Another Reaping Day arrives. I don't go to the woods these mornings. Haymitch needs me too much. And I can't lie, I need him too. These days are too rough, knowing what we know about the Capitol and the Games. It is too easy to slip into the painful memories of our own Reapings, the feelings of desperation and fear come right back to the forefront of the mind.
I had given Katniss a loaf of bread from the bakery, a smile on my face as I told her to share it with Gale. I had hunted with them a few times since I first met him, but the incident with the knife seems to keep us from really being friends. Which is fine by me; the more friends I have, the more leverage Snow has.
I haven't ever gotten to really know her mother or sister. I only ever really knew Forrest, and with him gone, I had gotten to know Katniss better since we continued to hunt together. Of course, she still got all of the game we managed to get.
I woke Haymitch an hour before we need to be to the Town Center. He tried to say that he didn't need a shower, but agreed all too quickly when I pulled my shirt over my head with a flourish and said, "Too bad, I'll be terribly lonely in there all by myself."
He started drinking immediately after our shower. And I don't stop him. I love and care for him despite the drinking. Sometimes, when he is drunk, he allows himself to really love me. He slurs the sweetest things to me before passing out most evenings.
Haymitch has an arm slung over my shoulder as we walk. I am in my signature knee length dress and heels, and Haymitch just wears dressier clothes. I pull his arm up higher on my shoulder, "Haymitch, dear, could you please try to keep your feet moving? We are already late."
"I'm walking!" He says, his head snapping up and his bleary eyes meeting mine.
I huff, a smirk on my face, "Barely."
He only grins before his eyes look to the road in front of us, and he really concentrates on where he is placing his feet. Our pace picks up, and he starts stumbling on his own, rather than be dragged along by me. "Thank you," I smile at him as I straighten my dress.
"Anything for you." He garbles, a grin on his face that I can't help but return.
As we near the stage, I see that we are, indeed, late. The speech has already started. This is fine, I don't need to sit through the same speech we hear every year.
Haymitch is a little ahead of me when Mayor Undersee starts listing the past Victors of District 12. We have had a total of three; Lucy Gray Baird, Haymitch Abernathy, and Raven Eversole.
Haymitch is on the steps to the stage when his name is said. I start walking faster, knowing that he has no idea what is going on. His head snaps up at his name, and he stumbles forward. He plops himself into his chair, and I follow suit, sitting next to him.
The crowd claps, and Haymitch, confused, leans over to hug our newest Escort, Effie Trinket. Effie is all hands, trying to fend off Haymitch. I lean forward and grab him. I pull him back and he looks at me. His smile grows when his eyes meet mine, and I see his eyes soften. I give him a soft smile and scoot my chair closer to his, holding his hand once I am settled.
Mayor Undersee quickly continues, trying to get the attention off of Haymitch. He introduces Effie Trinket, who teeters on her high heels over to the microphone. "Happy Hunger Games!" Effie starts in her too-cheery voice, "And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
I notice that the back of her wig is off center, most likely knocked askew by Haymitch. I smirk slightly at this, knowing that the people of the Capitol are very concerned with their appearance. Haymitch notices my smile and grins at me, "You shouldn't be smiling now."
I look to him and my smile grows, "I can't help it." I shrug, "You about knocked her wig off."
He grins and my attention goes back to Effie, who now has her hand in the bowl to Reap the girl's name for the Games.
All is quiet as Effie teeters her way back to center stage. "Primrose Everdeen!"
I stare out at the crowd. Not one of Forrest's girls! They can't! Haymitch's hand immediately squeezes mine, and I stare at him. The crowd is silent, and all I can see is the beautiful grey of Haymitch's eyes.
I hear the anguished cry from the crowd, "Prim!" I know that voice, and I look out to see Katniss emerging from the gathered children of our District. "Prim!"
I watch as Katniss reaches her sister and pushes the young girl behind her, "I volunteer!" She shouts, "I volunteer as Tribute!"
Katniss is led onstage, murmuring coming from the crowd as Prim is carried away by Gale. I am in shock, staring at the daughter of my closest friend who is to be sent into the Games.
I can't hear anything as Effie starts talking to Katniss. The crowd around us all stare at her, and one by one, everyone lifts their hands, touching the three middle fingers of their left hands to their lip and then holding it out to Katniss. I do the same, although, it is only my pointer finger since I had lost the other two in my own Games.
I am in such shock at the turn of events that I fail to stop Haymitch from staggering forward and wrapping an arm around Katniss' shoulder. "Look at her! Look at this one!" I see Haymitch is squeezing her shoulders, "I like her!" He wobbles around slightly before continuing, "Lots of…. Spunk!" He then starts walking toward the front of the stage and points to a camera, "More than you!" He continues walking forward, "More than you!"
I watch with bated breath as he tumbled directly off the front of the stage. I quickly stand and make my way around to the front. He has knocked himself unconscious. I kneel beside him, wiping the hair from his face as a couple attendants slip him onto a stretcher and carry him away. I follow behind, refusing to be away from him, especially today.
We are on the train, Haymitch having been judged to be fine laying on the bed. I am sitting next to him as I feel the train take off. Haymitch comes to, and grumbles something about needing a drink. He plants a quick kiss to my neck and stumbles from the room.
When he returns, I am still in the same position. He hands me a glass and sits beside me. We each drink our respective glasses, and he lays back down. I turn and look at him, his eyes are closed, and his breathing is slowing already.
"We have to help her win, Haymitch."
"She can't win." He grumbles.
"She can! She can use a bow better than anyone! I also let her use my knives sometimes."
"Darling, she doesn't have the guts. You had more spunk in your eyes than that girl."
I only sigh, knowing that now, while he is drunk and wallowing, is not the right time for me to change his mind.
I lay next to him for a while before there is a knock on my door. Effie's voice filters through, "Dinner time!"
I stand and straighten my dress. One glance at Haymitch tells me that he will not be joining us. I quietly leave the compartment and make my way to the dining car.
Upon entering, I see who I assume to be the male Tribute this year sitting at the table. I give him a smile and slide into the seat across from him.
"You're Raven," He states.
I nod, "What is your name?"
"Peeta Mellark."
I only nod in response.
My attention is drawn to the door as it slides open, and Effie leads Katniss into the car. She looks around and her eyes lock on mine, "Where is Haymitch?"
Before I can, Peeta speaks up, "Last I saw him, he said he was going to take a nap."
I snort, a smirk on my face. That is just what he is doing.
"Well, it's been an exhausting day." Effie states, relieved that Haymitch won't be here to sully the meal.
The food is served. Small portions of wonderful tasting food are deposited before each of us, course by course. I smile as I watch Katniss eat. I know that she has never tasted the wonders of Capitol food.
"At least you two have manners." Effie speaks up, "The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It completely upset my digestion."
"Effie, do not speak ill of the dead." I tell her. She squeaks slightly, but smiles at me apologetically. I notice Katniss set her fork down and eat the remainder of the meal with her fingers. I struggle to hide my smirk as she wipes her hands on the tablecloth, leaving Effie looking very unamused.
The four of us head into another compartment to watch the Reapings from the other districts. I bring a full glass of whiskey with me and sit beside Katniss. She looks at me and frowns at the glass in my hand. I just raise an eyebrow and take a long sip.
The Career Districts look about the same as they do every year: mean, strong, and ready to win. The rest of the Tributes are mostly scrawny kids, half of them not looking like they have ever had enough to eat. I guess our Tributes are some of the better looking this year, Peeta coming from the bakery and Katniss supporting her own family are more well fed than most other Tributes.
We watch District 12's Reaping. Prim's name being called, Katniss volunteering, the silent salute, then Haymitch taking a tumble off the stage and me joining him while he is carted away.
Effie is upset about the way her wig is off center from a handsy Haymitch, "Your mentor has a lot to learn about presentation. A lot about televised behavior."
Peeta starts laughing, "he was drunk. He's drunk every year."
"Every day." Katniss smirks. I frown slightly, since I understand exactly why Haymitch drinks like he does.
"Yes, how odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games." Effie speaks, "The one who advises you, lines up your sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch and Raven will be difference between your life and your death!"
I may have had more to say on the matter if I hadn't drank so much, but since I have, I am feeling relatively unbothered. I look up to see Haymitch enter the compartment, speaking in a slurred voice, "I miss supper?" He then promptly vomits all over the floor and falls into his mess.
Effie stands and tip toes around him and his mess, "So laugh away!"
I stand and make my way, stumbling, over to Haymitch. When did I drink so much? I stand at the edge of the puddle of vomit, staring at him as he slips around, trying to stand. "Apparently, I should not have left you to your own devices for so long." It was rare for Haymitch to actually vomit. He was pretty good at getting blackout drunk but never crossing that line where his body needed to purge itself of the poison.
I look back at Katniss, shrug, and sit down crisscrossing my legs on the floor beside the mess. Haymitch looks at me, and his eyes soften. He also decides to just relax onto the floor, right into the vile smelling puddle. Haymitch's drunken eyes slide up my body and he smirks, "You really shouldn't sit like that. It's not lady like, 'specially not in a dress." His voice is slurred, vomit smearing on his chin.
"You're disgusting," I laugh.
Peeta and Katniss then come over and lift Haymitch off the floor. Haymitch looks slightly confused, "I tripped?" His nose wrinkles slightly, "Smells bad." He wipes his hand on his nose, smearing vomit across his face.
I stand and follow as the two of them lead/carry Haymitch to his compartment. I stumble behind as they get him into the shower. They turn on the water, Haymitch doesn't even look up. "It's okay." Peeta says, looking at Katniss, "I'll take it from here."
"Alright." Katniss responds. She comes over to me and lifts me back off the floor, "I can send one of the Capitol people to help you."
"No!" I immediately protest, pulling away from her slightly, "Haymitch deserves better! If you won't do it, I will!"
"No, I'll do it. I don't want them." Peeta responds.
I smile slightly, "Thank you, Peeta."
Katniss leads me out of the room. She starts steering me toward the door, but I quickly shove her away, kick my shoes off, and climb into Haymitch's bed.
"That's not your bed." She tells me.
"Haymitch's bed is my bed." I respond, snuggling down into the covers. I lay there until Peeta finally brings Haymitch out and settles him into the bed next to me. I roll over and lay against him, falling asleep instantly.
I wake before Haymitch, but just barely. He is soon jolting awake, surely from a nightmare, my head is jostled since it was resting on his chest.
"Could you wake up without pushing me around, please?" I grumble, turning and pushing my face into his arm.
"Sorry." He mutters. I sit up and reach into his nightstand, pulling out a new bottle. I take a swig and hand it to him, he does the same.
Soon, we are liquored up enough to roll out of bed. He dresses, and then follows me to my compartment so I can pull on a new dress. Then we head to breakfast.
Peeta is already at the table when we enter. Haymitch grabs my hand and leads me to the buffet on the side of the compartment. He hands me a plate and starts piling it with my favorite foods. I quickly point out the chocolate donut, and he slips it onto his own plate, sending me a wink.
We make our way to the table and sit down. Peeta is staring at us the whole time. I smile at him and take a bite of the most beautiful scrambled eggs. My eyes roll backwards and I scoop up some more, making Haymitch take a bite.
"I should have gotten some eggs," He says.
I grin, then turn to Peeta, "Thanks for your help last night."
Peeta nods and Haymitch speaks, "What did he do?"
I turn to Haymitch, "He gave you a bath to wash your vomit off you."
He looks at Peeta before looking back at me, "That right?" I nod, he continues, "You usually do that."
"I was a little too unstable." I smirk as I take another bite. Haymitch turns back to his plate, so I elbow him, my head nodding toward Peeta.
"Well," Haymitch turns his attention to Peeta, "thank you."
Peeta gives a small smile and nods.
"Have you tried the hot chocolate?" I ask Peeta. When he only gives me a confused look, I gesture to one of the attendants. They promptly bring over a mug and set it in front of him. Peeta takes a sip, his eyes widen, and he takes a larger sip. He smiles at me, "That's good!" I smile, going back to my food.
Effie teeters into the compartment on her heels, and looks to Haymitch and I, "Well, good morning, you two!"
"Good morning, Effie." I respond.
"Haymitch, did you enjoy yourself last night?"
"Oh, absolutely." Haymitch says, then looks to me with a devious smirk. He loves messing with our Escort. "I don't remember much, but I did wake up with a beautiful woman in my bed, so I must have done something right."
Effie lets out a 'humph' and I smile, "You were drunk, Haymitch. You slept." I laugh.
"Are you sure that's all? I'm fairly certain I cleaned up the remnants of-"
"You two! Disgraceful! This kind of talk in front of our Tributes!" Effie says, cutting off Haymitch's dirty remarks. I can see the look of triumph in his eyes at getting our Escort's feathers ruffled.
I lean toward Haymitch, speaking lowly to him, "If you behave yourself, I can do that thing you like." Haymitch's eyes darken as he smirks at me. Peeta's face is quite red from hearing such talk. Effie walks away, muttering obscenities under her breath when Katniss walks into the room.
"Sit down! Sit down!" Haymitch waves Katniss over.
"Such a quick change to your behavior." I mutter to him, and he grins at me.
Katniss is served a large plate of food, and I wave them over for another mug of hot chocolate.
Katniss stares at it for a moment before Peeta speaks, "They call it hot chocolate. It's good!"
We all eat in silence. Haymitch brings out his flask and pours some of his alcohol into both of our cups, considerably more into his than mine. I end up having to wave him off, and he just shrugs, pouring more into his own.
Once I am done eating, I see Katniss looking around at us. I can't help but look at her and just feel sadness. There is nothing I can do for her. Haymitch has refused to help me help her. One of my closest friend's daughters is going to die.
"So, you're supposed to give us advice." Katniss says, glancing between Haymitch and I.
Before I can respond, Haymitch speaks, "Here's some advice. Stay alive." Haymitch then bursts out laughing. I only stare at him and shake my head once, looking back to my plate.
"That's very funny." Peeta says to him. Suddenly, he is slapping the glass out of Haymitch's hand, the glass shatters on the floor, red liquid staining the carpet. "Only not to us."
I see Haymitch studying Peeta for a moment, "Haymitch…" I warn. He ignores me, lunging across to punch the boy across the jaw. Peeta is knocked from his chair. Haymitch leans to grab the spirits and Katniss slams a knife into the table, just between two of his fingers.
Haymitch squints at her for a moment before sitting back in his chair. "Well, what's this?" He looks to me, then back to them, "Did we actually get a pair of fighters this year?"
Peeta stands from the floor, and I make my way to him, grabbing a handful of ice from under the fruit turret in the middle of the table. "No," Haymitch speaks, "Let the bruise show." I turn to him with raised eyebrows and he continues, "The audience will think you mixed it up with another Tribute before you've even made it to the arena."
I nod, tossing the ice to the floor and making my way back beside Haymitch.
"That's against the rules," Peeta says.
"Only if they catch you," I say.
"Exactly." Haymitch nods, "that bruise will say you fought. You weren't caught, even better." He then turns to Katniss, "Can you hit anything with that knife besides the table?" Katniss stares at him for a moment, making Haymitch continue, "Do you need a demonstration?" He picks up a knife and hands it to me.
I smirk, taking the knife from him. I quickly fling it across the room, the blade of the knife pulls off the top-most petal of a flower in a vase and secures it to the wall behind it, blade implanted in a seam of the compartment wall.
Katniss quickly yanks her knife from the table and sends it sailing. It sticks into a seam in the wall behind me, and I look at her, pride in my eyes. "I taught her that," I whisper to Haymitch.
"Stand over here, both of you." Haymitch gestures to the middle of the room. I stay sitting while Haymitch pokes and prods at the both of them. "Well, you're not entirely hopeless. Seem fit. And once the stylists get ahold of you, you'll be attractive enough." He then glances at me, "Not as attractive as Raven, but enough."
I grin at him, "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Abernathy."
He sends a wink my way before turning back to our Tributes, "Alright, I'll make a deal with you. You don't interfere with my drinking, and I'll stay sober enough to help you." He then points a finger toward them, "But you have to do exactly what we say."
Peeta nods, "Fine."
"So, help us," Katniss begins, "When we get to the arena, what's the best strategy at the Cornucopia for someone –"
"One thing at a time." Haymitch interrupts. "In a few minutes, we'll be pulling into the station."
"You'll be put into the hands of your stylists." I say, standing and walking toward them. "You aren't going to like what they do to you. But no matter what it is, don't resist."
"But –" Katniss is cut off.
"No buts. Don't resist." Haymitch grabs a bottle from the table in one hand and my hand in the other and leads me out of the compartment.
Once we get to his compartment, he looks at me, "We are gonna try to get your girl out of there."
I nod, smiling slightly. "Thank you. I couldn't do this without you."
He pulls me to him, pressing a kiss to my lips, "Anything for you, Darling."
