Peeta, Effie and I get out of the fancy Capitol car once we arrive at the station, and there are lots of people there with cameras and microphones. I try to devoid my face of all emotion. I don't want them to think I'm weak, just like I didn't want Prim to know I was worried. Except, only now, it's for the benefit of my life.

Peeta and I are escorted into the train by Effie, and she tells us to sit down and wait for our mentor, which is, much to my dismay, Haymitch. R.I.P Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, sixteen year olds of District 12...

I sit down on a dark blue sofa, a bit like the one in the Justice Building, and look around.

Not that I was listening much, but Effie wasn't lying about how good the train was.

Though I couldn't exactly enjoy it. Knowing it's only to take me to my death sentence.

I notice Peeta hasn't sat down yet, and I give him a questioning look. Next thing I know, I'm being crushed up against his chest in the world's biggest bear hug. I sigh against him, as I wrap my arms around his torso. Then I realise he's sobbing. Oh no.. Please don't..

"Peeta, please don't cry," I'm surprised at how desperate my plea sounds. "Please, you'll make me upset."

He resurfaces from my hair, and his face is once again red and puffy. "I-I'm sorry.." he apologises.

I feel bad. "You don't have to be sorry," I reassure. "I know how you're feeling."

I mumble the last bit.

"Come on, let's sit down." I lead Peeta over to the sofa I was sitting on, and because it's big enough, the both of us sit on it, wrapped in each other's arms, Peeta's chin resting on the top of my head. I could feel his breath blowing bits of my hair around every time he exhaled. It was strangely soothing.

Finally, after what seemed like years, Haymitch came out of a door, drunk as usual, and looking incredibly soiled. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top and had stains on it, and his trousers were ragged and dirty. He walked over to the refreshment table and got a cup of whiskey, then came over to us and sat on the opposite chair. All he did was stare at us, so me, getting quite fed up, said, "So, you finally decided to show your face then. The smell of your own putrid breath too much for you?"

The satisfaction was practically illuminating off of me, if that was possible. But it soon died down as I saw Haymitch raise his fist.

Peeta moved quickly in front of me, shoving Haymitch away. "Don't even think about it." he says harshly to a very non-put off Haymitch.

I put my hand on Peeta's shoulder, giving him the OK and, breathing heavily, Peeta sat back down again, putting his arm protectively around my waist. I gave my infamous scowl to Haymitch, who in turn smirked back.

"You would've deserved it." he says.

"And you would've deserved the punch I'd hit back." I counter.

I feel Peeta give me an amused squeeze, and I'm immediately satisfied once again. Never mind the fact that Haymitch is giving me a disgusted look. That just makes it all the better.

"So," Peeta says. I can tell he's trying not to laugh. "Are you going to help us?"

Haymitch looks at Peeta, pretends to contemplate it, then says, "Hm, no thank you boy. I'll just be going right back to my room."

With that, he got up off the sofa, grabbed the bottle of whiskey, and trudged to the door.

I was positively fuming.

"OI," I yell, getting up. "GET YOUR GOOD-FOR-NOTHING, FAT, USELESS LUMP BACK OVER HERE TO HELP ME AND MY BOYFRIEND WIN THESE BLOODY GAMES, WHICH YOU ARE A PART OF."

I was seeing stars after that. Haymitch was frozen, staring at me blankly.

Peeta was also staring at me blankly, but I could see that look in his eyes.

That look of admiration. I wanted to kiss his face off. But I didn't, and instead continued to glare at Haymitch. He was now, to my surprise, punching my face in.

It didn't hurt much, but the fall did when he lunged at me. I landed on my hand and it made a sort of cracking noise. I cried out, as Haymitch grabbed the smashed whiskey bottle and held it up to my neck, pressing it down slightly so little beads of scarlet could be seen, while I spat a mixture of saliva and blood onto his face. His punches sure were hard. He actually drew blood. But I wasn't scared. Not really.

Haymitch puts his other hand around my neck, applying pressure. OK, maybe now I'm a little afraid, considering I can't breathe. He's cut off my wind pipe. Abandoned the glass and gone for his hands instead.

Haymitch was furious. No, that's an understatement. Absolutely livid. But so was I at this point.

Apparently so was Peeta, and he gave an outraged yell, tackling Haymitch off of me so I could finally breathe.

I stumble up, and I'm a little dizzy. I don't quite know what's going on, but I think I hear Effie's high-pitched voice, and some other new voices shouting. My head clears, and it's only then do I realise Peeta's helping me to a room. I look at his face and see his lip's split and bleeding. He immediately feel terrible, and reach out to him. But he stops me, and his face is full of concern.

When we get to the room, two Avoxes are waiting for us holding a First Aid kit.

"Uh, I think you're going to need a little more than that." I say, holding up my limp wrist and wincing.

A/N: Guys, you know how much reviews mean to me ;) Per review, I post a chapter! Good enough deal?