Chapter 12
Katniss is going back into the arena, against other victors. I have to go back in to protect her. This time, there will be only one victor. And I know for certain, there is no future for me and Katniss. But, she could live and come back home and have a future with Gale. I just have to make sure that if I get drawn, Haymitch won't volunteer.
I run out of the house. Strait to Haymitch's. I open the door and find Haymitch at his table with a bottle of liquor. I sit down across from him.
"Kid, don't try anything, I'm older, you've got a life ahead of you. I know how to win a Quarter Quell. I'll protect her," he says, knowing why I'm here.
"I can't risk it, Haymitch. I won't watch her die, and not be able to do anything to save her." I say. Haymitch starts to protest. "Look, you choose to keep Katniss alive in the first Games, right? Now you owe me. So we got to protect Katniss. That's what I want. I don't care what she says, it's Katniss and that go in.
"Kid, I don't-" he begins.
"Look, Haymitch, we need someone to to mentor us, and, you said yourself you know how to win a Quarter Quell." I say. "You owe me."
"Fine, it's you and her in the arena." he says.
I smile and go back home. I lay down on my bed. I'm going back into the arena. I accept the fact, and fall asleep.
I wake up and go straight to Katniss's house. I don't need to get dressed because I slept in my cloths. I just wan to make sure Katniss is okay about the announcement.
Iris answers the door. "Hello." she mumbles. I can tell she isn't in a good mood right now.
"Is Katniss, around?" I ask.
She looks up from her feet. "Yes. But she's... she's hungover." she says.
"What?" I ask. That can't be right.
"She went to Haymitch's house, and came back drunk. She... even brought a bottle home." says Iris. I guess it's true.
I was going to be nice about the whole Quarter Quell announcement, but now, I realize I need to make Katniss train, and I'll punish Haymitch, for letting her have the liquor in the first place, by making him train too.
"Don't worry, Iris. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again." I say.
And then, I track down Ripper. "Hey," I shout when I see her in town.
She stops and gives me a sad smile. "Hey, I'm sorry about the Quell." she says.
I sigh. I can't yell at her, now. "Yeah... Listen. Katniss got drunk last night. And I realize now, if one of us is going to come back, we can't all be alcoholics. So, if you sell to either Katniss or Haymitch, I'll turn you in to the Peacekeepers. Got it?" I say. Ripper nods. I put some money on the table. "Thank you." I say, and walk to the Victor's Village.
I open Haymitch's door. I approach Haymitch. He looks tired. "Haymtich." I yell.
He jumps up and looks at me. "Boy, why are you here? I still remember, you go into the arena, we save Katniss." he says.
I smile. "So, I heard Katniss came by to visit you last night, as well." Haymitch nods. "Why did she try to convince you to let me win? Or what?" I ask.
"Your not wrong." says Haymitch. "But don't worry. I know it won't make a difference if your alive and she isn't. I'll save her."
"I'm glad you remember, but that's not why I'm here, Haymitch." I say.
He lets out a frustrated breath. "It's not that big of a deal, she didn't even finish the bottle." he says. I stop myself from attacking him.
It's not that big of a deal? We can't win if we're all drunk!" I yell.
Haymitch rubs his face. "Fine I won't give her anymore," he says.
"It's too late for that, Haymitch." I say, and grab every bottle in his house. I go upstairs, so Haymitch won't see me pour them out. I put the empty bottles into a cardboard box. When I get downstairs, I notice Katniss at his table, too. I grin, and place the cardboard box on the table. "There, it's done," I say. But I don't think what I've done has clicked with either of them.
"What's done?" Katniss says under her breath.
I move away from both of them. "I've poured all the liquor down the drain," I say.
Haymitch jumps a little. "You what?"
"I tossed the lot," I say.
"He'll just buy more." Katniss says sounding annoyed.
"No he won't," I say. "I tracked down Ripper this morning and told her I'd turn her in the second she sold to either of you. I payed her off, too, just for good measure, but I don't think she's eager to be back in the Peacekeeper's custody."
Hamitch tries to stab me with his knife, but I deflect it easily.
"What business is it of yours what he does?" Katniss asks angrily.
"It's completely my business." I say. "However it falls out, two of us are going to be in the arena again with the other as mentor. We can't afford any drunkards on this team. Especially not you, Katniss."
"What? Last night's the only time I've ever been drunk." she says.
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, and look at the shape you're in,"
Katniss looks down at her fists, then back at Haymitch. "Don't worry, I'll get you more liquor."
"Then I'll turn you both in. Let you sober up in the stocks," I say.
"What's the point to this?" Haymitch asks rolling his eyes.
"The point is that two of us are coming home from the Capitol. One mentor and one victor," I say. Katniss sighs. "Effie's sending me recordings of all the living victors. We're going to watch their Games and learn everything we can about how they fight. We're going to start acting like carriers. And one of us is going to be victor again whether you like it or not!" I say leaving the house and slamming the door behind me.
