Sorry for the long delay. Life kind of got hectic. Here's some more of Haymitch in the Games. Please leave a review on the way out!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Chapter Nine
Haymitch continued running until he collapsed. He took deep, heavy breathes and gripped the ground for security. He felt as if he was going to pass out and fall off the face of the Earth. His head was spinning and he heard a dinging noise.
After minutes of heavy breathing, Haymitch looked up from the ground and realized the dinging noise he heard was not in his mind, but a silver parachute. He crawled over to where it landed and opened up the silver container. He took out a small bottle of water and a granola bar.
Haymitch hadn't realized how thirsty he was since he climbed in the hallow tree. He drank the water in one gulp and unwrapped the granola bar before shoving it in his mouth. He probably should have made both items last longer, but he was desperate. Haymitch would have to hunt and search for water right away if he wanted to stay alive.
A small strip of paper in the bottom of the container caught Haymitch's attention.
Be very cautious. Stay far away from the others. Come back to us.
He read it over and over, trying to figure out who had sent it. Effie and Aria could not secure sponsors, so it couldn't have been them. And Haymitch assumed other sponsors could care less about him. Perhaps it was from District Twelve? Whoever sent it, Haymitch was grateful for the gift.
He soon got up on shaky feet and made his way through the trees. The sun was starting to rise and he could see a clearing up ahead. His pace quickened. He wanted out of the woods.
Haymitch began to feel the earth rumble below his feet. He grabbed the nearest rock and held on. Did the Game Makers plan an earthquake? Landslide? All of Haymitch's questions were answered when he saw a burst of red-orange in the sky. It was bright like a sunset, even though dawn just came a few minutes earlier.
Then he heard the cannon shots. One…two…three…four...five…Five!
Haymitch did not have time to wonder what was happening in the distance or who was killed in the mass killings. Three Career tributes were quickly approaching Haymitch, who assumed they were doubling back to check out the rumbling.
The three tributes stopped a few feet from Haymitch and stared. The tribute in the middle began smacking his sword in his hand in an attempt to intimidate Haymitch. The tribute on the left tightened his grip on his spear while the other pulled his knife from his belt.
Haymitch followed suite and pulled his knife from his jacket pocket. He held it away from him as a way to warn the others. The three careers smiled before running towards Haymitch.
He firmly planted his feet on ground and took a breath; I hope my family isn't watching this.
Haymitch was prepared for the first swing, but not the second…or third. Haymitch's jaw took a direct hit from the largest tribute and his stomach took a punch from another. Haymitch jumped back from the swipe of the dark haired tribute's spear and grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. With a flick of his wrist, he sliced the throat of his attacker.
Boom. The sound of one cannon.
Haymitch blocked the other tribute's hand, but failed to block the knife swipe that grazed his chest. Haymitch didn't have time to worry about the cut as another knife swipe was heading his way. Haymitch elbowed the tribute before kicking him, sending the tribute to the ground. He stuck his knife in the tribute's chest and pulled the blade it.
Boom. Another cannon.
Before Haymitch could turn and see where the final Career was, he took a blow to the face. He fell on the ground, his shoulder hit a rock protruding from the ground, sending his knife flying. The Career straddled Haymitch and began to beat on him, sending blow after blow to his face and body.
Haymitch remembered fighting in the schoolyard as a child. He often found himself on the bottom of the heap, receiving the brunt of the beatings, but sooner than later, a teacher would run out and separate the boys. Unfortunately, there was no teacher in the arena to do that.
Use his weight against him, Haymitch heard his father's words echo through him. His father was the one who taught him how to defend himself against schoolyard bullies. This was no different.
Haymitch managed to yank his arm to the back of the Career's neck and flip him over. Both boys went rolling on the grass, trying to gain control of the situation. Haymitch threw another elbow, getting the Career off his back long enough to see that his knife was only a few inches away.
Haymitch stretched out his arm, reaching for the knife, only to have the Career hold him back by his hair. Haymitch watched helplessly as the Career picked up his own knife and held it to his throat.
He could feel the cool steal blade pressed against the delicate skin on his neck. He squeezed his eyes shut not wanting to see red spill from his body. The point of the knife was sharp and Haymitch could feel blood being drawn.
Boom. The third cannon sounded.
Haymitch slowly opened his eyes, realizing he was still alive. He saw the tribute off to his side; eyes wide open with a look of shock on his face. He snatched his knife from the Career and turned around, aiming his knife at whoever killed his attacker.
Maysilee.