Sorry this has not been updated in a while. The Olympic trials really had my attention. Just think what my attention span will be like when the actual Games come on. You probably won't hear from me at all, lol. Well, once again, thanks for reading. Please leave a comment on your way out; I really enjoy reading feedback!

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Chapter Eleven

During Haymitch's attack, Effie didn't breathe. It's not like she didn't want to, she just physically couldn't force her lungs to take in air. Once it was over, and Maysilee saved Haymitch, Effie sank against the coach gasping for air.

"Effie," Aria reprimanded. "Manners, please."

I can't help it! She yelled back in her head. For whatever reason, Effie was invested in Haymitch. He had to win; he just had to.

Effie watched as the two got up from their resting spots and continued onward. They walked for hours, leaving Effie to fall asleep on the couch. She woke up sometime later when she heard the rumblings of thunder.

It was raining. Raining in the arena.

She watched as the two carefully held their palms out to collect the water and tentatively brought their hands to their lips. They slowly drank the rainwater, smiling at its refreshing comfort.

And then…nothing. Nothing happened. No cannons, no gagging, no one was dropping dead.

Maysilee tore her bag from her back and dug the two water bottles out. She held them open to the rain, trying to collect as much water as possible. Haymitch held his mouth open and palms in the air. He copied Maysilee and took out his water bottle.

It was clear to see the cool rain was a relief for both tributes. For Haymitch, it gave him the chance to cool his body after the rough beatings and heavy exercise. For Maysilee, it was the chance to feel clean after showering almost two weeks ago.

The rain soon dwindled leaving the tributes soaking wet. Neither minded.

Haymitch quickly gathered his items and began to move forward, but stopped when Maysilee was not behind him.

"We have to keep going," he said. "We can't stop."

"Why?"

"This arena has to end somewhere. It can't go on forever!"

"What do you expect to find?" Maysilee questioned, tentatively looping her arms through her bag's straps.

Haymitch shrugged. "I don't know, maybe something we can use."

Maysilee followed Haymitch, unsure of what he had planned. To be quite honest, he wasn't sure either.

Effie watched as the two walked for a few more hours until darkness was at its thickest. Haymitch led Maysilee to the brush where they made a small camp. They split a granola bar before making plans to sleep; Haymitch offered to take the first watch.

Boom. Boom.

The faces of two fallen tributes flashed in the sky: the boys from five.

"Just three," Effie heard Maysilee whisper.

Neither Haymitch or Maysilee looked at each other. They just mumbled their good nights. Soon enough, Maysilee was fast asleep, leaving Haymitch to keep guard. He stared into the darkness, carefully listening for any intruders.

Haymitch listened to the wind pick up nearby leaves and rustle the trees up above. He heard the sounds of nearby bullfrogs and hoped they weren't poisonous. He glanced over to Maysilee and watched her shiver.

Effie watched as Haymitch quietly shrugged off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. This small gesture took Effie back: it's something a mother would do to her child. Then it hit her:

These kids are no longer kids. Their innocence is shattered. They will never be the same.

Effie watched the Games for the rest of the night. Nothing else happened and it was clear that Haymitch didn't have the heart to wake Maysilee up. He let her sleep until the sun was visible in the sky. She then woke her up, split a meal bar before leaving their spot and continuing on their trek.

After hours of walking, they finally reached their destination: a plateau. Haymitch followed the plateau and peered over the edge. It dropped straight off; nothing but the dark abyss for miles.

"That's all there is Haymitch," Maysilee said from behind him, not caring to look over the edge. "Let's go back now."

"No," he stubbornly answered. "I'm staying here."

He turned around to face her and saw her eyes water. They stared at each other for what seemed like the longest time.

"All right," Maysilee said, barely above a whisper. Effie turned the volume on her TV up to make sure she could hear every word. "We may as well say goodbye now. We don't want it to come down to the two of us anyways."

Haymitch nodded and struggled to find the words to say goodbye — for good. By the time he said the words out loud, Maysilee was out of sight. He looked down to his hand and saw that she slipped a granola bar in his palm.

Effie felt a couple tears slide down her cheek. She quickly wiped them away while Haymitch walked back over to the edge of the plateau. She watched him kick the ground in frustration. Soon enough, he was smiling.

Great, he's lost it, Effie thought.

Effie watched as he picked up a large stone and threw it over the plateau. Haymitch's back was turned towards the camera so she couldn't see what happened, but whatever it was, Haymitch found it to be hilarious. He kept laughing and shaking his head.

He's really lost it.

Before Effie could think anything else, a scream cut her off. At first she wasn't sure if the scream was coming from the penthouse, but she saw Haymitch spin around and take off running towards the sound.