in which Effie settles in District Thirteen...

Chapter 35

Years of seeing videos from the Capitol had given Effie the impression that District Thirteen was a smouldering, barren land and devoid of life. However, with her movements limited to the hospital wing, her last memories of District Thirteen were restricted to the underground and no knowledge of how it actually looked like above ground. But she gleaned enough from Haymitch to know that even while she was recuperating underground in District Thirteen during what seemed like years ago, there was nothing above ground. To prevent from being detected, she was told.

It therefore came as a surprise to her to see the current state of the District, post-Rebellion. As she was escorted out of the hovercraft to begin her five years of exile, she noticed the guard houses and towers on the perimeter of the district. Moving past the security measures that were in place, there were what looked like residential houses set up in a linear pattern.

There was nothing to fear in this new world the rebels had created for Panem and there was no longer any need for District Thirteen to hide underground thus explaining the flurry of activities on the ground. The guard beckoned for her to hurry for she had slowed down considerably as she took in her new living environment. They assigned her to one of the houses – Section 3, No. 23 - and handed the keys to her new living quarters.

"Have a good day, Ms Trinket. If there're any problems, there's a guard house at the end of the street. Please report at 8 am tomorrow for administrative purposes."

The room caught Effie by surprise, in a good way. The exterior of the building had been plain and unassuming and it followed that the interior would reflect what was outside, or so she thought. Effie had expected something akin to a prison cell, though that expectation had worried her slightly. If she was expecting her new home to be that of a prison, what did that say about her mental state? Was she always going to assume that she would be in prison and begin to learn to expect that?

When she stepped into the threshold of the brick house - I really ought to start thinking of this as my home, she thought wryly - she found herself pleased with what she saw. There was a wooden table standing on three legs with two accompanying chairs. Leaning against the white painted wall was a sideboard and on top of it was a small old television, with its two antennas pulled out. Across from it, facing the television was a two-seater sofa.

Effie walked further in and came across the kitchen. It was small; just enough room for her to move about preparing what was needed to be done. There was a stove with several basic cutleries in one of the drawers and a refrigerator, its size adequate enough for her to store her groceries.

That led her to wonder where in District Thirteen was she supposed to stock up to sustain herself. Better ask the guard tomorrow, she made a mental note to herself. Stepping out of her kitchen, she entered what she assumed would be her bedroom and again, she found herself pleasantly surprised.

The bed provided was definitely much better than the one in prison. It was made of cheap polished wood. The mattress on the bed frame was covered with dark red bed sheets. Effie sat on it before lying down, her arms folded on her stomach as she stared at the ceiling. It wasn't as luxurious and plush as the one in her apartment but it would have to do. It was comfortable and that was all that mattered.

Stacked in a corner near one of the cupboards, were two plain black suitcases. Eyeing them curiously, she finally convinced herself to get up from the bed to inspect them. Heaving the larger one on her bed, she laughed in relief at what she saw.

Somebody had packed her clothes in it and if she had any money, she would have placed a substantial amount in a bet on one Haymitch Abernathy. None of her clothes were folded. It looked more like someone had hastily stripped her clothes from the hangers and threw them into the suitcase to fit. Effie giggled when she saw that her undergarments and brassiere were included.

"Thank you, you wonderful person," she whispered to herself. Effie knew instinctively that if he was within earshot, he would have cringed at her description of him but he is a nice person, if you knew what to look out for.

Effie dragged the smaller suit case over to the bed and opened it. The difference was startling. The smaller suit case was packed neatly with a few books, toiletries and a stack of envelopes.

The envelopes received her undivided attention. Pulling the strings that bound them together, Effie let it fall carelessly to the ground. She slid the first envelope open and ran her eyes over the letter.

Effie,

I hope all is well with you and that by the time you read this letter, you have managed to somehow settle in. I'm sorry I couldn't help much for your trial but, Effie, Katniss and I really just wanted to say how grateful we are to you. We never knew your role, or how much you helped and I have never given much thought as to why you were in prison with me. I thought if they could execute Portia and my prep team, they weren't above capturing you, either. I never knew you were involved in the Rebellion.

I wish I had done more to help you. Please know that when your terms of exile is over, you are always, always welcome in our home. Katniss isn't talking much, right now - she seems to be fascinated by a photo of you when you were young (she's in your bedroom as she needed rest. I hope you won't mind) - but I know she would welcome you, too. Five years from now, in all honesty, I hope we would all have fared much better.

I have taken the liberty to pack you some books. I noticed how much you read when you were visiting me in the hospital at the Capitol. Haymitch is helping, too. If you consider grumbling under his breath and throwing your clothes into the suit case as packing then yes, Haymitch is packing your clothes.

Be safe. We'll see each other soon.

- Peeta

Effie wiped away an errant tear, too overwhelmed by her emotions and definitely touched that Peeta had taken the time to write to her. She had been here less than a day but she missed them dearly already. Five years would prove to be difficult and Effie wasn't sure if she could live in isolation away from the people who mattered most.

The next envelope wasn't a letter. It was a drawing of Effie braiding the hair of a girl. It was signed as Alexia. Attached to it was a small note from Isaac telling that everyone at the house missed her and wished her well.

Effie stood and taped the drawing on one of the empty walls in her bedroom. There was another letter left in the pile and even though she did not want to get her hopes up, Effie could not help but wish that the last letter was from Haymitch. It wouldn't even matter how short a letter it was as long as it was written by him, as long as she had some message from him, she would be content.

XxX

Eff,

Don't know what you need, there aren't many things in your wardrobe now; not as much as I used to remember them during the... Well, you know. I tried to fit in as much as possible, if there is something you need and it's not in, well, sweetheart, here's some advice - make do.

They wouldn't let us see you off and Plutarch told me you were flown off at midnight. You'll be alright, you've been through worse, not that you needed reminding.

I'll tell you not to annoy the guards (the military police? What do they call themselves there now?) but that is an exercise in futility - you annoy everyone. Keep your head low & stay out of trouble.

- H.

How very typical, she rolled her eyes and smiled. He couldn't even sign off a letter properly. She noticed that recently, Haymitch seemed to be generous with his advice where she was concerned.

Effie wasn't planning on attracting unnecessary attention to herself, anyway. Her intention was to serve her time and get out, build her life anew from the shambles that she currently found herself in.

She folded Haymitch's letter with the same gentle care she would have treated her wigs if she was still wearing them and placed it back in the pile with Peeta's letter. Effie felt slightly at ease knowing that Haymitch had thought of her enough to send an accompanying letter with the suitcase he had packed. The knowledge that Peeta and Katniss did not think of her any less and went as far as to welcome her into their home when her exile was over warmed her heart. Well, there's still a long way to go before I cross that bridge.

XxX

At 7.55 am the next morning, Effie could be seen walking along the pathway to the guard house at the end of the street. She climbed up the stairs on the small brick house and smiled nervously at the few guards who were just leaving, having ended their shift for the day.

After introducing herself to the young woman who looked barely eighteen that was sitting behind an old desk masquerading as a receptionist area, Effie was called in into one of the rooms. She barely had time to sit before the door opened behind her and a stocky woman, slightly shorter than Effie in height whilst sporting a pair of black rimmed glasses and a thick blonde hair swept in a ponytail strode in.

She extended her hand to Effie who surreptitiously wiped her slightly sweaty palms on her skirt before shaking the proffered hand.

"Erika Miles, pleasure to meet you," she said cordially.

Effie faltered slightly before she rallied herself, a pleasant smile gracing her lips as she returned the greeting. She had expected a much more hostile reception since she arrived in District Thirteen yesterday, insofar as her reputation as a former escort for District Twelve went, but her morbid expectations had not been met. They were not exactly friendly with her but at least she was treated politely.

If there was one thing Effie excelled in, it was small talk and she could talk small for as long as it took. There was something soothing about being able to talk to another human being, a sort of connection. She had explained to Haymitch once about the connections and while he had thrown her a weird look at the time, Haymitch had surprisingly paid attention and learnt from her. Effie noticed it when he employed the lessons she taught him during one of those rare moments when he had to charm sponsors.

In a strange, foreign land where she knew no one as of yet, Effie was almost desperate to make acquaintances. She could start with some small talk. She cleared her throat and tried to come up with an appropriate topic of conversation but was quick to find out that Erika Miles was not the sort for idle small chat, preferring to delve straight into the subject matter.

She went over to the cabinet behind her and returned with a black electronic band. She slid it across the desk towards Effie who stared at it blankly.

"Tracking anklet," came the clarification. "It's a requirement, I'm afraid."

Effie tilted her head, slowly reaching out for the aforementioned anklet.

"You're given the freedom to go where you please here in District Thirteen, and you are also allowed to live your life with as much control as possible. You are not in prison nor are you a caged animal. But with those little freedoms that President Paylor has given to those here in Thirteen, we still have to take certain precautions. We need to know that you are still in and within this district and have not escaped across the borders of District 13, thereby breaching the terms of your exile."

"I understand," Effie murmured, resigned.

With her consent, after signing certain forms to affirm that she had been given a proper explanation and had understood the terms involving her stay in Thirteen and by extension the tracking anklet as well as the legal ramifications, the device was fastened on her right leg.

"Alright?" Erika Miles asked.

Effie nodded and leaned back on the chair, awaiting further instructions.

"I have your records with me from when you were in…," the woman checked her notes and looked up, "school and I note that you've excelled in management and business administration."

"Yes," Effie confirmed. If she had not been accepted into Games school, Effie would have embarked on a path that involved events management or gone into business as an entrepreneur, which was in her honest opinion, rather boring.

"You understand that you are required to render your expertise and assist us when needed, yes? There're some loads of administrative paperwork that you could help us with and with the many trials commencing soon, there will be more to come. Would you like to accept that or do you want me to look for another alternative?"

She was being given a choice, she realised. That was unexpected and caught her off guard momentarily.

"I'll… I'll take the paperwork, if you don't mind," she answered. Effie wasn't certain what else District Thirteen had to offer. Last she heard, they specialised in graphite mining though she was sure that since the Rebellion, most of the Districts' financial lifelines were in the process of being revamped.

XxX

Her life quickly fell into a pattern she was comfortable with. Each week, supplies entered District Thirteen and with the coins she received from assisting Erika Miles in her section office, she bought what she needed and learnt to save the rest.

It wasn't a salary per se, insofar as it was an allowance that was given to her by the administration. She would make her way each morning to the guard house and in a small secluded room, she would deal with whatever paperwork that was given to her. There wasn't much to do but it occupied her time and she hoped it would make the years pass by slightly faster.

There were citizens-in-exile here in Thirteen filing for certain requests, most of which dealt with asking for permission to have an extended visitation period from family members. Most of these types of request were denied unless there was a compelling reason behind it. There were also requests from beyond the boundaries of District Thirteen that came into her office, friends of those currently in exile, seeking permission to visit. These requests were promptly denied. Only immediate family members were granted such rights and when Effie learnt of this rule, she had been terribly disheartened. There was no way in which Haymitch or Peeta or even Katniss would be allowed to visit her.

Aside from those, interesting requests were being filed occasionally in the office. Effie encountered one asking for fabric to be shipped in, receiving approval from the higher authorities, much to her surprise. That was how a small clothing store was set up at the corner of Section 4 and Effie used the coins from her allowance to purchase new clothes for herself.

Effie also had to handle the files for the newly-exiled persons coming through the system and assign proper living quarters before they arrived. She never had to meet them, merely passing slips of official paper with the section and house number to the guards for them to escort the person to. Erika called them 'newbies' which was in all a childish term and reminded her too much of a school environment.

"A fresh newbie for you, Effie," Erika poked her head in and threw a file on her desk. Effie shook her head at Erika's choice of words.

"Fresh newbie? Isn't there a better term?" Effie asked.

"Nope," came Erika's laconic reply. Over the weeks, Effie learnt that Erika was from District Eight and had volunteered her services post-rebellion. She was assigned to District Thirteen and was one of the first few to arrive when Paylor's administration began turning the district into a place for exiled citizens of Panem.

Effie briefly considered putting off the file until the next day seeing as how it was already evening and despite the new environment that reminded her nothing of her incarceration under President Snow, she still had qualms about walking in the dark. But Effie loathed procrastination and with a sigh, she pulled the file closer and flipped it open, intending to start working on it.

She bit down on her inner cheek and stared at the page. Her brows crinkled in disbelief. She knew the name and when she double checked the picture that was in the file, she exhaled slowly in recognition.

Fabius Crane.

Anyone remember Fabius Crane? :) We'll also get to the trial for Adrian Fox, the Head Peacekeeper real soon.

Do review!