Haymitch is in a dark room. The only light source is a lit candelabra resting on top of a medieval style dining table. He looks across the room and his father is there. He's there and he holds out a box. Haymitch walks over and looks into the eyes of his father who he thought he'd never see again. Haymitch speaks. He tries to ask him questions, desperate for replies but he does not get any. In fact, his father looks straight through his son as if he were not there. Haymitch starts to raise his voice. He just wants to hear his father's voice. He wants to hear anyone's voice that he loves. He needs that.
"Talk to me" ...
For a second, his father's eyes flicker down to the box. Curious, Haymitch takes the box but when he opens it, there's another box inside, and another inside of that. He opens at least fifteen boxes; each one becoming smaller every time. Inside the last box, Haymitch discovers the handkerchief. He looks back up to ask his dad the story behind it but his father is not there anymore. He's gone. Haymitch clutches the handkerchief then holds it up near the candles to study it better. It occurs to him that the colour of the fabric is in fact the exact colour of a Tansy flower. He holds onto it tighter. A superhuman force suddenly pulls at Haymitch from behind his navel and forces him backwards into some form of oblivion. His head is spinning, his vision unable to focus and his limbs are uncontrollably falling everywhere as he flies. He then starts to drop and he's is about to hit the floor-
Haymitch wakes and sits up right immediately. His breathing is heavy and his eyes are blurry. He feels around to reassure himself of where he is and he discovers his pillow is wet with sweat. To calm down, Haymitch takes a long shower. He pushes the thoughts of his disturbing nightmare to the back of his mind. A distraction is the last thing he needs right now. The first day of training starts and Haymitch does not want to waste a second.
At breakfast, he is the only tribute there with Rovan and Merit. Haymitch tries not to over-eat or under-eat. There's not much conversation between the table, even when the others arrive. When everyone is ready to leave the apartment, Rovan gives more advice and tips but none that Haymitch takes into account.
"-And remember, show them what you've got. You need to make sure that those other tributes see you as a threat. You need to be strong. If you make yourself look like a weakling, all the tributes are going to hunt you down first in that arena. A quick and easy kill will be what they think you are but you all have potential. You're more than that." Rovan says to conclude his lecture.
Haymitch walks behind Ginette who leads the four of them into the elevator. Rovan gives a stern nod as the doors close as if that were his way of wishing good luck and saying goodbye. A silence begins. Erik, who is nearest the doors, looks over his shoulder at Haymitch then quickly turns to face the front again. Haymitch knows there's something up with him but doesn't ask out loud. As soon as the elevator reaches the correct floor, everyone enters the room but he pulls Erik aside subtly.
"What's up?" Haymitch asks.
Erik doesn't reply.
"Look, Erik, I know there's something bothering you and it wouldn't be fair if you went through your first day of training without focusing fully. Just tell me"
Erik looks down, "I can't do anything Haymitch! I'm completely hopeless and Rovan, he wants us to play big, tough tributes but how can I do that when I've got nothing to sell to these people? I don't know what to do. I'm not quick, sneaky or wise. I'm not talented, I'm not intelligent, I'm not handsome like you, I couldn't even get sponsors if I wanted to. I have no chance"
"Listen-" Haymitch lowers his voice, "-what Rovan says, it's stupidity talking. If I go out there and shows all these careers 'what I've got' they're going to make me their first target. I have no talent either. This is what the training is for. Learn something new. There are several different stations so you're bound to be good at one thing. Don't doubt yourself" Haymitch pats Erik on the back in an encouraging way then leaves him to trail behind as he joins the other tributes around the middle of the training centre.
Haymitch stands alone and looks around at the faces he saw the night before. He tries not to catch their gazes.
One of the workers steps up to speak, "Welcome, tributes, this is where you will be training for the next two weeks. As you already know, there are seven different stations. Remember not to underestimate any of the stations. All are worthy and could be vital when in the arena. No fighting with other tributes. Use your time wisely, you may begin"
Haymitch takes his time around each station. He studies the others' strengths and weaknesses whilst remembering not to reveal his own. Still trying to keep a low profile, Haymitch learns new tricks, survival tips and also builds up his muscle strength.
Things stay the same each day. Haymitch trains alone, watches everyone else at the same time and he notices a great change in Erik. He seems to be talking to many of the other tributes; getting friendly with them all, Haymitch hasn't spoken to anyone else at all because otherwise he'd have to fight it out with people he liked when the games start. That would be the mistake Erik makes.
Nearing the end of the two weeks, Rovan brings up the same conversation he always does every day at the dinner table, "How did training go today?"
"I can throw a spear ten yards" Erik says proudly,
"I learnt how to set a snare" Ginette mentions,
"I can hit within the target using a bow and arrow" Maysilee says quietly.
"Haymitch? Anything new?" Rovan asks after a moment of silence.
Haymitch chuckles a little, "I thought these three were my future enemies. Why would I give away all my tricks?" Haymitch replies, a sly smile set upon his lips. Erik looks as if he regrets saying anything as the realisation hits him.
"Oh Haymitch dear, you're always so controversial" Merit says, a look of disgust written over her face.
"Just stating facts Mrs.M" He says back. Ginette brings a different worthless conversation up to cover the awkwardness. Haymitch returns to being silent. After dinner, Haymitch goes into his room. It's been eleven days. Eleven days of torture. He's done his best to put every single painful thought of home to the back of his mind but it's all too much. His eyes have not shed a single tear and he won't let them.
I'm better than this, he ponders.
No, I'm hopeless, I'll never go home again, I'll be dead in two days, he then thinks.
But I can try, I have potential...
... Those careers are going to kill me whether I try or not, Haymitch's mind plays games with him for hours more. He sits hugging his knees until he cannot take it anymore. He goes to storm out the room in order to preoccupy himself with something else but as he reaches for the door handle, he hears three knocks from the other side of the door. At first, he stands back, curious. The person knocks again. Haymitch opens the door very slightly and peers around the corner.
It's Rovan.
"May I have a word?" Rovan says. Haymitch doesn't reply but he opens the door a little wider to reveal his face.
"Well?" He asks again.
"Ok" This time Haymitch opens the door completely and lets Rovan in.
"I think me and you may have got off on the wrong foot. Can we agree to start again?" Rovan asks, simply.
"What's the point? No disrespect, Rovan but I don't think what you tell us is right. My future has already been determined for me so I'm following my own choices while I still can." Haymitch replies.
"What exactly do you mean by what I tell you is not right?"
Haymitch sighs, "You told us to go and act all big in the training centre, showing off all our skills, why would we do that? Acting arrogant will just make us a bigger target-"
"That's not being arrogant, boy, it's intimidating the rest-" Rovan interrupts.
"-No, Rovan, that's what you think! You should see the way the careers looks at the guy from district 5 and the girl from 8 who constantly show off how they can fight and throw knives. You can almost see fire in the careers' eyes! They envy them so much. You should bet money on the boy from 8 to be the first victim of the careers." Haymitch explains.
Rovan says nothing back; he wears a blank expression, as usual and looks strongly at Haymitch.
"Well, that is your opinion. I respect it." Rovan says, breaking the pause. He walks towards the door again but he stops just before he reaches it. "Haymitch, do not forget, your interview is not long away now, if you want me to help you with anything, then ask"
"I think that's missing the point but... thanks" He says back.
Rovan just nods and leaves. Haymitch scratches his head as the door shuts. He then decides to lock himself in the bathroom and this is where he'll stay until he has to move again. He sits, his back against the door, his arms resting on his knees and thinks of nothing important. Haymitch lets his mind wonder and take him places outside the four walls he sits hopeless in.
The next day, they all receive their training scores. Surprisingly, Erik and Haymitch each score an admirable seven, Maysilee a six and Ginette a four. Rovan describes the scores as 'decent' whereas Merit thought they were 'excellent' and 'marvellous'. Haymitch finds himself depressed and back isolated in his bathroom again later on.
Haymitch wakes with a foggy mind. He vaguely remembers crawling into bed the previous night. As he rises out of bed, an avox startles him. The young looking girl bows her head as if to apologise. Haymitch goes into the bathroom to wash and change for the day ahead whilst the avox makes his bed. He notices that the avox must of put away all of his clothes from the day before.
He turns and says, "Thank you"
She turns to face him when she finishes. Haymitch sees a subtle smile tugging at the edge of her lips but she simply bows he head again and exits the room.
Tomorrow, the games start and it is obvious from the atmosphere in the apartment. The conversation over breakfast is nonexistent, Ginette doesn't strike up any topics to discuss with Merit, Erik doesn't ask for tips from Rovan and Maysilee doesn't butt in un-expectantly like she usually does. Rovan announces that he will visit each of the four tributes separately in their rooms throughout the day. All in benefit for everyone's interview taking place later that evening.
Haymitch stays in his room the majority of the day. He does some work-out methods he has learned in the training centre as he figures that there's no time to waste. Rovan visits him last. He just explains the way the interview works and passes a few minor tips on how to sit, connect with audience, etc. Haymitch listens despite his lack of interest.
"After our discussion yesterday, I won't guide you on what to say but all I will tell you is: try your best to make the audience like you." That's the last thing Rovan says then he leaves.
Not long later, Haymitch gets escorted by Merit to a preparation room. Pilar returns and styles himself and Erik into reflections of the Capitol's idea of perfect. Being a male and the older one from the district, Haymitch is the last one to be interviewed. The night drags on and on so much that it's almost unbearable. He listens to the others tributes being interviewed by the beloved Caesar Flickerman. Haymitch cringes at the clique chit-chat the others speak and the fake, ditsy act they all seem to attempt to pull off. The audience don't see through it either. They eat it up like cake.
"Right, you're up" Rovan says as he pats Haymitch's shoulder lightly in encouragement.
"And finally, the second male tribute from District twelve, please, welcome, Haymitch Abernathy!" Caesar says. His voice clear and amplified throughout the stadium. The crowd seems to be as hyperactive as they were forty-seven interviews ago. Haymitch smiles without realising. He can't help it with the crowd cheering so ecstatically. He formally shakes hands with Caesar whose wrinkles displaying his age are beginning to show around his eyes. Then they both sit.
"Haymitch, Haymitch, Haymitch, you've been causing quite a stir with the girls in the Capitol. A handsome boy like you, they just cannot resist." Caesar says.
Haymitch chuckles, "I don't quite know what to say, Caesar. I'm not used to all the attention"
"Are you telling me you don't have admirers? Or not even one special girl?"
"Um, no, there is one special girl though." Haymitch says quietly. It stuns him when the audience sigh out loud. He looks up at all the faces that now look sad and apologetic in the audience.
"Well, you'll have to try and win to see her again, right?" Caesar says enthusiastically but Haymitch hears the tone in his voice and that he knows nobody ever wins from twelve. Either way, it seemed to brighten up the mood again.
"Now being a quarter quell, there's twice as many tributes, how do you feel about that? Does it put a lot of pressure on you? Are you twice as scared?"
"I don't see the difference; they'll be just as stupid" Haymitch replies.
The audience go crazy. They laugh for at least twenty seconds straight. Caesar smiles and looks at Haymitch questioningly.
"What? You know its true Caesar. You've interviewed them all." Haymitch says.
The interview carries on comfortably and when it ends, Rovan looks relieved.
"Do you think the audience like me?" Haymitch asks, mockingly.
"Maybe they do but I don't think the tributes will." Rovan replies bluntly. Haymitch doesn't take his comment into much consideration. He decides that the tributes probably hate him anyway therefore the interview doesn't make much of a difference.
When Haymitch finally returns to the apartment, he looks at himself in the mirror.
"You have to try. You have to do your best-"He feels stupid for speaking to himself out loud but he feels it is the only way to convince his mind that he could do it and win. "-mother, Mack, Tansy, they need you home. They need you to be there. You have to try. You've improved your strength, you've learned survival tips, and you can throw knives, spears and arrows pretty good. Haymitch, you have potential." And this is when it hits him, he does have potential, he could do this. If they're all just as stupid, then he has to be extra smart.
After changing, he goes to sleep on what could be his last night to ever close his eyes and dream of a different place. So for that reason, he says it in such a quiet voice, it's almost a whisper,
"Nothing else matters." With that, he closes his eyes and drifts off.