Haymitch took me back to Felix's house. How he knows where it is? I have no idea. He made me pack all my clothes until Felix arrived home.
"Okay…I guess I should start asking why he's here", he muttered.
What do I do? What should I say? He just came by to visit? I am not a good liar, not when it comes to Haymitch.
"I came to get my wife back", Haymitch said.
I looked at him and that is not a punch line. He totally meant it. Felix frowned and then looked at me, probably searching if it's true.
"Are you drunk right now, Mr. Abernathy? Effie here is not married to anyone yet. She will be in a few days to me but you are invited", Felix said tauntingly.
I really hope Haymitch isn't drunk right now because I know he can totally kill this guy in a snap and I don't want him to go to prison because of me.
"Well, you should check in to your contacts about that because I'm pretty sure we have a marriage certificate on their records and you know you can't marry someone who's already married. Government won't allow it especially if you're planning to marry a Victor's wife", Haymitch challenged.
I'm pretty sure Felix did some background check before he followed me to Twelve. He knew about everything but I can tell Haymitch isn't bluffing either. I am totally lost. My head is hurting and I am dying to pop some pills right now or maybe a shot of tequila would be nice. All this charade is making me feel nauseous.
"Don't be ridiculous. I know you're bluffing. Look, I'm sorry she left you but it's all over, Mr. Abernathy. She's with me now whether you like it or not", Felix insisted.
Haymitch only scoffed and then laughed.
"You really think that? Come on, make the call. Let's see who's bluffing", he pushed.
I can see Felix turning red. I got suddenly reminded of that time in that room. He got so mad when I didn't cry at his beatings. That same look back then, he's wearing it now. He did make the call and I can see the disappointment crumbling on his face. Haymitch isn't lying. Am I married to him now? How?
"I believe I was proven wrong. Forgive me, Mr. Abernathy", he apologized although his rage is coming out of his nose. "Why didn't you tell me?" he then asked me.
I can feel Haymitch's eyes on me.
"You never asked", I answered.
It wasn't that hard to spit that out. He did not ask. That is true. Felix scoffed and shook his head.
"You got me fooled, Miss Trinket. Like I said, you're smarter than most people think. You're good at timing too because the game is already over. You're free. I cannot get back at you even if I want to", he said.
That is true. Maybe it's why Haymitch came just now. Maybe he waited for the game to be over too. He walked towards Felix and put his hand on his shoulder.
"You cannot get back at her ever. You wanna know why? Me. You ever come near her, you ever touch her, you ever dare plot anything against her, I will fucking kill you slowly so that you can feel all the pain you put her through in that room. Yeah, I know that too and you're lucky I am not doing anything about it because my wife asked me not to when you went to my district so consider yourself lucky because if you try to do anything again, I won't be as kind as I am right now. Do you understand me?" Haymitch warned.
They stared at each other and I can see how fear slowly registered into Felix. Everyone knows Haymitch and what he's capable of. I guess that's why Victors are well-treated by Capitol citizens. They know what they can do and they are scared of them.
"Of course", Felix replied.
Haymitch turned to me and offered his hand. I took it without thinking and together we left the Capitol.
At the train, things are very quiet. We did not speak to each other. Well, I did not speak to him the entire ride. He just sat across from me and stared at me. Meanwhile, I occupied myself drinking everything in the bar and popping pills when he's back was turned. It's bad. I know but I cannot stop. I just can't.
We reached the village and Katniss and Peeta are both waiting for us at Haymitch's house. They are so worried and they kept firing questions at me on why I left. I guess Haymitch didn't tell them yet. Katniss is more unpleasant with the questions.
"So, you just left with a note? What is that? We welcomed you here and not just in this village. The whole district welcomed you and you left us for some Capitol businessman", she exclaimed.
"Katniss, we talked and agreed that this is not how we are going to talk to Effie", Peeta tried to pacify her but Katniss is beyond that.
"I don't care, Peeta. She left. Why the hell did you left us?" she asked.
I dropped my bag on the floor not caring if my new perfume bottles in there break. I am just so tired from the journey and I need something to make me feel great. I don't need any of this right now and Katniss nagging at me and demanding answers is not helping with the headache.
"She left for me", Haymitch intervened. The two kids looked at him. "She knows that if she dies in the game, I will lose it so she did that to escape the game for me", he added.
It sounds so great when he put it like that. Katniss expression softened.
"Effie is that true? Is Felix the friend you said who stole your name from the Reaping bowl?" she asked.
Is it that hard to believe?
"He didn't exactly steal it himself but yes", I answered.
"…and in exchange of that, you have to marry him. I get it now", Peeta concluded.
The boy is smart but I am really tired.
"Will you excuse me? I am really tired and I need to go upstairs", I said without letting anyone stop me.