Thank you for reading and for all your reviews, they've been so helpful and encouraging!
I do not own the Hunger Games nor its characters.
Chapter Forty-Six
I wait around in my room for almost two hours before Plutarch shows up. I'm not entirely sure what the protocol is once your tribute has won but all I want to do is go and check on Katniss and Peeta. Part of me is worried that the Gamemakers will kill Peeta in his sleep just to satisfy Snow.
When Plutarch walks in I pretty much bombard him with questions about Katniss and Peeta but he just puts his finger over his lips, warning me to be quiet. He leads me outside, talking about how successful the Games were until we reach a quiet street just behind the Training Centre. As soon as I'm sure that we're alone I ask him if Katniss and Peeta are okay, are they awake and, of course, if he's heard from Snow.
"They're both fine, although it looks like part of Peeta's leg is going to have to be amputated and replaced with a mechanical one." It's not ideal but at least he's alive, he'll learn to cope with a mechanical leg, I'm sure. "They're both asleep right now while the doctors work on them," Plutarch continues, "but Seneca Crane has been called to Snow's office and I'm doubtful that we'll ever see him again."
"I knew Snow would be pissed off."
"Yes so you're going to have make sure Katniss plays this star-crossed lovers thing until the bitter end."
"Of course," I reply. "That thing with the berries, though, it just shows how much we need her." Plutarch nods in agreement but he thinks it's best not to say anything to her for another year or so, her and Peeta are going to have a hell of a lot of attention on them for the foreseeable and seeing as she tends not to do as she's told she could risk the whole rebellion being exposed.
"There's already an unease in the districts, though," he says, "After they revoked the rule there were reports of people being very…treasonous shall we say. Snow has sent out extra Peacekeepers."
"Okay, I'll make sure we're careful," I say and we both say our goodbyes before heading off in separate directions. It's best for us not to stand around chatting any more than we need to.
I go straight to the hospital only to be told that I can't see either of my tributes as they're both undergoing a lot of surgery, particularly Peeta. One of the Capitol doctors tells me that they're planning on giving Katniss a breast enlargement to fit in with the Capitol aesthetic but I soon get in to a very long and angry argument with him, telling him that Cinna can do something with her clothes if they're that bothered. I know I'm meant to be keeping the Capitol happy but I refuse to let them alter a young girl's body just so that they can parade her around in their ridiculous outfits.
I spend the rest of the day discussing strategy with Cinna and Portia and signing off on their designs. The whole country is going to be watching Katniss and Peeta's every move from now on so it's vital that we start off in the right way. Cinna's designed some very innocent and girly looking outfits for Katniss, which completely contrast with the idea that she's killed children to be crowned one of the victors, but he's pulled it off.
We all agree that keeping Katniss and Peeta separated until we get back to 12 is the best; Katniss is likely to tell Peeta that their whole relationship was an act and who knows what could happen then. This is easy enough to do as I just tell the Gamemakers that showing their reunion on television is going to be far more entertaining than if they've already seen each other.
I spend the night thinking about what I need to say to Katniss, what she needs to do to keep everyone she loves safe. I don't sleep, of course, it's only when dawn is starting to break that I can feel myself dozing off.
At midday an avox comes for me and leads me down to the hospital so that I can see both Katniss and Peeta before the ceremony this evening where the highlights will be played and they'll both be crowned victors. By the way we're rushing through elevators and corridors I can only assume that the Capitol audience is getting tired of waiting to see the young love birds.
I'm led down a very clinical looking corridor where Effie and Cinna are waiting for me. They're already talking about what the people of the Capitol think of Katniss and Peeta.
"They've certainly got everyone talking about the Capitol's control over the Games," says Cinna and raises his eyebrows at me. I can tell that there's a warning in there.
"I still can't quite believe that we've won!" Says Effie, completely oblivious to Cinna's comments. "I mean after nine years of being an escort for District Twelve one starts to wonder if she'll ever have her moment on the stage!"
Before I can reply with a witty and scathing comment appropriate for Effie's ridiculousness I hear loud footsteps running down the hall and when I turn my head I'm pleased to say that I can see Katniss coming towards me.
Her skin and hair look perfect and she has no visible scars; no one would have any clue what she's been through.
To my surprise she runs at me and instantly wraps her arms around me. I suppose that the Hunger Games does strange things to you but I remember that same relief I felt waking up to see Titam all those years ago.
"Nice job, sweetheart," I whisper in to her ear, meaning every word of it. I need to tell her how much trouble she's in but now isn't the time. I can already see from her face that she has a hundred different thoughts whizzing through her head right now.
"Oh look at you!" Says Effie, patting Katniss' hair, "You really do look like a pearl."
Cinna doesn't engage in such nonsense but simply hugs Katniss and congratulates her, although I know that he realises how empty those words are.
"Where's Portia?" Asks Katniss, a tinge of despair in her voice. "Is she with Peeta? He is all right, isn't he? I mean, he's alive?"
"He's fine," I reply, "Only they want to do your reunion live on air at the ceremony."
"Oh. That's all. I guess I'd want to see that myself."
"Go on with Cinna. He has to get you ready."
They both leave and I ask Effie if she wants to visit Peeta with me which, of course, she does. The avox leads us back down the corridor and in to another room where Portia is fitting Peeta's suit. He, too, looks remarkably healthy considering the injuries he sustained, although he needs a cane to keep himself upright.
"How's that leg of yours?" I ask as I enter the room and a small smirk appears on his face. I bet the kid never thought he'd be getting ready to take to the stage as a victor.
"Fancy," he says, "But I preferred my old one."
I wonder if I should tell him about Katniss. I know she cares for him but not in the way that he does for her. Maybe he could handle it, he's just been through the Hunger Games, after all. And I hate lying to him.
"What's wrong?" He says. "Is Katniss okay?"
"Everything's fine, just keep up the good work," I say and turn on my heel to leave. I can't look at him without hating myself.
I go back to my room, grab a few drinks and get ready for the ceremony. I have no desire to sit through three hours of Hunger Games footage, I've seen it all over the past three weeks and I'm no rush to relive it. I may have got my kids home but that doesn't take away from how horrific it all is.
As soon as I reach the underneath of the stage I make a beeline for Katniss. There wasn't much time to talk to her before but I feel that she needs to know what's going on before she takes to that stage. She's impossible to predict, which makes her a liability right now.
I tap her on the shoulder and she jumps back, startled. I can't blame her for being on edge.
"Easy, just me," I say. "Let's have a look at you." She's wearing a yellow and orange dress that makes her look like a small flame. As if her fire is dimming. "Good enough."
"But what?" She says.
"But nothing. How about a hug for luck?" I can tell she's confused as she puts her arms around my neck but I can't really blurt out how unhappy Snow is with so many people around. "Listen up. You're in trouble. Word is the Capitol's furious about you showing them up in the arena. The one thing they can't stand is being laughed at, and they're the joke of Panem."
She laughs as if I've just told her something truly hilarious; she catches on quickly. "So what?"
"Your only defence can be you were so madly in love you weren't responsible for your actions." I pull away and adjust her hairband, "Got it, sweetheart?"
"Got it. Did you tell Peeta this?"
"Don't have to, he's already there."
"But you think I'm not?"
"Since when does it matter what I think? Better take our places," I say and lead her to the spot where she'll rise onto the stage. "This is your night, sweetheart. Enjoy it," I say and kiss her head because I'm not sure what else there is to do. I've done my best and now I can only hope that she plays along, too.
The anthem begins and Caesar warms up the crowd, whipping them in to a frenzy about crowning their victors. He then introduces Effie, who has the biggest grin on her face as her plate rises. Cinna and Portia are next and are greet by huge applause; their designs have become the envy of everyone in the Capitol.
And then it's my turn. For the first time since I won my Games I'm rising through the stage to screams and applause. I give a little smile and a wave but I'd rather be anywhere other than here.
"It may have taken him twenty three years to get a tribute home but when he does he does it in style!" Shouts Caesar, "Haymitch Abernathy will go down in history for being the first mentor to bring two tributes home!" This sends the crowd wild and I have to stop myself from laughing. If they think that I'm a success then they're even more screwed up than I thought.
I take my place on the stage and wait for Katniss and Peeta to rise through the stage and when they do they're reunion couldn't be more perfect. They run in to each other's arms and kiss for about ten minutes, I have to basically push them in to the small sofa that's been placed on stage for them.
We all take our places and are forced to live through the whole thing, again. It's strange to see the highlights showing a love story amongst all the blood and death, it's so jarring that I'm glad the audience can't see my face in the dim light. Amazingly, the producers have managed to make Katniss look just as in love with Peeta as he is with her. I suppose everyone is trying to gloss over the fact that Katniss made a fool out of the Capitol.
After they're both crowned by our awful president we are rushed over to President Snow's mansion to stuff ourselves with food and thank all of our sponsors, although I just find a corner and drink. However, I don't dare take my eyes off love's young dream just in case Katniss slips up.
When we get back I quickly push Peeta in to his room so that he can't talk to Katniss, much to her annoyance but I just tell her that she needs her sleep. I feel as if I'm getting ready to go back in to the arena as I'm so on edge.
Caesar and a small film crew arrive in the room the next day for the interviews and it's clear that Peeta isn't happy with me keeping them apart but I think Katniss understands that I must have an ulterior motive. If she's as calculating as I'm supposed to be then she'll get it.
The interviews go surprisingly well with Katniss saying all the right things to convince Caesar that she can't live without this young baker, although she does require some prompting from the Capitol's infamous interviewer.
When it's all over Katniss asks me how she's done and all I can say is, "Perfect," because I'm desperate to get back home and wait for the fall out when all is revealed.
When we get on the train I immediately pour myself a large glass of white liquor. I've got them both home, I don't have to curb my drinking any longer. Besides, I have a feeling that I'm going to need it more than ever.
In all the commotion and worry I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to everyone, to discuss Katniss with them and ask for some advice. I know I should be the one to tell Peeta but the guilt is too much. I can't handle decent people, they rub me up the wrong way.
The train stops for fuel and I can see Katniss and Peeta disappearing outside holding hands. I doubt she can keep this up for much longer now that we're out of the Capitol so I follow them, unsure of what to say. I can't have them falling out but Peeta needs to know.
When I catch up with them I can sense the tension so I put my hand on Katniss' back and decide to do the most cowardly thing I have ever done. "Great job, you two," I say, "Just keep it up in the district until the cameras are gone. We should be OK." I turn my head and walk back, unable to look at Peeta and my heart sinking deep into my chest.
I can't do this anymore, it's Katniss' turn to take some responsibility. She can be the one to tell him how we used him to get her home. She isn't perfect by any means so why should I have to deal with all this rubbish? She's so blind to his feelings that maybe now it's her turn to feel guilty instead of me.
I've got them home, that's all I was ever meant to do. I've done more, in fact. Maybe now I can just take a break from mentoring and concentrate on the rebellion. Next year's tributes have no need for me now that they have Katniss and Peeta. I can just spend the month in the Capitol getting drunk, guilt free. Yes, that sounds like a plan I can get on board with.