Chapter Eighty-One; The Unexpected & The Expected

(Stephanie's POV)

Stephanie and Haymitch slipped from the car, clutching one another's hand tightly.

If someone saw them here it would be more than too late already; caught 'holding hands' would be the least of their worries.

Haymitch leaned to mumble something to the driver and Stephanie watched in something like alarm, as when Haymitch stepped back, the car pulled away silently.

A strange feeling came over Stephanie then. It was as though a weight or something had been lifted from her shoulders and adrenaline pumped through her blood.

Stephanie clutched Haymitch's hand even tighter if that were possible, as one thought filtered through to her.

Run.

It was a wild thought and if she really thought about it Stephanie knew in reality it was impossible. They were still in the Capitol.

But looking about her it was hard not to feel a sudden light-headed, almost giddy sense of…freedom, or some form of it.

There wasn't a Capitol guard in sight. And for a moment Stephanie and Haymitch could almost pass for two Capitolites – albeit unusual, 'boringly normal-looking' Capitolites – standing holding hands on the pavement.

Then the moment passed and Haymitch walked towards the huge building's entrance in front of him, Stephanie following after him.

Haymitch pressed a buzzer on the side of the door as he stood tensely waiting.

A moment later the door opened silently.

Stephanie immediately decided she didn't like the building. Normally Capitol buildings were cool whites and sleek furniture, modern and clinical.

The walls of the inside of this building were a burnished red, the paint flaking and the lift that Haymitch led them to groaned and creaked, doing nothing to allay the nervous flips of Stephanie's stomach.

By the time the lift doors slid open Stephanie was practically shaking against Haymitch.

Haymitch slipped a supporting arm around her waist for a moment, pressing a brief kiss against her hair.

Stephanie forced herself to take deep breaths as they stepped out of the lift.

The apartment they then entered was just as strange, much like the building was, Stephanie decided.

She didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't this.

They walked down a narrow hallway before entering into the living area/kitchenette/dining area. Around all the walls was wood panelling up to her waist, a mahogany in colour though long dulled. The upper half of the wall was a deep olive green that did nothing to lighten the place up.

Stephanie glanced around further. There were only two other doors that Stephanie could see and both were slightly ajar, revealing a tiny bathroom and a glimpse of an unmade bed; the bedroom, Stephanie assumed.

Where was the 'training centre'?

"So this is her?"

A man appeared seemingly from nowhere, his gaze sweeping over Haymitch and Stephanie with casual interest.

Stephanie felt Haymitch stiffen ever so slightly as he remained silent.

Stephanie also noted there were no fake smiles, no theatrics for cameras. Well it made sense given the circumstances.

The man studied Stephanie for a moment in the ensuing silence, neither interested nor dismissive - just mildly curious, his platinum blonde hair glossy and slicked back.

Then he shrugged one shoulder half-heartedly.

"Knock yourselves out," he said with a dismissive wave, and turning surprisingly graceful for his stature, left the way they had come, shutting the apartment front door after him quietly.

Stephanie stood a little stunned before Haymitch gently tugged her back towards the narrow hallway.

Stephanie followed him, looking sceptically as they paused halfway down the hall. Then her eyes widened in amazement as part of the wall suddenly slid back.

They passed on through, the 'door' closing silently behind them, melding seamlessly into the canvas of the wall, undetectable to the naked eye.

Stephanie whistled lowly as she took in the 'training centre' all around her.

It was huge. And from what Haymitch had described to her of the tribute training centre – given that she hadn't seen it yet – it seemed to be built in a similar fashion with many 'individual stations'.

The whole room was shaped in a huge 'L' shape; almost like two, huge, oblong rooms joined together.

"What is this place?" Stephanie whispered softly, her voice almost in awe.

This was more the Capitol she was used to; blinding fluorescent lights ran the entire length of the ceiling, unwavering in their intensity. The walls were spotless white as was the ceiling. The floor was black but despite looking as hard as rock, it had an almost spongy feel to it, as Stephanie rocked slightly on her heels.

"Let's get started."

Haymitch started to shrug out of his blazer when Stephanie turned to him, her look one part shock, and one part amused.

"You're going to train me?" she said, a hint of incredulity to her tone.

Haymitch gave her a deadpan look as he deposited his blazer on a table nearby.

"Sweetheart, as hard as this seems for you to believe – I have done this before," Haymitch told her, before adding more seriously. "And the more people involved, the greater the risk."

Stephanie nodded. It must have been difficult and risky enough to try and get this place without trying to obtain either sympathetic or downright suicidal trainers, Stephanie reasoned silently.

Stephanie was broken from her reverie when Haymitch called her.

He was paused outside a door that Stephanie hadn't noticed, evidently waiting.

Stephanie approached obediently, looking to Haymitch questioningly.

"You'll find suitable clothes in here," Haymitch told her, gesturing into the room.

Stephanie arched a brow. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" she asked a little testily, glancing down self-consciously.

She hadn't really put much thought into her clothing that morning, but her clothes were flexible enough and comfortable.

Haymitch's only answer was to shove her through the door. "And be quick," he added.

Stephanie rolled her eyes.

She found herself in some sort of dressing room, though unlike the ones she had previously encountered in the Capitol, this one wasn't filled with floor length mirrors and bright, gaudy prints.

There was a metal bench that ran one length of the room and facing it was a row of tall, metal lockers. Stephanie even snorted in dry amusement as she saw the row of showers and a single dressing table. Trust Capitolites to always want to look their best, even after learning how to kill, she thought.

Going over to one of the lockers Stephanie opened it gingerly and peered inside.

She gasped sharply as she lifted out the suit. It was charcoal black with silver lining, the Capitol insignia clear upon the front. It was made of some strange material that felt cool under her touch.

It looked similar to the body suits the tributes wore for training, except for the Capitol insignia.

Sighing resignedly Stephanie began to undo the buttons of her shirt as she also spied suitable footwear in the bottom of the locker.

A few minutes later Stephanie stepped out of the small room, now in suitable attire and ready.

Haymitch was already over at one of the stations, crouching down as he examined some weapons he had laid out.

Stephanie noted with a great deal of interest that Haymitch had changed into a similar suit to hers, which showcased his toned physique rather nicely, Stephanie decided with a slight blush.

Haymitch concentrating on the task before him did not see Stephanie's gaze raking over him, but he could certainly feel it.

"Sweetheart…when you're finished," he teased as he straightened and stood.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, her blush deepening as she muttered something along the lines of, "Don't flatter yourself."

Haymitch merely smirked before his expression sobered and suddenly he was in full trainer mode.

Stephanie gulped.