The opening of Peeta's extended bakery is a hit. People packed outside just to get a glimpse of it. Thank goodness media is not allowed to cover it because otherwise, it will get crazy fast. The boy is all smile as he entertains the crowd. He got a delicious line up of cakes and pastries and people are buying. With the help of Madge Undersee, they tended to the crowd's orders. Katniss was busy keeping an eye on everything. She's not one for associating with many people. She's just there to support Peeta and make sure things will go just fine.
Haymitch and Effie arrived at the bakery which caused for heads to turn. It's the first she went out the Village and despite people knowing the last living escort is living among the Victors at the Village, it's not the same as seeing her. She trained her eyes to look ahead. She can feel their gazes on her and she couldn't help herself to be conscious. Haymitch approved her dress of choice. It's a simple white flowy dress that fell above her knees. She wore a white flat sandals and she let her hair loose. He said he likes it because it's simple and it matches her golden locks.
"Effie!" Peeta beamed upon seeing her.
He made his way to greet her and pull her into a hug. He thought she's not going to make it but he's glad that she did.
"This place looks amazing, Peeta, and that cake looks marvelous", she greeted.
It does look very appealing and she got a sweet tooth. Haymitch winked at the boy which means that he's buying that at the end of the day for Effie. Peeta showed her around the bakery and explained to her his new machines work.
"I am really glad you can make it, Effie. It means a lot and I know how much effort you put in coming here", he mentioned once they're out of earshot from everyone.
"Well, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I must admit, it's a bit overwhelming outside but they're here for you. I am so proud of you my dear boy. You and Katniss are doing so well!" she responded.
Haymitch saw the exchange and how the boy looked at Effie like she actually has given birth to him. He knows how much his own mother mistreated him for years and having Effie made him feel what a mother's love should feel like.
"He really loves her. They have a bond I cannot understand", Katniss muttered beside him.
"I think they can say the same thing about us", he pointed out.
They're both impulsive, hot-headed, and aggressive. They can be overprotective with the people they love too.
"I guess so. Thanks for letting her come here. It means a lot for Peeta", she said.
"Don't thank me. If it's up to me, I wouldn't have her out with these many people around. She wanted to come and support the boy. She's making an effort and I am respecting that. It does not mean I like risking her like this", he responded.
He's not deaf. He heard some of the comments about Effie from the people outside and he knows she heard them too. She's stronger than the first day she came back with him but those words would leave a scar within her and he knows it.
"We got her. Stop worrying. I'm on guard duty, remember?" Katniss said.
He smirked at her. He noticed that. Whenever she stood by the corner and let her eyes scoured around, she's on guard duty.
Few hours passed and Effie grew comfortable inside the bakery. She even helped packing the orders and she finds that she actually enjoys it. It's been a while since she got something to do or an actual job and she missed being busy. She even fussed about Peeta's books and business paperwork. Haymitch began helping with the heavy lifting so she wouldn't have to do it. It's a nice moment for them both, out of the house and…working.
"You should wear apron more often. It looks good on you", he commented.
A smirk played upon her lips and moved closer to him.
"Wait until you see me only wearing that and nothing else", she whispered and he coughed in surprise.
She laughed at his reaction and walked away.
"Minx…" he said under his breath.
The playfulness continued until two district men came to the counter and eyed her from head to toe.
"What can I get you, gentlemen?" she greeted politely.
She chose to ignore their stares because she's in a good mood. The day is going well and Haymitch is having fun too. It's a good day for her and her team.
"Get us five of those things and that one", the man ordered.
Effie bit her tongue in correcting him with his manners and smiled in response.
"Of course, one moment", she replied.
She turned around to put the orders in the packaging. For some reason, she can feel their eyes burning a hole on her back.
"Hurry up, darling!" one the men yelled and she froze.
Haymitch was talking with Peeta when he saw Effie near the counter. Her hands are still holding the bread clip and the bread bag. She's not moving and her breathing are too shallow and fast. Something is not right and that's all it takes for him to cross the distance between the two of them.
"Princess…"
"Hey! What's taking so long? It's a simple order…stupid Capitol", one the guys at the counter exclaimed.
Haymitch was about to snap at him but Katniss beat him to it. All she did was to stand beside him and the guy backed away. Peeta was quick to get the orders so they would go away before instructing Madge to take over.
"Effie…come on. Talk to me", Haymitch said but she's far away.
Her eyes are glassy and her hands are now shaking. He took the bag and the clip from her and ushered her at the back of the store. She's having a panic attack and having too many audience is not going to help her.
"Sweetheart, come back. It's me, Haymitch. Listen to my voice. You're safe, just take a deep, and slow breath", he urges as he gently rub her back with his hand.
She found his other hand and gripped it harder, anchoring herself to reality. Her brain keeps on drifting back to the penthouse and she is fighting herself to stay away from that memory, not that one. She doesn't want to go back there.
"Haymitch…"
"I am here, sweetheart", he reassured her.
"I want to go home. Please…take me home", she pleaded.
He didn't need to be told twice. He took her back to the house and made her a cup of tea to help her relax. Her panic attack was over but it zapped her energy and she's frayed. They left the bakery abruptly but Katniss and Peeta would understand. They know better than anyone else what it's like to be triggered.
"Sweetheart, tell me what happened. What caused it?" she did not answer, "Princess, you need to tell me what happened so we know what your triggers are and we can avoid it. Come on, it's me. You can tell me anything", he encouraged.
She shuddered and closed her eyes.
"He used to call me that…" she whispered.
"Who?" he asked.
"Graham…Graham Dayfall", she answered without opening her eyes.
That name sounded familiar to his ears.
'Fucking Dayfall!'
'Who's Dayfall?'
'Graham Dayfall, he's like Snow's personal assassin or agent, whatever you call it. Peacekeepers are scared to shit of him. He's the one who interrogated Trinket before she got tossed in the cell with us. Heard Dayfall does not want them to damage Trinket that much. When one of the Peacekeepers stepped on her ankle and broke it, he never showed his face again. Bet he's dead already'
Snow's secret agent…he remembered where they found her. She's at the penthouse chained to the wall.
"Was he the one who brought you to the penthouse?" her breathing hitched so he held her hands to ground her. "Open your eyes. Don't let the memory drown you. You don't get go back to that place. What you do is to look at it like a spectator. Do not relive it", he instructed.
Somehow that direction seemed to make sense to her. She does better with instruction. She knows how to follow instructions to the letter and she can make that work. She took a deep breath and braced herself.
"After everyone was rescued, I was left alone in the cell. They never came for I don't know how long. No beatings. No interrogation. No food. No water. No nothing. I thought the hard part was over but then they came back and took me out of there. They weren't the ones that rescued Peeta, Annie, and Johanna. They took me to the penthouse and there he was…"
"Graham Dayfall", he supplied.
"Yes. He wanted to spend time with me, he said. He believed I know nothing about the rebellion but he didn't believe when I tell him there's nothing going on between us. He brought me to your room, made me smell your bed. It's a game, he said", Haymitch is already clenching his fist. "If I guessed which was your pillow correctly, I get to eat. If I guessed it wrong, I need to get on all fours and it hurts…my shoulder. I guessed it right, of course. I've always known the way you smell so he confirmed our relationship",
She pursed her lips and concentrates.
"He…he asked me to demonstrate what I did for you. I refused…" tears are forming in her eyes but she focused on the instruction she was given. "He kept calling me…darling, and I hated it. He asked all of his men to call me Abernathy's bitch. He said that's my new name. Still, I refused to do things for him. He became angry. He trained me. I was his pet so he put me in chains. Then he…" she met his eyes and she saw fury. She shook her head. She cannot tell him that. She cannot do it to him but he already understood. He already guessed what happened next. "…when his men came back and told him something's happening, he left and never came back. None of them came back", she finished.
Now, Haymitch is the one on the verge of a panic attack. He is so angry he can actually kill someone. Instead of smashing things, he pulled her into his arms. He was not sure if it's to comfort her or to comfort himself.
"He's never going to lay a finger on you ever again. I'll make sure of it. No one is going to hurt you again. I swear it on my life", he promised.
She slowly relaxed in his arms and after a few hours, she drifted off and he carried her back to their room to rest.
The things she told him played in his head over and over again. What happened to her at the penthouse remained a mystery to everyone. No one was there after the rescue. He only knows the things that happened to Effie when she's with Peeta and Johanna in prison. He's not prepared for the horrors she went through after she was left behind.
Haymitch went downstairs and found Katniss and Peeta waiting in the living room.
"Is she okay?" Peeta was the first to ask.
"She fell asleep. She'll be fine", he answered and made himself a cup of coffee.
This is one of those times he craved a bottle of whisky so much but he made a promise to Effie. He's not going to break it.
"Does she often has panic attacks?" Katniss asked next.
He shook his head.
"…not often. She got nightmares but we all get that. I am still figuring out her triggers. Today, the word darling did it for her so that word is officially banned in our vocabularies, understood?"
The two nodded in agreement.
"The customer earlier called her darling", Peeta recalled.
"Peacekeepers called her that a lot, is that it?" Katniss asked.
His face hardened.
"Just one", is all he said.
The kids did not press more and left the house. He hopes that they will not bring that up again tomorrow especially with Effie around. He checked on her upstairs and when he saw she's still sleeping, he went downstairs and picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hey, it's me. I need a favor…"
He listened on the other line as he played with his knife on his other hand.
"I need you to find someone for me and I know you will find him because you're good at what you do…" there is a pause, "Listen. You owe me. You know goddamn why. Just find me this one person and we call it even…" he took a deep breath, stared long and hard on his beloved weapon before saying, "…Graham Dayfall. His name is Graham Dayfall. Find him and call me", he said.