Haymitch burst through the Head Gamemaker's office. Templesmith stepped back a little but managed to get a grip and stood his ground.
"Mr. Abernathy, what can I do for you?" the Head Gamemaker asked.
Even with his drunken image, Haymitch is still the last living Quarter Quell Victor. He is a golden gem of the Hunger Games and a very deadly gem.
"Stay clear of my escort", Haymitch answered.
His voice sent signals throughout the room. Templesmith pressed a button on his table and the door immediately locked. The pleasantness on his face disappeared.
"You're not one to care for an escort, Mr. Abernathy", he commented.
"I don't but she's the best one out there and I don't want your filthy friends adding to the damage", Haymitch explained.
He cares more than he likes to admit but he cannot tell him that. It will only make Effie his pressure point and he cannot do that to her.
"I am afraid I don't know what you mean", Templesmith lied.
"Cut the bullshit. Put a leash on your friends and I will keep my mouth shut about your dirty little secret", Haymitch threatened.
That made Templesmith raised an eyebrow. He is obviously not used at receiving threats from a District citizen.
"Is that a threat, Mr. Abernathy? If it is, it is unwise on your part", the Head Gamemaker countered.
"It would be unwise on your part to cross me. Unless you want the entire Capitol to know about that one party I stumbled upon you while you poured your guts out in the middle of a dark alley after you assaulted that escort", Haymitch reminded him.
Templesmith's face hardened.
"No one would believe the words of a drunken District dog over the words of a Head Gamemaker", he said.
Haymitch shrugged.
"I guess we will see then. We know how much this city loves gossip and your so-called friends are all desperate to climb the ladder. Shall I go start the fire tonight?" he asked.
Templesmith pursed his lips in annoyance. He is cornered and he knows it. Image is everything in the Capitol and if he's reputation will be tainted, his position will be at risk.
"Fine", he surrendered. "I can assure you no gamemakers will enlist your escort's services but I cannot take care the Sponsors for you", he added.
Haymitch nodded and gave him a smirk.
"I am glad to know we're still on good terms. Good luck this season", he said and then left.
When he reached the penthouse, it is awfully quiet. He knows that the kids are already asleep in their rooms but he can't find Effie. He left her at the living room but she's not there anymore. He checked the kitchen but she's not there either. Her bedroom is the last room he didn't check and he's never been there since Effie took residence in it. He knocked first since it's only proper – Effie's influence on him – and he didn't want to find her naked, though the thought did cross his mind.
"Trinket", he called when no one answered.
Manners left the penthouse and he turned the knob and the door opened. Her room is dark, not exactly what he expected. His hand found the switch on the wall and the lights went on.
Effie is on the bed with her back turned on him. She's still wearing the same dress she wore to the party. That made him frowned. For someone who's so much into manners and propriety, going to bed without changing to proper clothes is quite odd.
"Princess?" he called but she didn't even move.
Perhaps, she is really drunk that she passed out. He should've leave her there and lecture her in the morning.
He's about to leave the room when his eyes caught something on her bedside table. He halted and looked at the small bottle with a label on it. Sleeping pills. He knew that for sure because the doctors at the Game's Clinic prescribed him once of that after his game. It should be fine except from the fact that the bottle is already empty. It is possible that Effie ran out or popped the last pill but his instinct is telling him otherwise.
He took giant steps until he reached the bed and shook her gently. When she didn't respond, he tried again without the gentleness and still nothing.
"Shit, Effie", he muttered and tried to pull her up so she will be sitting on his lap.
She's so out that no matter what he does, she won't wake up. He debated whether to take her to the hospital but that would leak to the press and Effie wouldn't like it if she becomes the headline the next day.
Haymitch picked her up from the bed and brought her to the bathroom. He didn't bother with the heating system. He needs to wake her up fast so he let the cold water poured on her and him with their clothes on.
"Come on, princess", he muttered as he continued to shake her.
Slowly, Effie slightly opened her eyes but it's not enough. She will fall back to sleep again and he may not be able to wake her up again. His reflexes kicked in and he sticks two fingers down her throat and forced her to throw up all the pills she swallowed.
Effie coughed until there's nothing left to get out of her stomach. The coldness of the water finally hit her and she started shaking. Haymitch is freezing too but he cannot let her go back to sleep right away. He needs to make sure she's fully awake.
"Haymitch?" she asked with her hoarse voice. "What are you doing?" she followed up with her teeth clattering.
He took a deep sigh of relief before turning off the shower. They're both soaked and freezing but his heart is still pounding from what just happened. His adrenaline is running high.
"…trying to stop you from dying, princess", he answered.
Effie hit the bottom. Haymitch showing his protective side is always fun to write.
