My eyesight is becoming better. I can now see him clearly standing in the middle of the room staring at me like he has seen a ghost. Do I look that bad? This is no time to become conscious. Is my trial already happening now?
"What is happening?" I asked ignoring the pain in my throat.
"Your husband has come to take you home", Plutarch answered.
Husband. Whose husband? I looked at Plutarch and he's giving me that look. It's that look he taught me back in District 13 when we wanted to say something else but we can't and it means we will talk later. I turned to Haymitch who is also giving me the same look. Oh…are they making it look like I have a husband? Who then?
"What did you do to my wife?" Haymitch suddenly asked President Paylor who's sitting on her chair.
I didn't notice her there. Wait. Hold on. Did he just call me his wife? I noticed the anger in his eyes while looking at Paylor.
"We didn't do anything. No one touched her. We are not Snow", she answered coldly.
"Yeah…you don't beat up people. You just locked them in a cell and starved them to death", he snapped.
"Okay…seeing now that the paperwork is done. I think we can get the hell out of here so Effie can rest and get her strength back", Plutarch intervened.
I remained quiet. I still don't understand what's going on but I don't want to ruin what they're doing. Haymitch went towards me and picked me up like I weigh nothing and carried me with his arms.
"It's alright, princess. We're going home", he said.
I nodded and smiled.
"Mrs. Abernathy", President Paylor called.
I stiffened. Thank goodness, Haymitch is carrying me so she didn't see my reaction.
"Yes?" I responded.
"Congratulations", she said and Haymitch took me away.
Forget about diet. I am starving. Back in District 13, I kept on complaining about the food, the drink, about everything. Now, I finally understand what it's like to actually starve. I still don't know how I survived for two weeks without food and water. That's how long I was locked up according to Plutarch. Haymitch brought me home and cooked me some food.
"Thank you. This is so good", I said.
My throat is getting better and I can talk in high pitch again. It always works in concealing my emotions. Well, it worked with everyone except with Haymitch. The man can see right through me without even trying and it's scary.
"Why aren't you eating?" I asked when I noticed him just watching.
"I cooked all that for you, princess. Just have as much as you want", he answered.
I noticed he's not even holding a flask, or a glass, or a bottle. He's not drinking. I avoided his gaze. I saw the sadness in them and pity. I don't like them in his eyes. It hurts. Eating is a good distraction and excuse to not look at him.
"So, what did I miss? I was gone for two weeks", I said trying to start up a conversation.
There might be some party or something, not that I am interested, I just want him to talk and tell me stuff.
"Katniss and Peeta called this morning. They were relieved that you're out of prison. Peeta's birthday is coming up next week and they wanted us to come", he answered.
He told them about my arrest. The kids must be so worried and that's the last thing I want them to feel. They've been through so much. They should be relaxing, living the life of a victor and not worrying about the woman who sentenced them to death…twice.
"They want you to be there", he said like he's reading my mind.
"Why does President Paylor think I'm your wife?" I asked. It has been bothering me since we left that building but I don't want to sabotage their work so I kept it shut.
"This new government takes pride of the surviving victors from the games. Most of them are part of the cabinet except the victors from District 12 because of Katniss. Paylor knows she cannot touch the wife of a victor especially the one who contributed to the rebellion. She will risk an uprising from the districts and she doesn't want to take that chance so she let you go", he answered.
I looked at him and saw exhaustion. Did he sleep yet? I can see the dark circles around his eyes. He worked hard to get me out. I can see that.
"So, I am guessing you and Plutarch faked 'our' marriage certificate", I muttered.
"Oh no, princess. We didn't fake it. The marriage certificate is real", he corrected.
I frowned.
"Real? How can it be real? I haven't signed anything", I asked but then I realized something and the way he looked at me confirmed it. "You forged my signature", I guessed. He nodded. "Haymitch, if they found out what you did, you will be in trouble!" I exclaimed.
He put his hands over my shoulders.
"It's alright, Eff. They won't find that out. You and I are married and everything supported that. We'll be fine. Calm down. I won't let them take you away again", he tried to calm me down.
"Haymitch, it's not worth your freedom or your life", I said or more like whispered.
"Stop", he cut me off. "I love you too, Effie Trinket. I love you more than I can say and I know it's the worst idea but I am in deep and I don't and can't live without you so yeah…it is worth everything if that means I get to be with you", he said.
