Purposely posting just one chapter today ... I think, when you get to the end, you'll see why.

And, of course, thank you for reading and reviewing as always!


"I can barely keep up with everything that's been happening," Effie said - her knees shaking, her whole frame unsteady. Haymitch was trying to calm her down in a viewing room - pressing his own flask into her hands.

"Take a sip. Nothing to lose."

Effie would never had considered it at headquarters, but sipped the foul alcohol anyway. It was a good kick - she didn't even pull a face.

"You're doing fine," Haymitch said. "You're doing the best you can and that's all anyone can ask of you."

Effie hadn't been sleeping at night - not after the first, when Haymitch realized it was a clock. The whole notion made Effie nervous - her attention was on the screen more often than not - hoping they would move at the right time, hoping they were safe. This wasn't like the Games were Katniss could tie herself up in a tree and Peeta could camouflage himself.

This was different.

This was so different.

"What was Plutarch even thinking!" Effie asked frantically. Haymitch pushed the flask back up to her lips.

"Give them what they expect - that's what. Just what you're used to doing, Eff."

"He could kill -"

"That won't happen." Haymitch took her by the shoulders. "Not now," he said. "You can't crack now. Not yet. And I know you're stronger than this. I know you can do this."

"I want to leave," Effie whispered. "Now."

"And we will," Haymitch said, stroking her cheek gently. "We will."

"I don't want to go back out there."

"Think of Thirteen, sweetheart. Just know we're going to get out of here." He kissed her gently.

Effie took a breath. "Just don't go far from me, okay?"

"Wouldn't dream of it. Let's get back out there. I'm right behind you."

Effie kissed him before they left - a soft kiss, but a long one - just to remember it, just to think about it so she wouldn't have to think of anything else. Her hands were still shaking in Haymitch's but she knew he was right.

They would be gone soon.

They had to be gone soon.


"What are they setting up?" Effie asked now back at home and - at the urging of Haymitch - freshly showered and a glass of strong whiskey in her hand.

Haymitch didn't answer.

"Is it …"

He nodded.

Effie walked close to him. "The way out?" she asked in a whisper.

"We'll have to be ready." He turned to her. "Go to bed. I'm going to stay up and watch."

"You'll call me if something happens, right?"

Haymitch nodded. "Yeah. Of course."

But Effie knew why he was staying up - not just because of what was being planning in the arena with the alliances, with the rebels. But because this was it. If they were going to move - it would be any time tonight.

The whiskey had been strong enough to knock Effie off her tired feet and into a light sleep. It wasn't an easy sleep, though, and Haymitch kept going in and out of the room either pulling the blankets back over her after she had kicked them off or worrying she fell out of bed when it was just a book pushed off the nightstand.

He watched the screen intently.

He waited.


"Effie …"

She stirred a little.

"Eff - we gotta move. Now."

"Now?" Effie sat up in bed. "How do you -"

"Plutarch. Listen. I have to leave before you. If they're gonna grab one of us - it's going to be me."

"Haymitch -"

"Shh," he pressed his lips to hers. "You'll go to the penthouse, all right? If anyone asks - you lost something. You … forgot something."

"In the middle of the night?"

"No one's gonna ask. No one's gonna see you. Get to the penthouse. I'll wait for you there and take you where we're meeting the rest."

"Haymitch - let me just go with you."

"It'll be more dangerous if you do. I'll be waiting. At the penthouse."

"And if you aren't there?"

Haymitch ran his hand through her hair. "Don't look back and go to the roof after ten minutes, okay?"

"I can't -"

"You have to." He kissed her again. "Get dressed - don't bring anything. Come straight to the penthouse."

Effie nodded and squeezed his hand. "I love you," she said. "I love you, Haymitch."

Haymitch took her in his arms. "I love you too, Eff. We'll be all right. We'll be all right."


The crowds were less rowdy than Effie would have expected. It seemed that whatever the large alliance in the arena had set up, whatever they were planning to do, was what they were all waiting for with their drinks in hand - and bets in place. Effie moved through them effortlessly - no one the wiser of who she was or where she was going.

The training center was empty - but unlocked. She slipped in after a quick look around and hurried into the elevator, going right up to the penthouse. She tried to breathe normally - but until she was with Haymitch, her heart raced.

The doors opened.

Haymitch was there - safe and sound and waiting.

Effie ran into his arms. He caught her, kissing her hard.

"Plutarch is landing the hovercraft on the roof - we'll -" Haymitch stopped.

They heard the elevator and quickly separated.

"An avox," said Effie. "Has to be."

The doors opened.

Aulus stepped out.

"I thought they had banned escorts from the training center?" he asked. "I just had a call that someone looking like little Effie Trinket was seen going inside. Of course, I had to take a look."

"Oh dear god," Effie said, keeping her composure and playing along. "We weren't able to pack, were we? I needed a pair of shoes. I left them here."

"And you couldn't have your drunk bring them?"

"I have a lot of shoes, Aulus. And Haymitch came because it was late and the streets were crowded."

"But he didn't walk with you."

"No," Effie said, trying to keep up. "No, because he was out already. He came to meet me. Just to be careful. You know how the the crowds can be."

"Why in the middle of the night though?"

"She's just getting a damned pair of shoes," Haymitch said. "I don't think -"

"And I don't think I was speaking to you, was I?" Aulus turned back to Effie. "I'll walk you home. Wouldn't want you to get in to trouble just for a pair of shoes."

"Haymitch can walk me home," Effie said. "Besides, there's a lot happening right now - it's unusual for something late at night to occur. We want to go to headquarters -"

"They're closed."

"But you have the odd straggler. You know that."

"Eff, get your shoes -"

"Mr. Abernathy," Aulus said. "I think you can go. As I said, I will take care of Effie."

"Haymitch can -"

"The door, Mr. Abernathy."

"No," Effie said. "I would feel better if -"

"The longer you stand on the premises, the easier it will be for disciplinary action to -"

"I'd move faster if -"

The elevator opened - it was empty. Effie and Haymitch both expected to see attendants ready to arrest them - but if they were there, it wasn't in that elevator.

"Haymitch," Effie said, turning to him. "Go. It's all right. I'm not going to win this one."

"Effie -"

"Go," Effie said again, looking him in the eyes. "I'll see you at headquarters, all right?"

"I don't think -"

"I think you should go," Aulus said. "She said so, didn't she?"

Haymitch started towards the elevator. He turned to Effie whose eyes were frightened - but determined. She wouldn't be able to go with him. And if they stalled any longer - Aulus was sure to have Capitol attendants waiting.

This was the only chance.

"I'll see you soon," Effie said, forcing a smile.

Haymitch couldn't bear to step in the elevator.

"Go," Effie continued. "Hurry, too. They'll need you more than me."

"That isn't true," said Haymitch.

"You can sign the sponsors," Effie said. "They need you." When she said this, her voice finally sunk into Haymitch.

They needed him.

She needed him.

And now, Effie's only way to survive was to make sure he survived, too.

"Go, Haymitch. I'll be there shortly."

Her voice was enough to force him back to her - but the look in her eyes told him to go on. And if she could say it …

Before he could say another word the elevators doors had shut - separating him from Effie and taking him up to the roof.

She knew it was the only way. She only hoped he'd make it.

Just to the roof … just to the roof …

"I didn't think you were so close with that drunk."

"He's the only friend I think I have sometimes," Effie said, about to go to her room, trying not to appear fazed. "I'm just going to fetch -"

Aulus grabbed her arm.

"The minute he reaches the bottom floor the guards will have him. And - oh - Effie - it is a joy for me to bring you in myself. Escort to District Twelve … or … what was District Twelve. Last I checked - it wasn't there anymore. How important are you now?"

Effie felt a pinch on her wrist. Aulus had injected her with something. The world around her grew dizzy - the penthouse disappeared and Effie could only think … Haymitch was going up … not down … up … up … to the roof … he would make it …

Then there was nothing but darkness.

Effie had lost consciousness.