As usual, they stripped me off my clothes and asked me to put the grey jumpsuit I dread so much. I know the drill so they don't have to force me to do much. I've been here before. I should be comfortable, right? Being imprisoned never gets comfortable. They put me in my cell and locked me in. The only good thing this time around is that no one is beating the hell out of me yet unlike the first time.
My cell is different from before. It's a solid concrete room, no bars, no windows. All I can see around me are walls. Everything is same shade of color and within first few hours, it's already driving me nuts. Everywhere I look, it's grey, even my bed linen is grey. I decided to just stare at my nail polish. At least, it's neon green. When my eyes grew tired of staring on my nails, I shut them and just imagined myself being back in that garden. I pictured the colorful flowers around me and the big trees, as well as the crystal clear lake. The view is so much better now with my eyes closed.
I remember how it felt to feel Haymitch's skin and to feel his lips on mine. I remember his smile and his smell. His voice somehow resonates to my ears like a music on a loop. I lay myself on the uncomfortable bed and kept my eyes shut. I would rather keep them close if it means I can see him again. Tears fell from my eyes. I know it's silly. It's just desperation but I will gladly take it and fantasize until it's time for them to end my suffering. He will be my savior until the end.
Is it still daylight or is it nighttime already? I can't tell. The room is too dark and there's no crack on the wall to tell me if there's sunlight outside. I am not sure if it's been days since I got here. It felt like forever. Whenever I feel myself losing my mind, I would comfort myself with the thought of Haymitch. Sometimes, I will picture us in District 12 with Katniss and Peeta having dinner just like the old times. That is a nice thought.
After a while, I feel my throat getting dry. They didn't bother bringing me food or water. If they'll kill me soon, why waste resources on me, right?
I was told that there will be a trial but so far, no one's come to get me to appear in court. Maybe they have already decided and there's no need for a trial anymore. I am not Katniss. Sure, I am known but I am not the Mockingjay.
The time comes when I no longer have to force myself to close my eyes and drift off to some other reality. I am so tired and weak that I can no longer get out of bed. I just stay here with my eyes closed living a completely different reality in my head. If they keep us, I think I will save the trouble of producing that death serum. I can just go right now.
Just when I thought this is their way of executing me, starving me to death, I heard the door opened.
"Effie?" someone called.
I wanted to move but I am too weak to even lift a finger. I tried to open my eyes and I can see a portion of bright white light. Am I dead? I am not sure anymore.
"Effie? Can you hear me?" the man asked.
If I am dead, then who is this guy talking to me? What the hell is going on? I thought is supposed to be swift. I watched too many deaths in my lifetime. This should be easy.
"Jesus…what the hell did you do to her?" I heard him asked which I am sure is not me.
"We did nothing", another man said.
"I can see that. You really did nothing at all", someone said.
Haymitch's face is returning to my vision. I think my eyes are closed again. It's alright. I love seeing his face smiling back in our garden.
"Come on, Effie. We're getting you out of here", a voice intervened and Haymitch's face disappeared.
I felt someone touched my skin and carried me. Am I moving? No. I am not moving. Someone is moving and I am just moving along. The scent is familiar but for sure it's not Haymitch. I know his scent really well. I tried to talk but my throat is so dry that it hurts.
"It's alright, Effie. We got you", the man said.
I heard another door opened so I forced my eyes to open too. A blast of bright light greeted them and I shut them down quickly. It's too bright.
"Can somebody close that curtain? She's been kept in that dark cell for two weeks. The light is hurting her eyes", the man instructed someone.
I felt the bright light lessened so I tried opening my eyes once more. I can't believe it. I can see colors. It's not just grey. I see multiple colors, bright colors too! In my excitement, I tried to talk again and the pain hits back fast.
"Here", someone said and handed me a glass of water.
I am so parched that I finished it within five seconds. My vision is pretty blurry but I finally got a glimpse of the man that has been talking to me since earlier.
"Plutarch?" I muttered.
That wasn't an easy one to spit out. My throat hurts so much but I forced it because I wanted him to hear me.
"Yes, dear. It's me. You're safe now", he said.
Safe? What's that mean?
"Am I dead? I can't remember…" I tried to get it all out but that's all I can manage.
"No, you're not dead. You're very much alive, weak, but alive", he answered.
That's odd. I thought they wanted to kill me. I mostly been out of myself so I am not even sure if this is real. The door opened once more and I saw a figure came in. I did my best to force my sight to adjust. My heart almost stopped.
"Haymitch?" his name just came out effortlessly from my mouth.
"Hey, princess", he said.
