Hello lovlies! I hope you all had a very good holiday season and a very Happy New Year! I cannot believe it is 2016! Crazy, huh? Well, I've kept all of you waiting on this story, and I hope this chapter does you all justice. I've been busy with school and finals and stuff, and have had a couple majorfamily issues, though I know that is hardly an excuse. I hope you all enjoy, though!

wouldratherbeaunicorn: I'm so excited to write for Haymitch! I haven't written many stories where I get to spore his character, so I am very excited to do so!

Emmeline Phoenix12: I have quite a few plans for Haymitch, so you'll get a few hints in this chapter…

StellaSlomp: Haymitch had his reasons for doing that, but it's still a pretty essex up thing to do. I hope this chapter explains a bit. :)

ohsoloverly: I'm very glad you're liking it so far! I'm having a lot of fun writing these twists in, and I hope you're having fun reading them!

Spectrobes Princess: Finnick would do anything for Annie, I have no doubts about that. That is such a cool Halloween costume! I loved Young Justice and totally had a crush on Wally! (I really think I have a thing for fictional red heads… Finnick, Fred, George and Ron, Wally… Oh gosh XD)

TheEmeraldQueen: Almost wrote Haymitch getting punched in the face… It doesn't happen this chapter, but I won't say he won't in further chapters...

Coolofthecool: I'm very glad you enjoyed the chapter! :D

thewanderlustmarauder: Sounds like a blast! I wish I had candy… I might go steal from the oreo supply at my pantry, though…

Rie: I'm so very glad you like the story! It's a ton of fun to write and I'm vert glad you're enjoying it!

Guest: Thank you! I'm very glad you're enjoying it! It's a lot of fun to write!

March 1st

"I promised what?" The joy of getting Annie back is short lived. I promised a beast, a thing, a child that doesn't exist, and putting Annie through that, making her have a child just to give it away, I couldn't do that to her. I couldn't put myself through that. I want a family with Annie, eventually. I would regret it forever if I used our child as a means of escape. Annie looks pale and weak, swaying as though she is on the verge of falling. Her thoughts are probably similar to mine. I steady her with my hands and look at the older man with venom in my eyes. "How could you have me promise something like that?"

Haymitch gives a smirk, betraying the former pity I saw, and gives a low chuckle. "Listen, kid, I was desperate. I wanted to get out of there so badly. Do you know what it's like to be trapped, not having feeling, living as a shadow, the world devoid of color? Can you imagine being stuck in a literal hell on earth simply because you were at the wrong place at the wrong time? I wasn't even able to sleep to escape. I haven't slept since the 60's! I know decades have passed since then. I've been watching your little gang. I know that one of your girls is pregnant. Take that baby and give it to Avarice. As long as he gets his baby, he doesn't care who it comes from!"

Annie, though weak, looks horrified. "We couldn't do that to Johanna! The baby is hers and she loves them! We can't just give them away to be killed!"

Haymitch looks at Annie, the smirk still there. "Well, just get yourself knocked up then, sweetheart."

"Hell no. I'm not going to do that to Annie." I look at her; her eyes show nothing but fear. "What if we kill him? What if we kill Avarice?"

Haymitch's low chuckle explodes into laughter. "Kill Avarice? Last time someone tried to kill Avarice, they died. I came here on a crew, kid. My ship got shipwrecked and only a handful of us survived. Those of us who survived got picked off by Avarice, one by one, torturing them, letting us find their bodies days later looking like they were tortured, until it was just me and a man named Beetee left. We figured out how to kill him, but it was impossible. Beetee got killed, tortuered and I essentially sold my soul because I was afraid of dying. I was afraid of being in the pain the rest of the men were in. We tried to kill Avarice and failed. I doubt a group of kids can do it."

I looked at Haymitch with a look of hatred I don't think I've ever used before. "We will do it. I'll do it. I'll keep Annie safe."

Annie shook her head. "No, no Finnick. What if you get killed? I couldn't live with myself if you died because I was stupid. We have a year. We'll spend this year together and then I'll go back to Avarice, willingly. He doesn't need more than one servant. You'll be safe here. The others need you, Finnick."

"I need you, Annie. I'd sooner kill myself before letting you go back to him." I kiss the top of her head. "You didn't want to get in this mess. I wish I went with you, to begin with. We wouldn't be in this mess now." I kiss the top of her head. Annie's in tears and starting to hyperventilate. I remember the backpack I brought with me and grab a water bottle out of it and give it to Annie, attempting to calm her down.

"It's all my fault. This is all my fault," she's chanting the words over and over, crying harder than I've ever seen her cry.

"Shh, shh, Annie, it'll be okay. I promise. Everything will be okay." I look over at Haymitch, standing awkwardly, looking like he's really interested on a leaf on the ground. "We need to go back to the house. If you do work, help fish and hunt, you're free to come with us. This being said, if you do anything to hurt anyone in the house, I will make you want to be a shadow again."

Haymitch shrugs. "Relax, kid. I don't want to do anything to you or anyone in your house. I'll put in some work and help out on the whole Avarice situation. I'm not keen on becoming his servant again."

I lead him over to where the jetski's are. "You know how to drive one?" Haymitch shakes his head. Annie's not good to drive in the condition she's in. "Wait here, then. I'll drop Annie off and get Gale or Peeta to come with me to pick you up. Don't move."

Haymitch makes himself comfortable on the ground as I start up the jetski. Annie climbs on and grabs me across the waist. We ride mostly in silence, but I hear her let out the occasional whimper. We get back to the dock, the moon high in the sky. It's about two in the morning, but as awake as I am, it feels so much earlier. I tie off the jetski and help Annie out, taking her hands carefully in mine. She starts to cry again. I pull her in for a hug and kiss the top of her head. "Hey, hey, I promised you everything would be aright."

She nods, but continues to cry. She crumples to the ground on the dock and I rub her back, and play with her hair, hoping my brushing out her tangles with my fingers helps, until she finally cannot cry anymore, and starts letting out gasping sounds that eventually lead to hiccuping. She looks up at me, her eyes red and full of regret. "I don't deserve you, Finnick."

I help her to her feet and kiss the top of her head again. "Bullshit," I say before leading her inside.

Thank you guys so much for reading and for all of your support! It truly means a lot! I know I'm not the best at updating in a timely manner, but I don't ever forget about you guys, or this story! Thank you so much for the 33 faves and 65 followers! You are all so incredible! I would love to thank each and everyone of you in person, if I could!

Tell me y'all's thoughts, please!

Question of the Day

How was your holiday?

With Love,

-Juliet