Thank you, again, for reading Haymitch's story! I hope you like the chapter and I welcome any and all feedback, enjoy!
I do not own the Hunger Games nor its characters.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Walking around 12 isn't the prettiest sight but we don't have many options. The meadow on the other side of the fence is strictly forbidden and so the only pleasant walk you can have is through Town and down to the square.
As Vieve and I near the square my stomach starts to tighten; they're already erecting the stage and positioning the lights for tomorrow's Reaping. The whole district seems to be avoiding the square, it's as if they think they can avoid tomorrow's events and the loss that two families will feel. Nothing can change that, of course, but I understand.
"Just think, when you get back from the Games it will almost be our one year anniversary," says Vieve and kisses me on the cheek. I know she's trying to make me feel better but she'll never be able to. She'll never be able to fully understand the pain I have to go through every year, although, it has got easier over time but I'm pretty sure that's because of the white liquor.
We continue to walk through Town, stopping in a few of the shops to buy some groceries. Everyone we encounter seems to be avoiding my gaze; I represent their children's death as much as the Reaping does. I feel like a monster that children hear about stories, no one wants to believe in me but they're scared at the same time.
As we leave the butcher's I almost knock over Herma, who has a firm grip on a two year old Chester. He has dark eyes like his parents and so much brown hair on his head that I can't quite believe it. This may be the worst day of all for me to bump in to them, especially as Vieve hasn't stopped talking about babies for the last three months or so.
"Hello, Haymitch," says Herma. "This a friend of Mummy and Daddy's, Chester. Say hello."
"Hewwo," says Chester with a big smile.
"Hello yourself," I say, "Herma this is my wife, Vieve."
Herma's eyebrows shoot up, "Oh, hello. I knew you were together but…congratulations!"
We both thank her, I felt bad for not letting them know about our secret toasting last year but that would mean getting in contact, again. I see them once every couple of months in Town but we tend to just walk in the opposite direction. It's easier that way.
"How is Drake?" I ask.
"Daddy mad, Mummy mad!" Says Chester and both Vieve and I have to chuckle at him.
"He means we had an argument, that's all, but Drake's fine, thanks."
Nobody spoke for a moment; there is so much to say, yet, once it is said a huge can of worms could come spilling out. Faking niceties is the extent of our relationship now so I ruffle Chester's hair and say goodbye to them both.
"I wonder if our kids would have dark or red hair," Vieve says as we walk away.
"Vieve, I know where this is going. We decided not to have kids, remember? You know they'd be Reaped."
"You say that but maybe it isn't fixed, maybe-"
"Stop! I don't want to talk about this."
"Fine. Talk to the air, then, I'm going home." She lets go of my hand and virtually runs out of Town and back towards Victors' Village. I should run after her but I'm in no mood for an argument right now, I know I'm right and she should, too.
I turn on my heel and walk through the Seam, heading for The Hob. If Vieve wants to sulk then I'll show her how it's done. I march in to the giant hall and order a bottle of white liquor, drinking it so quickly that my head feels woozy. I order another and spend the rest of the day fading in to a drunken blur.
I finally stumble home early evening to find Vieve sitting on the sofa, stitching a skirt or something. She looks up at me as I come in but just scowls before telling me I can sleep it off in one of the guest rooms. I don't think I've ever seen her so angry.
The next morning I wake up to the smell of coffee and toast filling the room and soon realise that Vieve has placed a tray of breakfast on the bedside table next to me. She's even put a fake flower in a vase for me.
She sits on the edge of the bed and gently strokes my face. "Are you okay?" She asks.
"Yeah, just a headache. I'm so sorry, Vieve, I know I-"
"Don't apologise, I shouldn't have brought it up, I know how worried you are about today." She kisses me on the lips and tells me she's going to head over to her parents. We agreed that it would probably be best if we arrived at the Reaping separately due to the many cameras that would be present but we'll say goodbye properly at the train station.
I eat the toast and drink the coffee before making myself look a little more presentable. What I really need is a drink so I allow myself a small glass of white liquor before heading to the square.
I don't pay any attention during the Reaping, my eyes are fixed on Vieve and her parents who are standing the crowd, holding on to one another. That's what I want to be doing right now; holding on to Vieve. It's only when the whole sorry thing is over that I realise I have two very scared fourteen year olds to mentor this year.
I meet Vieve at the train station and hug her for as long as I can, the thought of not being with her every day for weeks is killing me. I wish I could just hide her in one of the train carriages.
"Just think of me," she says, "And stay strong. Those kids might not be coming back but I'll be here, okay?"
I nod and kiss her goodbye before retreating to the train and its various wine selection.
The journey to the Capitol is as fraught as ever; I have two kids who are shaking with fear and Marsella just refuses to shut up. Of course, neither of them have any combat skills nor an idea about how they want to approach the Games so I just tell them we'll talk in the Capitol.
I've become so jaded by the whole thing now that I'm starting to wonder if I even care if they live or die. I never thought I'd say that but it's true; I just don't want to be here. I've been doing this for seven years and not one of my tributes has come home.
Titam's face suddenly flashes in to my mind, I have no right to moan when he did this for over forty years without once making a scene about it. I still miss him, even though I don't talk about him a lot these days. I wish that Vieve had got to meet him, I think they would have got on really well. I wonder if all victors live in the past as much as I do or if I just think about it so much because of what's happened to everyone I loved.
When we reach the Capitol I head straight for one of their infamous bars. I should go to the Sponsorship Room but I know there's no point; the best thing that can happen to those kids is that they have a quick death as soon as possible. Making them suffer for weeks only for it to end in torture would be ten times worse.
"Isn't the Opening Ceremony in two hours?" The barman says to me, taking away my empty glass.
"Yeah, you're right, you know," I say, "You're a smart man." I stumble out of the bar and through the streets of the Capitol until I reach City Circle and make my way to the Victor's Box.
A few of the victors are sitting around chatting but not all of them have arrived, yet. I can see Chaff, Seeder, Mags and Beetee, an older victor from 3, all crowded together in a corner. They seem to be laughing at something when Mags spots me and gestures for me to go over.
"I've been looking for you everywhere, where the hell have you been?" She says but with a smile that makes the whole scenario unnerving. Clearly she's trying not to act annoyed with me in front of everyone else. "Never mind, I can smell you. Go and eat something, Plutarch is going to be paying a visit, soon."
"So these guys know, too?" I say, indicating Seeder and Beetee.
"Yes! It's amazing what you miss when you spend years consumed with alcohol."
I ignore Mags' tone and go over to the banquet table, loading my plate up with bread and cheese. To be fair, I know that Mags is right but I just don't want to admit it. Planning a rebellion requires a lot of people and a lot less drunks.
Plutarch enters the room about ten minutes later and starts talking to Brutus about his plans for this year, which Brutus is eating up. He's so violent, I bet he can't wait to see all of those poor kids get ripped apart.
I walk back over to our small group and, eventually, Plutarch follows.
"Sorry about that, I have to pretend to be here on Gamemaker duty," he says to us all.
"So what's up?" Asks Chaff.
"Actually, I've got some news that Haymitch isn't going to like."
I can feel everyone's eyes lock on to me and my blood runs cold. Why am I being singled out all of a sudden? "What is it?"
"I'm afraid that Snow knows about your wife."
"You have a wife?!" Mags almost screams but manages to keep her voice quiet enough that no one else notices. Chaff and Seeder are both sharing her look of bewilderment whilst Beetee seems completely nonplussed.
"It's not official," I say, "I'll explain later. How did he find out?"
"I'm afraid I don't know but we have to be careful. I doubt he'll do anything to hurt you as you do not have the following in the Capitol that you once did." I should be hurt but it's true and I don't even care, I'm just worried about Vieve.
"But what you're saying is that we need to keep…umm…our alternative views to ourselves for a while?"
"Yes. I'm sure in a year we can press on but, for now, Snow may be keeping his eye on you."
Plutarch lets out a roar of laughter before walking away and making conversation with the other victors.
"I'm so sorry," I say to everyone. "I didn't think he'd find out."
"Hey, you're in love, don't be sorry," says Chaff and hands me a glass of wine.
"I can't believe you got married!" Says Mags, "Were you ever going to tell me?!"
"Yes, it happened after the Games last year so I haven't had the chance!"
And rather than lecture me about my foolish behaviour and how I'm damaging the fight against Snow they all congratulate me and demand to know every little detail, especially how Vieve and I aren't officially married. So I tell them all about how she surprised me and how brilliant the last year has been. I just hope it wasn't all for nothing.