have to say she must have been following some instinct that told her staying hidden was important." Peeta chews his lips. He doesn't want to say what he really thinks of this whole show.

"Anything you would like to say about your tributes before we head back to the evening feature of our count down to the showdown?"

Peeta chewed his lip for aanother second then plastered a viciously brilliant smile on his face. "I can't wait to see how Heavensbee could possibly top this season, but if he needs an apprentice, I would love to let him know that a one legged baker would jump for joy if selected."

Caesar laughs as if he has heard good news. "We will pass that on Peeta, we will pass it on. You know you have it in the bag, one way or another so congratulations on you districts victory. Thank you for taking the time to be with us. And for our audience, thank you for inviting us into your home. That's is it for us until after the final squall tomorrow, stay tuned here for updates and weather information between the Iron and Fire of the seventy-fifth hunger games. "

The programming returns to Haymitch and Katniss, laying by a still roaring fire, both of them relaxed and dreamily staring into the cameras, talking about the stars. A bottle passes back and forth occasionally. Katniss proves to Peeta what she has spent her last year learning to do. He wonders how much time she'd spent at Haymitch's house without his knowledge, beings she belted down the liquor with the panache and relish of Haymitch himself.

"Haymitch, do you think Peeta will still love me? After this is over, I mean?"

"I don't know. You will have some things that you will have to explain to him. I would like to think he will."

"I wish I could believe it. I wish I knew how it would all be." The girls voice wavers a little, but her face stays calm.

Haymitch regards her. "Katniss, there will be things happen, that you will be angry that I didn't explain to you. There will be things that will be required of you, that I won't be there to protect you from any more."

Her face is shadowed with the fire behind her, but Haymitch sees the familiar lines of her scowl. "Like Finnick told me?" she asks carefully.

"Yes sweetheart. You and Peeta. I won't be there to stop it now." She can see the lamentation he is trying so hard not to show.

"Did that happen to you?"

"Yes. I took on more, to bargain a little more time for you both."

Katniss drops her eyes. "And we wasted it."

He smiles. "No you didn't. You were my little girl. I had a family again. Not a waste to me."

"I wish I had known you liked me. I would have tried to be nicer."

Haymitch took her hand. "What would have been the fun of that, sweetheart?" He falls back to the sand smirking.

She giggled. Then her face again became serious. "I wish I could thank you for everything. I wish we had it all to do again. How can I ever stop owing you?"

Haymitch looked at her for a long time. "Kiss me." He barely whispers.

"What?" She looks at him like he's insane.

"You heard me. Lean over here and kiss me, like you still see me as a man and not just a monstrous ogre." He squeezes her hand. "Please."

She hesitates so long he is sure she won't do it. Then she leans over and under the privacy of her curtain of hair, her lips close on his in the darkness of the night. He tucks his chin away and presses his mouth to her ear, as he slides his hand up and cups the back of her head. "Just like Finn, sweetheart, fool the cameras."

She begins to slowly move her head to the slight direction of his fingers as he whispers in her ear, conveying information he must pass on if it is not to be lost.

"When you return, There is a book I want you to have. I think you and Peeta are the ones who can end this. End Snow, end the games, if you are willing. I have fought for twenty-five years. There are others. The book will be your key. In my room, under the dresser, there is a small compartment that hides this treasure of information. If you don't want this to be your fight, get the book to Heavensbee at least."

Katniss carefully crawls on top of Haymitch, pretending to be a little tipsy and he groans as if this is what he wanted all along. He slides his other hand up her shirt, rubbing the skin of her back and they continue to pretend passion, while exchanging only secrets instead. Though the outward signs were two people in early excitement, Haymitch did not have any stirring for her and they both were in complete control. In front of all of Panem, Katniss and Haymitch plan rebellion.

By the time they stop charting the map of the end, making the audience believe in the next events that must occur, is easy. It was all flawlessly innocent and deliciously in the wrong at the same time.

"I want you Katniss," He hisses suggestively for the cameras.

Her breath gasps and she sways drunkenly. "I want you too. I want you to like me." She says with a pronounced slur.

Haymitch rolls on top of her and begins leaving trails of kisses on her throat and moving his hands around her body, though she moans as if she enjoys his touch, his fingers never make contact with any of her intimate places. She grows quiet.

"Katniss, take off your shorts. My beautiful Babydoll. Katniss? Katniss wake up?" he slaps her face gently and rapidly to rouse her. She does not respond. He sits up and drags her up shaking her. "You are kidding me. Katniss wake up!"

He sighs heavily. He is angry, and bellows like a spoiled child. "I ought to take you anyway you drunken little fool. I ought to kill you this minute." He lets her fall back to the sand, passed out and beyond the arena. "That wouldn't be much fun in either case now. I wanted you to know it. Sweetheart."

Katniss sighs happily in her pretend blackout. Haymitch squeezes her hand an she squeezes back. Haymitch keeps drinking, until he too closes his eyes.

Peeta watches them sleep. He is drinking too, but the liquor doesn't have any desired effect on him. The girl he loved since he was five years old, has finally disappointed him, and the man he trusted his life to, showed who he really was to the whole of Panem.

A woman with a silly color of hair sits next to Peeta in the cavernous empty mentors war room. She has held this boy together as best she can, but she sees the signs. Haymitch has replaced himself. She may spend the next ten years stuck in district twelve, but if Haymitch dies later this morning, as they have planned, there will barely be a ripple of change. There will simply be two shattered drunks at the district twelve control-pod, instead of one. Effie wonders if the boy will try to kiss her by next year, or if it will take two years before all decorum and courtly gentility will be liquored out of him.

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I had to create Bobious Barksworth for the interview to work, thinking halftime football banter - lol. Ok warning you - the next chapter is done and it is just terrible, horrifying and you probably shouldn't read it. Seriously - you have been warned and yelling at me because I gave you nightmares isn't technically a review…..evil grin.

I love the fake smooching while they plan rebellion….hope that does not offend - the pairing isn't actually paired - but to whisper secrets, you must have an excuse to be realllllly close.