Chapter Four
Haymitch was shocked. Literally. In a moment he was teasing her, she was telling him to go away, and then she fainted, mumbling some weird stuff. At first, of course, he didn't react, because he had his headache too, and his mind didn't quite understand what was going on. He tried to wake her up, but she just shivered and even screamed, starting to tremble.
He has ran to Peeta and Katniss' house, honestly, only when she didn't wake up, because well, that was unusual. He has not been scared, not really, he just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be a dead in his house. He wouldn't care more about her, now would he? She was just an annoying woman, who retched on his sheets after years of rating him about that, and who fainted in his bathroom. So, it was nothing personal, just making sure nobody dies.
"That annoying woman fainted in my bathroom, during a hangover and now she's mumbling nonsense", he has said, once Peeta has opened the door, and the boy has shaken his head not understanding who he was talking about. "Trinket!", he has explained, gritting, because he was so annoyed about the situation, he couldn't stop himself. It was not something that happened every day, to have a woman losing her senses in his house, and he convinced himself it was all just that. That he didn't care about her, not a bit. After all, they have had sex sometimes, but it didn't mean much to him. He cared about her by then, maybe, but not now. He couldn't think of himself caring, after years of not even ringing to her to check how was she doing. No, he surely didn't care about her.
"Katniss!", has shouted the boy for his wife, and she has come there in a matter of second, raising her eyebrows, not yet aware of what was going on. "Effie fainted in his bathroom probably having a new kind of episode and he's worried", he has cleared up, when he has noticed his wife opening her mouth to speak and ask Haymitch what was he doing there.
"Worried about her, huh?", she has teased him, of course. He hasn't been very pleased by it, but he hasn't complained, not even replied, since his thoughts were at Effie, shaking in his bathroom. He started convincing himself, of course, that if that was someone else, he would be worried too, but he knew that was a lie. "Are we getting old, Haymitch?"
"Oh, well, if you want me to stop worrying, we can do it all. But then do not feel guilty, nor put it all on me when she will die because of you", he has gritted, rolling his eyes. The girl has become serious in a matter of a blink, and she has taken some medications to give her, in case.
"I know you care", she has whispered in his ear, only that he could hear her, and she has grinned so openly, that he has even huffed. "You cannot lie to me, not about this", she has added, when Peeta has been all ready to go.
"Fuck you, Katniss", has been his answer, and she hasn't taken it far anymore. He wasn't in the mood of teasing, and Katniss must have noticed it, because she just has shut her mouth quiet and has ran towards his house, to check on Effie right away.
They have entered the room, stared at her, and here they were, kneeling next to her, trying to wake her up, which was not easy at all.
"Peeta, fend me some water! Cold, in a bucket!", shouted Katniss, staring at Effie's red and sweat face, trying not to break up. She knew Effie was fighting a battle inside, but still, she could not think she liked doing what she was doing. She has never been the nurse in the house, it has always been her sister, alongside her mother, but one was already dead, the other was somewhere ignoring Katniss. But the girl knew she could not break in such moment, only because thinking of her sister was painful, so she shook her head, wiping some tears she has accidentally cried out away.
"Is she going to be alright?", asked Peeta, once he was already back, but Katniss didn't reply, so he repeated "Is she going to be alright, Katniss?". She glanced at him, she shrugged and then glanced at Effie back. Haymitch, by his way, was staying apart, his head on the wall, with his fists ready to punch it. He was furious; a woman was going to die, in his bathroom, and that woman was not someone casual, but Effie Trinket. How funny, he thought bitterly, she used to tell me not to poison myself with alcohol and now she's going to die just when she was having a hangover. She is so stupid, but when I say it nobody believes me... Oh, damn it! She's going to die in my fucking bathroom!
Haymitch turned to them, just when he heard water splashing on the floor. He raised his eyebrows, but they didn't say a thing. Instead, Peeta started slapping lightly Effie's face "Effie? Oh, come on, Effie!". Both, Katniss and Haymitch held their breath, staring at Effie's wet, shaking body. Still, she didn't wake up, and Haymitch stood up, punching the wall strongly, hurting his knuckles, but he didn't care, not anymore. That annoying woman was not waking up and they couldn't do a thing about it. Well, he hasn't even helped a lot, but still, it felt so terrible to be unhelpful in such a moment. "Effie, wake up!", he heard Peeta shouting, but he didn't turn up to them, afraid he would do something stupid, when he would see Effie again. He could still hear, anyway, Effie's body behind him, while she was trying to defend herself, and sometimes he even heard her mumble something.
"Effie, do you hear me?". Well, this time it was Katniss, and Haymitch, huffing, turned around, to see them and he gasped, when he saw Effie's red-pale skin, her hair all so messed up. So he came closer to her, touching her forehead, not even aware of what he was doing. "Oh, come on! What is wrong with her?", said Katniss, irritated and Haymitch couldn't reply her, but he agreed with her irritation.
Then, the scream went all over the house. It was a loud, terrible, frightening scream. They all snapped their heads at her, their eyes widening open. Haymitch tried to slap her, to wake her from that terrible pain, but all she did was tremble, pull her hair and scream again. Now, they didn't know what to do, seriously. She was shaking, crying, breathing heavily and if that wasn't enough, she started digging her nails into her skin, with blood streaming down her. So they started slapping her more strongly, they tried to pull her hands away from her skin, they wiped her tears away, but all she did, was fight with them. Three people fighting one person and it was not a winning one for them.
"Goddamn it! It's impossible to wake her up! Peeta, Katniss, she's going to die this way!", shouted Haymitch, finally, frustrated and they all looked up at him, opening their mouths to deny it, but then, she stopped shaking. Precisely, she stopped shaking and screaming, and crying, but she also seemed to sing some kind of lullaby.
"She truly believes us. Damn you, Haymitch!", swore the boy, finally deciding to go to the hospital. He looked for Katniss, highly aware that Haymitch would not move a finger to help her in the moment, quite shocked about it all.
"Well, fuck you, Peeta!", gritted the old man, going off the bathroom to take a bottle of liquor, because he couldn't handle it anymore. He was shocked, overwhelmed and – dammit! – concerned about her. He started considering alcohol poisoning in the moment, but he shook his head sharply, realizing it wasn't the best thing thought. His hangover, though, was long gone by now, but a new way of headache went through his way, since being concerned always gave him a headache.
"Haymitch!", called out for him Katniss and he went to the stairs, only to see them carrying Effie, not really pleased by what they were doing.
"Couldn't just call the doctor to come over here and check on her, could you?", he teased, always finding a good way to joke around, even in such situation. He started tapping his fingers of his left hand on the wall, while with his other hand he touched his dark-blonde, dirty hair. He shuddered feeling how repulsive his hair was, but he immediately shook his head, realizing it was an Effieish thought.
"I can't understand how can you not take such situation seriously", snorted Peeta, definitely worn out by Haymitch's stupid and careless behavior. The only answer he got by the old victor, was a stupid grin on his old, definitely not shaved, face. "Haymitch, just a second earlier you were so worried, that you would make a tree fall, you couldn't even tease and now you act like you don't give a fuck about it. Make up your mind!", rated the boy, finally going downstairs and laying Effie back on the floor, because it was true: carrying her to the hospital would not be possible and calling a doctor was way more easy, but still... He wasn't sure that was the exact thing to do, so he needed a moment to think.
"Pay attention to don't wear yourself out thinking", teased him again Haymitch, and this time the boy didn't stop himself by punching the older man in the face. It reminded very much of the first time they spoke to each other; actually, it was the almost same, because it even almost ended the same way: Peeta with his back on the wall, with a broken nose and Haymitch against the other wall, breathing heavily. "I'm too old for these jokes, boy", breathed out Haymitch, touching his jaw, where the boy has punched him first.
"Peeta, can you call the doctor, please? I talk to him", proposed the girl and Peeta shrugged, agreeing, checking the last time on Haymitch and then on a singing Effie. He went straight to the phone, leaving the two, well three, alone.
"Wanna gimme some stupid advice, sweetheart?", he grinned, sitting on the couch, finally getting to drink. He was tired and he wished the doctor would come right away and take Effie away from his house, so he could finally relax.
Katniss smiled lightly, sitting on the stairs, her gaze never leaving Effie's too calm body. "'Guess 'stay alive' would be useless, because we all know that no matter how much effort you put in dying, you don't", she winked, kneeling down next to Effie, to control her pulse; when she heard it, she didn't relax a bit anyway, because she felt it irregular and too slow. The blood in Effie's body was probably boiled for what happened earlier and she widened her eyes, standing up to take a mug and some fresh water for Effie.
He glanced at Effie, checking if Katniss was still going in the kitchen for the water and he murmured, "If you hear me, sweetheart... Last advice: stay alive". She didn't react, it was obvious, but still, Haymitch smirked, drinking from the bottle again, because he realized that was what he always said, to anyone. So, he treated her like she was anyone and that meant he didn't care much. He was pleased by it, because caring meant losing; at least that was what he has learned in his life. All the people he has ever cared about, was already long dead. His mother, his brother, his girlfriend, Chaff, a few friends there and here... All dead. Sure, he also cared about Peeta and Katniss, but that was different, he tried to convince himself. He couldn't care about Effie, because she was already dying and if he would care about her now, he would not bear her death. So, he shook his head, took another sip from the bottle and he waited for Katniss to come and save him from his stupid and sappy thoughts.
She arrived a few minutes later, carrying two mugs, one of coffee and one of water, which made Haymitch raise his eyebrows. "What's that coffee for?", he asked, quite shocked. Katniss shrugged, kneeled next to Effie and curled her lips, lightly smiling when she saw her opening, slowly, her eyes.
"I wasn't sure why, when I made it, but now I think I'll take use of it", she smirked and she stroke Effie's forehead, giving her the water. She was a wretch, barely breathing, tired, her eyes closing again to rest, finally and her chest raising and falling a bit irregularly.
"The Sleeping Beauty finally decided to wake up?", teased Haymitch, standing up and kneeling down next to Katniss, grinning at Effie, who, by her way, didn't feel the need to smile nor take his tease as an actual joke.
Just in the moment, Peeta entered the room, not even glancing at them for a while, still thinking about his phone call. "I just called the doctor... Sorry it took so long, but he wasn't answering and I had to wait up a bit", he sighed, still not looking at them; stupid thing, because if only he had actually done that, he would not say what he did. "He said to wait up a minute and if she doesn't 'come back to life', they will have to-" he stopped abruptly only when he finally moved his gaze on them and he saw Effie awake. He gaped, closing his mouth immediately and took a step apart, quite embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Peeta. It's alright", assured him the blonde woman, sighing in relief for finally waking up.
He kneeled down on the other side of her and he embraced her tightly, stroking her hair and pulling her apart only after a few moments. "You gave us such a fright!", he exclaimed, so happy she was alright. Well, she was not exactly alright, but she was already sipping her coffee and she was starting to breathe more regularly.
"It's not easy to fight the demons inside", she admitted, breathing heavily. "And I'm not feeling well anyway. I'm afraid that if I close my eyes again, they will be there, to do what they stopped doing since two years", she sobbed, but she waved a hand in front of her face, shaking it. "Sorry, I'm so sentimental now... Haymitch, by the way", she gazed at him, with an apologizing smile drawn on her face, "I'm sorry for those sheets. I shouldn't have retched on them, it won't happen again, ever. I really lost my attitude when I woke up with that nauseous feeling to just vomit".
"Oh, no need to apologize", he stood up, while saying that and he didn't add anything to that, which probably meant the conversation was done. He knew he would have to talk to her later, but for now, he knew she needed some sleeping pills or whatever, so the doc would come and he didn't like them. He actually didn't like people very much, that was the whole point, but he didn't like doctors even more. They were annoying, they gave you pills, checked on you and always told you to stop doing whatever you liked to do usually.
Once, when he arrived to District Thirteen, he remembered that they sent him in recover, because he was a wretch; he was a wretch and that was caused by constant drinking any kind of alcohol, so he needed time to get to feel better. Of course, soon when they discovered he was not going to feel better, they have left him on his own in his apartment he shared – surprise! – with a doctor. Their hate, their disgust against each other was mutual and Haymitch felt the urge to change his apartment, but of course, that was not possible, not even for him.
"Today at work they told me-", started the doctor, but Haymitch ignored him, still staring at the wall without even blinking. That was what he usually did those days; the terrible need to drink again was so urging, that he needed something to do. Unluckily for him, his days were not busy; all he had to do was recover and he was not doing well in that job. He sometimes wondered why did they keep him alive, but then he always shook his head, bitterly realizing it was to test him; if he would survive that, he would survive most of the things they had in plan for him.
"I don't give a fuck about what they told you at work", he snapped, tapping his fingers on his unmade bed, but the doctor didn't react. Stupid man, he thought, he thinks waiting will give him anything. I am sure he thinks I'm just lacking of manners and I'm not willing to do anything, not that I'm not capable of it.
"Haymitch, they told me I have to help you, but I say: why don't you help yourself?", grinned the doctor, gesturing with his hand in front of Haymitch's face. "See, helping a man who panics because alcohol is lacking in his veins, is not worth my time. I'll tell you what you will have to do and you'll do it yourself. Let's hope that will change your attitude." Of course, those words felt like a punch, because Effie was the only one who could rate him about his attitude, but he didn't say a thing, highly aware that if he would only mention a little thing of that, the doctor would ask questions and he surely didn't need that. He was highly aware, also, that it wasn't an attitude a doctor was supposed to have, but he didn't care if the man would be fired for his words later.
"Go on", he just mumbled, now starting to literally eat his fingers, trying to suppress his anger, which seemed to boil and boil. He was not angry because of that man talking like Effie, that was nothing. He was angry because he needed alcohol, which was the only machine giving him life; how could he live without it. Effie had nothing to do with that, luckily for him, but still, she crept into his thoughts so often, he even started hearing her voice everywhere, rating him about his terrible, terrible, terrible behavior. But he didn't care; he didn't listen to her, because listening would be dangerous. Listening to someone who's not there with you means you're crazy, or that you care, or both, and he knew none of them represented his actual situation.
"You will walk down the hallway every day, for at least one hour. You will go to eat as asked and you will drink as much water as required. You will start walking off on the air, only when you will feel better. Also", he looked up at the drunkard, "You will take the medicines I will give you every evening. You will not complain."
"Just get me off here as soon as you can", replied Haymitch not pleased by the orders, but at least he was sure it was not something special. Walking, eating, drinking water. That would be his life in the next few days, but the vision of it didn't really give him much fright.
"Oh, and you will shower", added the doctor, grinning. Haymitch didn't like that grin; it was always him grinning to someone, no one was allowed to do what he did. No one.
"Okay", he just said, falling on the sheets to relax a bit. The doctor went out of the room and he turned the lights off, although that was totally not needed.
In the next few weeks he did as required and even if he didn't truly recover, he at least felt better. But still, he hated that doctor and the hate probably remained 'till now, because the only thought of a doctor in his house, made his nauseous. He didn't like nauseous.
So when he heard someone knocking on the door, he didn't even do the kids the favor to go there and open it; instead, he took a bottle of wine and took a long, loud sip, relaxing a bit. He grinned, even, when he realized the job that doctor did for him wasn't useful by now and he took another sip, content.
His happiness vanished when he heard a scream, and he ran towards the sitting room where Effie was supposed to be.
"Haymitch, please... Take that syringe away from me. Please, he's going to sedate me, because he says there might be some problems with my blood, but I swear, I'm fine", pleaded him Effie, leaning against the wall. His look was way too concerned, in the moment, more than usual, but he didn't move a finger to help her. She cried, trying to make him reason, but he knew that this time – and not only this one – she was not right.
"If the doctor says you need it, there must be a reason for it", he gritted, sounding too aggressive, more than he wanted. He huffed, realizing that whatever he did, it was always not exactly what he planned to do.
"But...", sobbed Effie, breaking up just in front of him. Still, he didn't move an inch, glaring at the kids, who shrugged, highly aware that in such moment, Haymitch would just do a better job.
"Doc, do your job. Now. If you say she needs to be sedated, so be it... Just get over all of this as soon as you can!", he instructed him, sitting on the couch, because he was already overwhelmed. It was like all of the stuff going on in the world was on him and he couldn't bear it anymore. He needed another drink, but he left it somewhere he last was.
"You know... I might just give her sleeping pills... Yeah, that would be definitely better", stammered the doctor and Haymitch shrugged, not much caring about that stuff. He only cared about himself, of course. He has ran towards here, of course, because someone was screaming bloody murder, he couldn't just stay there and drink as if nothing was going on in his house. Oh, hasn't he said he didn't want a woman running around his house? Well, well, his wish has not been listened and he could see better now, why would he not want all of it.
"Effie, it will be alright", assured her Peeta, standing up to embrace her. Also Katniss stood up, squeezing Effie's hand and Haymitch faked a retch, as if he didn't like that sappy situation.
"Aw, c'mon, Haymitch, don't you fancy a bit of sweet moments too?", asked the girl, smiling and he mouthed an inaudible 'no', which made Effie and Katniss chuckle.
"Um... May I?", interrupted the doctor, feeling a bit like an outsider in the house. Effie nodded, not totally sure, but she made her decision, which was to stay alive, as required. "You must take it now, so you can relax and gain some energies", he noticed, but again, Effie didn't complain anymore.
"It would be bad attitude not to agree with him, wouldn't it?", he teased her, smirking, but she huffed, turning on her heels to the doctor, to take the pills. Katniss, of course, went straight to the kitchen to take her a glass of water to drink on the pills and Haymitch couldn't help but think: They're acting as if it was their house...
Soon enough, the doctor went back home, Effie fell asleep and the kids wished him good luck, but he didn't even care to wonder about what. Once they were gone, he went to his bedroom, making up in his mind not to feed the geese today, and he just fell asleep too, strangely without any nightmare. Oh, that was weird, but it didn't worry him. What worried him, was the fact that later he would have to talk to Effie and that was definitely a terrible, worrying thing.
So he fell asleep thinking of the conversation he'd have, not quite even realizing it.
So, I'm back with this new chapter! Agni x
I honestly hope you liked it and if you could leave me any review, I'd love it! I'd love to hear anything, even if you would like to criticize me!
This chapter, I might also say, was one of the most difficult ones, but I still hope I did a good job!
I hope you enjoyed it!