POST 50TH HUNGER GAMES
He never thought surviving the games would mean hell. If he had known what it would be like, what would happen, he would have given up on that cliff and let that other kid win. Now, his family is gone along with his dignity…himself. This is not the life of a Victor that was promised after the games. There is no winning, only surviving.
Everywhere he goes, he's being followed by cameras or fans, whatever it is they call themselves. He's constantly surrounded by people. If only he can escape just for one hour so he can breathe.
For the first time in a long while, his wish has been granted when he caught sight of a girl peeking behind a curtain inside the bar he's in. Her blue eyes darted left and right before asking him to come with her. He didn't know why he did but he would choose any place right now other than the one he's currently in.
It was easy to sneak out of the bar. He's a Victor after all. Being stealth is natural for him. He followed the girl until they reached the back alley of the bar. He saw her climbed up the staircase of the fire exit and he followed.
The stairs led him to the rooftop of the bar. The girl is already sitting on the ground while looking up at the stars. He knows she's Capitol but she seems different than the rest of them. For instance, no Capitol people will sit on the ground like that.
"Hey, thanks for getting me out of there", he said as he approached her.
She turned to him to give him a brief smile before staring back at the stars.
"Is the sky here the same in your district? I have never been out of the city and I know we have the technology to control the weather so I am not sure if the stars are…real", she asked innocently.
He found himself staring at the sky too. The stars are way too bright.
"Nah…they're not real. Real stars can be that bright but not all of them at the same time", he answered.
She now turned to him with a spark of interest in her eyes.
"Why not?" she followed up.
"…because they've got distance from one another. Some are way too far to be actually seen", he answered.
She nodded in understanding before looking away.
"I'm sorry you felt claustrophobic back there. That place is charming or at least, when it's not filled with media and other people", she muttered.
A Capitol who knows how to apologize…
"Didn't catch your name, sweetheart", she pursed her lips when he calls her that.
He noticed how adorable she looks that way. Capitol can be obsessed with manners and propriety and she surely is one.
"Euphemia…it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Abernathy", she said.
"No last name?" she shook her head, "Well then, I'm Haymitch",
He saw the small smile formed upon her lips and…did she just blush or was it trick of the light?
"So, tell me…Euphe— it's way too long. Tell me, princess. Why were you hiding behind the curtain and how did you know this spot?" he asked.
She seemed annoyed again with him using a pet name for her. He's enjoying this.
"I was not hiding. There's a lounge behind that curtain if you must know. I heard the commotion and when I went to look, you were there looking like you're ready to flee. I thought it would be a good idea to rescue you before you made a run for the hills. As to your second question, rooftops tend to be the safest places to be oneself…"
He frowned at her. It is odd for a Capitol to talk that way. She saw him staring and she chuckled a bit.
"Oh, did you think I didn't know about the bugs? Everyone in this city knows, Haymitch. That's why everyone is so polite, so careful, so…oblivious. Everyone knows everyone is listening. It's a metaphor but we know the true meaning behind that. My grandfather taught me about the rooftops. It's the best gift he could have ever given me", she explained.
…to be free to be herself, to have her own thoughts and express them without hesitation. He knows.
"Your grandfather taught you well", he commented.
She smiled fondly.
"He did. I never liked watching the games even when my parents would force me because it's what's expected of us. I was ten when I saw something I didn't like and I almost blurted out my disgust. My grandfather covered my mouth and carried me to the rooftop of our house. He told me that if I ever needed to say exactly what's on my mind without filtering anything or if I needed a place to breathe, I should find the nearest rooftop", she shared.
He is now in awe of her. A defiant Capitol. It's unheard of and most importantly, scandalous.
"Did you watch my game?" he asked.
She looked at him hesitantly.
"Would you be offended if I said no?" he shook his head, "I didn't watch it during the live telecast. I couldn't. It's Quarter Quell, I understood that it's different but…there's just so many children and…" she took a deep breath and composed herself, "I saw you afterwards when it's done. There's a recap on the TV during the moment that you won. That was impressive, smart. You used the gamemakers' technology to your advantage. It's quite a statement", she answered.
It's exactly why his family ended up dead. His own cleverness had killed them.
"I was not trying to make a statement", he grumbled.
"I know. You were trying to make it out alive. Don't worry. It's just me. I get it", she replied.
This the most honest conversation he had in the city in a while. They talked some more just about anything. She didn't ask him about being a Victor or take advantage of him unlike what the others did. She actually asked simple questions like what the real river looks like or how does it feel when it snowed. She's very eager to learn about the districts but being a Capitol citizen forbids her from travelling to the districts without official business. The same with district people confined in their own homes.
"I wish I could have known you sooner, princess. You would have made this whole Victory Tour a lot better", he said.
"Again, the name is Euphemia…well, you know me now. I am glad to be able to help even it's just for a few hours but I am afraid that our night must come to an end. It's late and I need to be home before my mother murders me", she responded.
He chuckled.
"If you need help with that…"
"Haymitch! Don't be preposterous!" they both laughed.
He helped her to get back on her feet and he noticed what's so different about her when he first saw her. She's almost not wearing any makeup. She got a bit of a color on her eyelids, a little lipstick but other than that…she's as natural as one can get and that's rare in the Capitol. She still does have a wig on though.
"You're staring. It's rude to stare, Haymitch", she chided.
"You're beautiful", he blurted out.
She stiffened but did not run away like he thought she would.
"Well, I know that but it's nice to hear it from you", she said.
He snorted.
"You're very confident with yourself, princess", he remarked.
She laughed and it's a genuine one too.
"Well, thank you for talking to me. You do take care of yourself when you go home, alright?" she proceeded to embrace him. It startled him first but he didn't push her away. He found himself holding her back. "May the odds be finally in your favor…and I'm truly sorry", she whispered before pulling back.
Her eyes watered and he can see that she's holding back her tears. She doesn't need to say it out loud. He knows why she said that. She knows about his family, that their deaths weren't an accident. She's way too observant not to see that.
"You too, princess", he replied.
He didn't know what crossed his mind but he just did it. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. It was short and soft but it felt too powerful that it took him by surprise. Well, it took them both by surprise.
She didn't say anything else after that. She only smiled before leaving.
He watched her walk away and disappeared down the staircase. Euphemia. He just knows that he will never forget the night he met the most peculiar Capitol citizen ever and he hoped that someday, their paths will cross again.
64TH HUNGER GAMES
"Heard you were getting a new escort", Chaff said during the last Victory Tour.
He had succeeded in driving away his last escort whom he can't remember the name. That's how bad it was.
"Yeah…yeah…that one will be gone too by next year", he muttered.
His best friend laughed.
"Heard this one's a little popular. Must be the most popular escort ever. Heard she used to be a model before becoming an escort", Chaff shared.
Well, that's a demotion.
"If that's true, she's dumber than the others. She's already doing great to stoop down and become an escort", he replied.
By Reaping Day, he was woken up by incredulous knocking. No one knocks on his door, not even the Peacekeepers. Everyone knows he never locks the door and they're free to barge in. He went down the stairs in frustration before yanking the door open and,
"What?!" he yelled.
It took time for his eyes to adjust and saw a woman covered in…layers of bright clothing standing outside. She's wearing a green wig and heavy makeup. His new escort.
"You're way too early", he grumbled under his breath.
"Oh, on the contrary, I do believe I am just right on time. May I come in?"
Her high pitch is sending drills inside his eardrums so he just stepped aside and let her in.
"Reaping is in two hours", he mentioned.
He saw her wrinkled her nose as she looked around his house before flashing him a smile.
"Yes, I am quite aware. Oh, how rude of me to not introduce myself! I'm Effie Trinket. I'm your new escort. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Abernathy",
She offered her hand but he didn't take it and she actually looked offended.
"Just Haymitch. Look, I get it you're new but if you knew the Reaping is in two hours, why did you come here to bother me then?" he asked in annoyance.
She pursed her lips at that.
"Well, I am glad you asked. Two hours is enough time for you to get ready for the Reaping without you needing to rush yourself. I calculated the time we're going to walk from here to the Square so you should be getting ready now", she answered.
He scoffed.
"It's a Reaping, not a Capitol's party. Go away", he snapped.
"No need to be rude, Haymitch. I brought you a nice suit to wear, gray one, simple but elegant. It's to your liking, I am sure of it, and you can't wear it if you haven't taken a shower. So, hurry along and take a shower. I'll wait for you here downstairs", she ordered.
Did she just boss him around in his own home? He was about to protest but the look on her face is telling him she's not going to let this go until he showers so he grabbed the suit and left.
"Oh, and please do shave, Haymitch! A stubble would be nice!" she yelled from the living room which made him groan.
It's going to be a long year.