We go straight into training the next day.
"You and Katniss should split up to find people you want as allies," Peeta tells me as we go down to the Rec Center.
I grin. "Just what I was thinking. You might be cut out for mentoring after all."
Peeta chuckles. "All of the other mentors were talking about it at breakfast. But thanks for the nice thought." We reach the door, and he waves goodbye as I walk through.
Chaff and I already know we can get along well, so we tackle stations together. We both pay attention to the other tributes. Of course, that's been my job for the past twenty-four years, but some of these people are so old that they won before I was even born. I need to know what they can do. And by them, I mean Mags. She seems like a kind woman, to volunteer when she can't even walk correctly anymore. I've already made up my mind about the others. Seeder, the woman from Chaff's district, automatically strikes me as a good choice. But honestly, I'm hesitant about working with anybody. They wouldn't be able to depend on me, because as soon as they do, I know I would leave them. Just like I did to Maysilee Donner. However, Katniss and Peeta insist on getting allies. So when we're eating later and Katniss tells me her choices (Beetee and Wiress from District Three, Mags, and Seeder), I don't argue.
"You know the District 3 people are a laughingstock to the others, right?" Peeta asks me.
"I don't care," I reply. "You didn't see them win. They're the smartest ones here, as far as I'm concerned."
He shrugs. "If you say so. You know more than I do."
A few days later, we line up for our exhibitions before the judges. Katniss and I sit for nearly three hours before my name is called.
"Good luck," she mumbles.
"Eh. What's the worst that could happen? Nobody's received a zero. I'll be good."
I walk in to see the Gamemakers eating and laughing. Surprise, surprise.
"Haymitch Abernathy, District Twelve," I tell them. Luckily, I don't have to get their attention like Katniss did last year. They hear my name and suddenly, all eyes are on me. I'm somewhat of a legend here.
Last time, I used a combat robot to show my fighting skills. They gave me a 9. Right now, I decide to throw some knives. I used to be able to aim without fail, but age crept up on me. After doing it so much in practice, I think it's my best chance at the moment.
I face the target, breathe deeply, and throw. The first few knives hit the target, but only on the edges. My last throw is a perfect bulls-eye. I feel like cheering.
Oh yeah. Haymitch is back, baby.
I meet with Katniss and Peeta later to talk about our performances, and I can't believe what she tells me. She made a noose and tied it around a dummy, which she labeled "Seneca Crane". As in, the Head Gamemaker who was just executed.
"You did what?" Peeta and I scream in unison.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" I ask her. "Now they'll have no choice but to give you a 12, and every tribute will come after you."
"I see why you did it, Katniss," Peeta says. "I would've painted a giant picture of Rue, you know, with the flowers you put on her. It's just that… you're bringing even more danger upon yourself. You just decreased your chances of living through the Games!"
"Better me than Prim," she responds. For the second time, I can respect her caring heart. I nearly forgot the courage it must have taken for her to volunteer in her sister's place. And she's always talking about ways to keep her family and friends alive. I have to admit, she did a much better job in the Games than I did. My prediction turns out to be right: she receives a score of 12. I get a 10. Suddenly, I'm right alongside Peeta. We have to save the Girl on Fire.