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Disclaimer: Not my characters, just my plot.

Chapter 10

Peeta had left a pile of letters on the mantelpiece above his fireplace. The unopened letters had been sitting there for three days and Haymitch still couldn't bring himself to sort through his mail. He didn't receive mail often; most of the mails were newsletters from the Capitol with steady stream of information to update its citizens of the rebuilding currently being carried out or had been completed all over Panem.

But as he glanced towards the mantelpiece, a magenta coloured envelope caught his attention. He gingerly picked the envelope up and noted that his name was written neatly in Effie's small cursive handwriting. He slid out a piece of lilac coloured paper and unfolded it.

Dearest Haymitch,

How have you been? I hope this letter finds you well, if you bother checking your mailbox at all.

President Paylor sends her regards and so does Beetee (say hello to Mitchie, he says) who is here at the Capitol for a meeting regarding communications in the Districts.

I have been meaning to call you but I'm afraid I have never gotten round to it. It wasn't because I was busy and couldn't find the time, but I wasn't sure how you would receive my call.

I thought I should start off with a letter. I know we didn't really part on good terms but I've had time to think. I kept replaying the conversation we had in your sitting room just before I left and I realised that while you had wanted me to go back to the Capitol and that you had denied meeting another woman, you had never answered my last question. You didn't say you didn't love me anymore. It gives me a strange sort of comfort that perhaps things are not lost.

It led me to wonder why, of course. If you still do love me, then why drive me away? You are an extremely complicated man, Haymitch Abernathy. There must be a reason. You hardly ever do anything without a good reason unless when you are drunk but you and I both know that you weren't drunk that day.

You kept saying that I would be happy at the Capitol. Why is that, I wonder? Why do you think I can't be happy with you in District 12? I had spent nearly two years living in the same house with you at Victors Village and I was happy, Haymitch. Is it so difficult for you to believe that?

Yes, it hurts when you kept breaking your promises and going back to drinking your life away. But you've changed. I never did apologise. I'm sorry, Haymitch. I'm sorry I left you. I shouldn't have. I should have stayed and helped you. I should have been there when you were trying to get better. I can never forgive myself for letting you go through it all alone. But please, let me be there now.

I've missed you so much, Haymitch. Seeing you at the Capitol during the Anniversary Ball was one of the happiest moments I had ever since I returned to the Capitol. Did you know that I called Peeta and Katniss so often hoping that you would be there at their house and that maybe I could hear your voice in the background? I know, I'm extremely foolish.

I have everything I needed at the Capitol but you're not here and I miss you, terribly. I feel like I'm only going through the motions. Anyway, I think I've written long enough and I fear that I may bore you to tears. Please call me to tell me that you're okay.

Yours always,

Effie

Haymitch read the letter twice before bringing it up to his nose to sniff it. It smelled like her and Haymitch sat there speculating if Effie Trinket sprayed her citrus perfume on every letter she sent out. She had asked him to call her. But, truthfully, this was not something he could fix over the phone.

He contemplated asking Peeta or Katniss for help. Haymitch drummed his fingers on the arm rest of the sofa. No, he thought, there are some things that I must do alone. He flipped the envelope in his hand and turned it over. There, written in such small print that Haymitch had to squint to read, at the bottom right corner of the envelope was a return address. Haymitch gave a self-satisfied smile. He knew where she lived now.

XxX

Haymitch had set out for the train station early that morning before either Katniss or Peeta realised he was gone. The sky was still dark with the occasional chirpings of birds as they roused from their nests. Haymitch relished the peace and quiet in District 12 with most of its people still sound asleep in bed.

Stepping on the train, Haymitch found a seat near one of the windows and settled down. As the train passed by each district, Haymitch noted how the fencing surrounding each district had already been taken down. Just like in District 12, he saw several Capitolites in the districts. Haymitch had a distinct feeling that those people were possibly representatives of the new Government, sent to liaise with the individual districts.

Haymitch felt himself growing anxious as the train neared the Capitol. Checking his watch, he noticed that it was nearly noon with the sun sitting high in the sky. Haymitch took a deep breath to gather his courage before he braved the storm of Capitol citizens. He made a beeline for the taxi stand and slid inside giving the Avox the address. He was lucky to have escaped the crowd without being stopped. He saw some of the people had given him a curious look, seemingly having recognised him from his time as a victor, mentor and one of the prominent rebels.

The taxi came to a screeching stop in front of a towering majestic building. Stepping out onto the curb, he made his way inside and fished around his pocket for the now extremely creased envelope. 18th floor, he noted and rushed into a closing elevator.

"Sorry," he mumbled to an odd looking middle age woman with pale blue skin. She must have been one of those people that had dyed their skin an unnatural colour, Haymitch thought as he recalled Effie telling him about the lifestyle of the Capitol people before the Rebellion. "Eighteen please."

Haymitch stood in front of Effie's apartment and stared at the white wooden door. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulder. Just as he was about to knock on the door, it pulled open and Effie walked into him.

"Ooff," he grunted.

"Sorry! I didn't see –"she stopped mid sentence and stared at Haymitch. Her mouth hanging open in surprised before she snapped it shut and shook herself out of her trance. "Haymitch?"

"The last time I checked, that was my name." He mumbled feeling slightly out of place. She stepped into her apartment and slammed the door in his face. He stared at it in surprise and soon enough, she yanked it open again.

"Oh dear, you're still here. You must be real, then," she chuckled to herself. She's gone mad. The thought flitted across Haymitch's mind.

"Did you call before you came? Did I miss your call?" she asked him.

"No. Was it rude of me that I didn't inform you before hand?"

"Under normal circumstances, yes, it would be rude. But, I shall make an exception," she smiled at him and shut the door behind her.

"Well, I was just going for lunch. Are you coming?" she asked him, already making her way towards the elevator.

He shook his and jogged to catch up with her. "Where to?" he called out.

"You'll see! Now come along,"

Well, this is going to be interesting, Haymitch thought as they rode the elevator down.

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