My mind worked pretty fast. I know I can't bear not to do anything to get Effie out. Plutarch wasn't successful with his attempt to use his connections to free her. For days, I scoured the Capitol for anyone that can help us but no one would dare. They were aware of her contribution to the rebellion and they were grateful for it but they wouldn't want to risk helping a Capitol-born citizen who participated in the games. Of course I can't blame them. They're just being careful but it's Effie. I can't just give up so easy.
Few days past and I still got nothing. Plutarch hasn't heard any news about her trial. Paylor still can't decide whether it will be public or a private one. I can no longer hide it from Katniss and Peeta. The word of her arrest has reached other districts and it's only a matter of time before it reach 12 so I have to tell them before they find out about it from someone else.
"Are you kidding me?!" Katniss yelled over the phone. "Effie left her home to join us. She left her life for us, for the rebellion and this is how they repay her?" she added.
I can hear Peeta in the background telling her to calm down.
"No one wants to help her here. They are either scared or angry. Most people here still hate her for being an escort, you know", I said.
"What exactly they want? She's born at the Capitol. That's not her fault. It's not her fault either that she was also forced to be an escort for District 12", she said.
I frowned.
"What makes you say she was forced?" I asked.
Did Effie tell her about Snow choosing her to put some spotlight in our district?
"Oh come on, Haymitch. It's obvious. She doesn't like the game at all. She's just pretending the whole time with that fake smile and high pitched voice. I saw the other escorts of other districts. They didn't care about any of us. Effie does. She's the only one who cared as well as Cinna. I knew that it wasn't her choice to be part of the games", she answered.
I have to admit. The girl is smart. That's why she survived the games. That's why she's the Mockingjay.
"I know. She's the only escort who cried every year", I muttered remembering those times she would actually cry when our tributes die horribly on TV while the rest of the Capitol cheered and laughed.
"What are you going to do? We can't let them kill her. Do you want me to come there and help?" she asked and offered.
I knew she cares about Effie even though she did her best hiding it. It's the same way Peeta cares for Katniss. He will do anything for her. He would even sacrifice himself for her. Hold on a sec.
"Haymitch?" Katniss called my attention.
"I'm here. I know what to do", I answered.
"Please, tell me it's nothing crazy", she said.
I chuckled.
"That's how I like it", I muttered.
I called Plutarch and we started working out my plan. Of course, he thinks it's crazy but I don't care. All I care about is getting Effie out of that place and keeping her safe.
"Do you think Paylor will buy this?" Plutarch asked.
"Oh, I am good at this. She will", I answered.
We entered her office and settled down.
"Mr. Abernathy, what a surprise. What brings you here?" President Paylor greeted.
"I've been in town for almost a month now. I thought you already know that but I guess there are plenty of things you still don't know about", I said.
She frowned.
"Like what, Mr. Abernathy?" she asked.
"Like the fact that you just imprisoned the wife of a Victor and an officer of the rebellion", I answered.
Plutarch handed her a piece of paper. We watched her go over the page multiple times. Her eyes couldn't believe what she's seeing.
"This couldn't be true. How I was not informed of this?" she muttered.
"Like I said, you don't know a lot of things", I said.
"When did this happen?" she asked.
"A week after she got out of the hospital. I realized I couldn't live without her and I don't want to take any more chances so I married her. You can ask her neighbors. We've been living together in her apartment for weeks now. When your soldiers arrested her, we were in the garden having a picnic. You ruined our date", I answered.
It's an airtight alibi. We've been living together since she got out of the hospital. I stay in her apartment. Everyone is already spreading around that we're sleeping with each other.
"Now, that you know. I think you don't want this to spread around the districts. The new government arrested the wife of a Victor who turned her back at the Capitol to join the rebellion, the rebellion that put you in the office. You don't want to start another uprising. You know how they feel about this sort of thing and that's Effie Trinket. You're brewing a storm in your own backyard", I said.
President Paylor got no choice. She knows I am right. Putting Effie on trial is not the choice for an example she's trying to set for her people. Plutarch went down the cells to get her out while I waited to finish her paperwork. Finally, they called me. She's in the office. I went in right away and saw her sitting on the sofa wearing a grey jumpsuit, her face pale as a white paper.
"Haymitch?" she muttered in a weak voice.
"Hey, princess", I said.
