The game has finally begun. Effie nervously sat on the sofa at the penthouse as they waited for the tributes to appear on the television. Haymitch is already nursing his glass of whisky while going over the Sponsor forms Effie handed to him few hours earlier.

The frown on his forehead never went away from the moment he returned at their floor. He has been the Mentor of Ditrict Twelve since he's sixteen years old and not once they got three Sponsors already lined up before the games actually starts. He wanted to confront her so badly but she's already in distress when she said her goodbye to the children. She has already been too attached that it brought tears to her eyes when Leticia cried. It was messy for Haymitch's taste but it's only natural since Effie and the kids slept in one bed almost every night.

Her eyes are glued to the screen and when the canon boomed, it all happened quickly. Both kids died at the Cornucopia.

Haymitch expected for her to go all drama queen but she's silent. She put the TV on mute and carefully got up from the sofa. The mask is on and her eyes are cold.

"Congratulations, you were right. They're dead in less than five minutes. Well done", she said coldly.

His eyes followed her every move as she took her pack of cigarette from the drawer and started smoking. She cannot hide how badly her hand shakes but she doesn't care if he sees. She's too far hurt to even care what he thinks of her at the moment.

"I never wanted that. I just told you the reality. It's not my fault you get too attached, princess", he said.

Effie scoffed.

"That's your process, isn't it? You keep your distance and detach yourself to avoid the pain. That's a coward's way out", she snapped.

"You're calling me a coward now?" he asked.

Effie turned around to face him.

"I did my part. There is nothing more I can do. I cannot say the same thing about you", she answered.

He wasn't able to dodge that one. It's true that he didn't do his job. He gave an advice here and there but it's lousy advice. He spent the entire time drinking and hanging out with Chaff when Effie was doing her best to be the Escort and the Mentor.

"How did you get three Sponsors before the games start?" he finally asked.

Effie paused for a moment before gathering herself.

"Talk like everybody else. You know how", she answered.

"Oh, I know how, sweetheart since I've been doing this for a long time and not once a Sponsor thought about investing to Twelve before the games start so tell me how you managed to get three", he insisted.

There is something about the tone of his voice that struck fear in Effie's heart. She has seen his game. She knows he can be dangerous but for some reason, she cannot bring herself to fully fear him. Deep in her bones, she can feel that he isn't capable of hurting her which is odd since they don't really know each other.

"I have my ways. I know people who know rich men", she answered casually. "There's no need to fuss about that now. We're out. We can use them next year though. I can make it work", she added.

Already moving forward, he mused. Only she can jump from one pair of dead kids to another.

"You're lying to me about something and I can see it but you're right. There's no need to fuss about it now. You are quitting and I won't see you again next year", he concluded.

It's her turn to frown.

"I beg your pardon? Are you really that eager to make me quit? Twelve was a mess before I got here. I just updated everything in your file and sorted your paperwork. I literally reintroduced your district to the society and now you wanted me out? What did I do wrong for your taste, Haymitch?" she exclaimed.

Everything she said was true. She cleaned up Twelve's mess in just a year. More people finally noticed them for being an actual district and not just for Haymitch's reputation of being drunk. With regards to her job as an escort, she did absolutely amazing.

"You get attached. That's your mistake and now look at what you're doing", he answered gesturing to her cigarette. "I told you the games will ruin you and it is happening. Quit before it's too late", he added.

He turned his back and started walking away when he heard her chuckled. Haymitch stopped and turned back to see her controlling the laughter coming out of her mouth.

"What's so funny?" he asked failing to see where the amusing part is.

"You district people are all about black and white, aren't you? You always think of us Capitols being over privileged and above the rules", she muttered.

"…because that part is true, princess", he seconded.

"Well, you would be wrong", she spat and for a moment they locked eyes with each other.

The things they weren't allowed to say since to have been conveyed in that moment of silence. Haymitch felt an unusual knot in his stomach tightening.

Effie is the first to break the staring contest between them. She put out the cigarette on the ash tray he never knew was there.

"The year isn't over yet. After the game, there will be interviews lined up for each districts. I can arrange it to be just one and put us ahead of schedule if you want to go back to your district as early as possible. I can handle the rest of the paperwork so there's nothing for you to think about. Victory Tour is optional so I know Twelve will not be making an appearance to that. Hold it together for a few more days and you will be free from my leash until next year", she said before leaving him alone in the penthouse wondering what her silence just told him.


Leticia and Daryl are dead. I know. i'm sorry but it has to be done. There are more layers to be shed.