After a month, Haymitch started bringing Effie out of the village. At first, tons of disgusted eyes followed them. Some people turned away from Effie and pulled their children out of her way. Of course, it bothered her but Haymitch's hand holding hers kept reminding her that she's not alone so she keeps on going. Effie finally was able to go shopping for clothes. It's not the same as the ones she used to wear but she learned to modify them to her liking and Haymitch approved of it. After a while, she began exploring the district by herself. She often visits Sae's diner and Peeta's bakery. She even goes to the library to get Haymitch some books to read.
It takes two months for people of Twelve to warm up to Effie. They finally saw her as a human being. They saw her got hurt when some would shout insulting names at her. They saw her laughed when Haymitch tells her a joke. They saw her got happy when she saw a stray dog for the first time. Soon, the people stopped turning away from her. They stopped pulling their children out of her way and she's finally allowed to interact with the kids. Effie started buying fabric from the shop and making clothes for the kids of Twelve for free. Then, she began making clothes for people as gifts whenever there's someone celebrating their birthdays. Effie cannot hear anyone calling her names anymore. When she walked down the streets, she's greeted by smiles and nods by the district's people.
One morning, Effie went to Sae's diner to get some food for lunch. Peeta wanted to cook something but he has a fever so Effie volunteered to buy some. She and Sae were talking about a girl who will turn twelve that week and asking if Effie can make a dress for her birthday to which Effie was delighted.
"Of course! Is it possible to talk to her? I would like to know her favorite color and what kind of dress she likes to wear", she asked Sae.
"Oh, you don't need to ask permission anymore to speak to anyone here, Trinket. They all know you and they know you wouldn't harm a bug so feel free to approach her. Daisy will take you this afternoon to her house", Sae answered.
Daisy came to them at the counter.
"Sae, there is a businessman here saying he's an investor and wanted to talk to business owners about a proposal for expansion", she informed them.
Effie's eyes widened in excitement. She likes the idea of Sae's diner going big because she really does cook amazing food.
"I don't know about that but let me talk to him", Sae said.
Daisy left them for a moment to get the investor.
"Oh, Sae…this is so exciting. You should really think about this", Effie said excitedly.
"I know. I know. Just hold your horses, Trinket", she replied.
Daisy returned with the investor.
"You must be Sae. It's a pleasure to finally meet you", the man greeted.
Effie turned around to give her greetings when she stopped before she can utter any words. Her eyes glued to his face instantly. Her hand found the counter for support which won't stop shaking. Her throat suddenly went dry and she cannot move a muscle.
"Effie Trinket…I believe you are the Effie Trinket. I didn't expect to see you here in Twelve but new government means freedom", the man said to her.
The others expected her to return the greetings but nothing came out of her which worried Sae. She's always polite. Always.
"Effie?" Daisy called her attention.
"I should…get this to the village", Effie muttered and then grabbed the food and bolted.
It can't be him, she thought. She walked fast back to the village that she didn't hear Katniss calling her name when she passed her. She's so preoccupied by her thoughts that all she wanted to do is get home and hide. She shut the door quickly when she got back and put the food on the table. Haymitch is at the back feeding the geese when he heard Effie's footsteps pacing fast upstairs.
"Eff?" he called but she didn't answer.
He followed her upstairs and found her in their bedroom. She's sitting on the floor by the corner with her head buried on her knees.
"What happened?" he asked.
She is shaking. He can see her hands shaking. Hell, her entire body is shaking.
"Tell me, Eff. What happened? Did any of those guys bothered you again?" he asked again.
They talked to the people already. They already welcomed her to their home. What's going on now?
"Goddamn it, Eff! Talk to me!" he yelled and it snapped her out of her thoughts.
She looked up to him and he saw her frightened eyes. Her face is already drained of color. She looked as pale as a paper.
"He's here. I don't know how. I don't know why but he's here. He's here, Haymitch. He's here. I have to go. I have to run. I don't know where. I don't know where to go. I don't know where to hide!" she answered in panic.
He immediately went to her and tried to calm her down because she's starting to have a panic attack.
"Take it slow. Who's here, Eff? Who are you talking about?" he asked in a calmer voice.
Effie took deep breaths until her breathing went normal. She can see his face in her head and she knows he's in town. She's just in the same town as he is. She cannot tell Haymitch because she knows what he will do. She knows him too well.
"…just someone. I am sorry I panicked. He's just someone I knew from the Capitol. I just panicked because it's been a while since I last saw people from the Capitol. It's nothing", she lied while she traced the scar on her left wrist unconsciously, the scar of the handcuffed that was used on her before.
Haymitch did not fail to see that. He knows about that scar. She told him. She told him how she got that.
"Where the fuck is he?" he asked in a dangerous tone.