As they watched the train carry on its journey without them, Katniss felt some relief. It felt like it was carrying away some of her pain away with it. Setting foot on home ground had settled her somewhat and now the Capitol felt like a different world. Picking up their bags, they began their walk to Victor's Village.
"So, your place or mine?" enquired Haymitch.
Katniss did not ask why they could not live in their own separate houses. She did not want to be alone and was glad that Haymitch had not put her through the humiliation of having to ask him to stick around. She seized the option to avoid the painful memories that lay waiting in her own home.
"Yours," she said determinedly.
"Alright-y then."
They continued the rest of their journey in complete silence. When they reached the wall surrounding Victor's Village, Katniss came to a stand-still. She stood frozen, afraid of what memories might be triggered upon entering. Things she had been blocking out started racing through her mind. Haymitch carried on without missing her walking beside him for a few metres. When he noticed her absence, he turned around and outstretched his arm.
"C'mon. I need to get in and have a drink. There ain't nothing in here that can hurt you." Haymitch's voice barely masked the impatience that was welling up inside him. He felt like his quota of caring had already been used up. His own issues were dangerously frothing to the surface and he was desperate to drown them away. Haymitch cursed his decision not to drink to his usual excess on the train.
"Katniss," he hissed. "Don't have a god-damn breakdown here, wait 'til we get inside." There was no reaction.
"Move, god-damn it."
Haymitch recognised he was being harsh. He knew it, but could not stop himself. He knew he should gently persuade her and talk her around, but he did not have that much of himself to give.
"Now," he shouted.
Haymitch suddenly registered the glazed look in her eyes, she seemed almost unconscious.
"Katniss, can you hear me?
He dropped his bags and moved tentatively over to her. He clicked his fingers and waved his hands in front of her, but her eyes remained vacant. He stood for a while trying to figure out what to do. There would be no medical help within the vicinity and he would not be able to leave her to seek any sort of help anyway. Abandoning their bags, he hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her to his house.
