Chapter Nineteen
Haymitch swore - loudly. On hindsight he should have asked Felix for more details but he hadn't. He hung up the phone with the single-minded focus of getting to her.
He stubbed his toe on a table leg in his rush and hopped around looking for the duffel bag he had carelessly thrown earlier. He wished Effie was here, she'd tell him what to do. Snatching the bag from the hallway, Haymitch slammed the front door behind him only to double back in a hurry to lock it.
By happenstance, he passed by Katniss who was walking home with her hands in her pockets.
"Tell Peeta to feed the geese. I got to – "
"Why are you in a rush? What's the matter?"
"I just gotta be somewhere alright. Effie.. I don't -" he broke off, shaking his head hurriedly and left Katniss on the street. "I'll call!"
He arrived in time for the 11.00 a.m train. It had just pulled into the platform when Haymitch skidded to a stop in front of the ticket booth, breathless and gasping for air. Once he boarded, Haymitch waited impatiently for the train to depart, shouting out of the window towards the conductor on duty when he had enough.
"Nobody's getting on anymore, move the damn train!"
"The train runs on schedule, not on your whim and fancy," the pudgy man retorted with a frown.
Haymitch growled in frustration but otherwise paid no more attention to the train conductor walking leisurely on the platform with his green flag.
He alternated between fidgeting restlessly and staring out of the window moodily with his silver flask in his hand all throughout the journey accompanied by terrible thoughts of what could happened to Effie. Half the day had gone by before he finally arrived in District Four. Stepping off the train, he stood erect in the middle of the platform as he tried to orientate himself to the unfamiliar surroundings. It was not how he remembered it from the last Victory Tour but it was expected – much of District Twelve had change, too, post-rebellion.
Annie's house was not near the train station that much he knew. Other than that, Haymitch had no inkling as to where she stayed and he resorted to asking a teenage boy with a pick-up truck for help.
"You know Annie? Small woman, about this size," Haymitch held out his hand to somewhere below his shoulder, "with a little boy named – "
"Sure I know her - the Victor. Finnick's wife."
"Yeah, yeah," Haymitch nodded. "Can I get a ride to her place? Urgent business."
XxX
Traffic moved slowly – the streets were choked with people walking about leisurely, laughing and talking without a care in the world.
"Come on," Haymitch growled in frustration, reaching over to honk angrily at the crowd. They threw him a dirty look but parted to allow the truck to cruise past them. The boy must have felt intimidated by Haymitch because he said nothing. "Do they have a death wish, walking on the streets like that?"
"It's a small street," the boy explained. "Besides, it's normal. It's the time of the year again."
"What time – oh don' t bother explaining. Just drive," Haymitch instructed, too distracted by thoughts of Effie to concern himself with whatever was going on in District Four at the moment.
"Mrs. Odair's house is not far from here – that one that's been painted sky blue – best if you get off and walk. Might get you there faster."
So he did as the boy suggested, finding no fault in his logic. Haymitch jostled and weaved among the crowd until he finally reached Annie's house and then he broke into a run, a singular thought occupying his mind.
Effie.
XxX
Annie's house was surrounded by brown picket fence. Haymitch had to walk all the way around before he reached the front gate since he came from the back. He did a double take at the familiar petite figure in a red layered sundress with a hand resting on the fence talking to tall, slender woman. Haymitch hurried along and came to a slow stop just outside the front gate the same moment the woman turned her head to see the newcomer.
She shielded her eyes against the sun's glare and squinted at him. "Haymitch?" Effie asked. There was no denying the astonishment in her voice; she was as surprised as he was.
Effie inched forward to unlock the bolt, swinging the gate inward to allow him in.
"Mitch?" her companion asked, stepping up next to Effie.
He recognised Johanna's voice but he barely even looked at her. All his attention was focused on his wife. When he had received the call, Haymitch had expected something bad judging from Felix's tone. While he tried not to let his mind conjure up images of Effie in various terrible state of pain or danger, he was not expecting her to be on the front lawn with the hem of her red dress billowing around looking as if she was about to go out and have a good time.
"What are you doing here? Don't get me wrong, you're allowed to be wherever you want but … I thought…"
The worn out duffel bag he was carrying dropped on the ground with a thud. He strode over to stand in front of her, his hands gripping her shoulders.
He shook her lightly. "What happened?" he asked in a strain voice.
"You're hurting me," Effie protested, pushing his hands off her. "Nothing's happened – let go, Haymitch."
He released his grip and dropped his hand before it fluttered up again to cup her cheek. He brushed her hair back, holding her an arm's length away as he raked his eyes over her, looking for signs of physical injuries, an act he seemed to be doing quite often lately.
Effie was startled by his rare display of gentleness which was in such contrast with the way he had gripped her in his panic. She covered his hand with hers, looking at him with a look of curious concern.
"Haymitch, are you alright?"
"Me?" he frowned. "You sure you're fine? That you're absolutely okay?"
Effie nodded slowly, still not quite understanding the picture. His eyes soften; the tense muscles under her hand began to relax ever so slightly.
"This is all very touching," Johanna's sharp voice severed the moment and as if he finally realized that he had an audience, Haymitch dropped his hand hastily and stepped back away from Effie. "But will you care to explain why you suddenly decided to drop in, Mitch?"
He cleared his throat; his eyes flickered from Effie looking at him questioningly and to Johanna looking considerably irritated as if Haymitch had just interrupted her in the middle of something important.
"Felix - Effie's cousin – called early this morning and – "
"Oh, that son of a bitch," Johanna exploded. "FELIX!"
She stormed up the stairs into the house and shouted for him. Effie and Haymitch exchanged a puzzled look. Despite the obvious relief, Effie could tell that Haymitch was annoyed; a muscle jumped in his jaw, his grey eyes were focused on Johanna's back as she angrily shouted for Felix. Haymitch took Effie by the elbow and guided her towards the house, trailing after the irate younger woman.
Felix appeared from behind one of the doors looking mildly irritated at the commotion. He pushed his dark hair away from his eyes, this time the ends of it glittered blue with strange blue highlights all over his hair. He was holding on to a mascara stick and glared at Johanna impatiently.
"Johanna," he drawled, "can't you see that I'm busy? You may not understand the need to keep yourself beau – Oh, Haymitch! Well, well, hello there, handsome."
He sauntered over to Haymitch but Johanna was quick to cut him off and block his way.
"You cheated," she hissed, putting her hand on Felix's chest to stop him. "You called Haymitch at District Twelve and you told him Effie was in some kind of trouble, didn't you?"
Felix had the grace to look affronted at Johanna's accusation.
"I did not cheat," Felix gasped.
"Then why is Haymitch here?" Johanna demanded. "Because I sure as hell haven't done nothing."
Felix smirked.
"Ah, I see what this is about. You're mad that I beat you to it. Does that answer your question then? I don't deny calling Haymitch but all I said was "It's Effie. You better come" and here he is," he smiled, gesturing towards Haymitch.
Haymitch frowned, trying but failing to keep up with the conversation. "What the hell is going on?"
"Felix, what did you do?" Effie asked, sounding tired.
"I didn't do anything!"
"That scumbag cheated is what he did!"
Haymitch pinched the bridge of his nose and counted to ten. "If one of you don't start explaining, I swear by my unborn children, you will regret –"
"I thought I heard your voice, Haymitch," the sweet voice that could only belong to Annie punctuated Haymitch's threat. Everyone turned to look at her as she transferred Finn from one hip to the other. "So which one of you won the bet?"
"I did," Felix answered smugly.
Johanna crossed her arms and stalked off to the corner of the room, glaring at Felix all the while. He rolled his eyes at her. Haymitch demanded to know what was going on but he refused to have it from either Johanna or Felix claiming that they were acting far too childish for someone their age.
Effie shuffled to the nearest seat, taking Finn by the hand and settling him next to her. Annie began talking, explaining to Haymitch about the Annual Family Fishing Carnival in District Four. It was one of the many post-rebellion events meant to gel the citizens of Panem together, to introduce each other's culture and way of life. It was open to everyone from every district but Haymitch had never been to one and with so many things going on after the Rebellion, this one slipped his radar. She told Haymitch how the men would bring in their hauls from the sea to be sold to the public at the most cheapest of price, the various programs that was held during the three days carnival - a fishing competition, a booth to showcase the woven by the locals and according to Annie, the best part was the singing and dancing held each night.
"Yeah, that all sounds interesting Annie but what's that got to do with anything," Haymitch said.
"Oh, don't tell him," Johanna groaned from her spot by the window.
"These two – " she nodded towards Johanna and Felix, "- thought it would be fun to see who could get you to Four. They heard Effie saying that it would be nice to have you around."
Haymitch glanced at Effie who turned bright red at Annie's words.
"You're not much of social person and they knew if they were to invite you over for the carnival, you wouldn't come. So they made a bet to see which of them have enough persuasion skills to convince you to visit," Annie said. "Whatever Felix did, it worked, apparently."
Felix grinned and took a bow, unaware of Haymitch stalking towards him. He grabbed the unsuspecting young man by his collar and slammed him against the wall.
"Do that again, Felix, and you'll see why I won the Quarter Quell," he hissed.
Felix gulped. He looked at Effie for help but she was content to sit back and watch him sweat a little. "I – She's not harm. She's fine. I was… it was just a bet, love, nothing personal. Won't do it again."
"Don't call me that," he said, releasing his hold on Felix the same time that Effie's small hand curled around his arm.
"That's enough, Haymitch," Effie said softly.
He turned to glare at Johanna.
"Sorry," she shrugged. "But I wasn't going to lie and tell you that Effie was in – "
"That was the only way I could think off!" Felix defended himself.
"I can't stand the sight of you two," he scowled.
XxX
Effie led him out of the house, hoping it would calm him down. They walked the short distance to the beach with Effie keeping close to him.
"Still angry?" she asked after a while. "You don't have to be so harsh with him, Haymitch."
"Harsh? He got off lightly. You have no idea the panic he put me through," he snapped.
"Alright, you're still angry, then," she stated calmly. "I'm okay, Haymitch. Everything's fine."
He nodded but did not say a word. Haymitch tugged her hand silently as they walked along the beach going further and further away from Annie's house.
"This… I don't think it's about the bet Johanna and Felix had," she voiced out. "You used to have bets with Chaff before, don't you? This is something more."
Effie stopped and because he was still holding on to her hand, Haymitch jerked to a stop, too.
"You don't understand," Haymitch said, his voice caught in his throat. "You're under my protection – you and the children. I can't – If something happen and I wasn't there to … It would be like them all over again."
He stared out over the sea, watching the waves lapping gently on the shore. Effie bit her lips, wondering how best to talk with him about it. She didn't need to ask who he meant. She knew he was referring to his family, the ones he couldn't save because he was powerless. His family had always been a delicate issue. He hated talking about them with her; a small part of him still felt that her people were accountable for what happened to his family. But if he was trying to protect her and the twins the same way that he felt he should have protected his family… Effie couldn't help speculating if he considered them a part of his family? It was too much to hope for so Effie tried not to dwell on it too much.
Haymitch steered her over to a large boulder, asking her to sit when he saw that she had gotten breathless. He looked at her curiously.
"Is that normal?"
"Yes," she affirmed. "Walking makes me breathless now."
"You should have said something."
"I'm fine… Just need a little rest," she reassured him. "Haymitch… About your –"
"I don't want to talk about it, Eff."
She fell silent. It was always like that with him whenever his family came about. Effie was curious about his family; she wanted to know what they were like, what kind of woman his mother was to him and his brother, the kind of wife she was and if there was anything Effie could learn from her but he never seemed to want to talk about it. They've been married for nearly a year – eleven months and 17 days, she counted the days – but she only knew his mother's name because she had asked Greasy Sae and even that made her feel wretched because she couldn't just go to her husband to ask him about it.
Effie brushed her hair with her fingers and tied it into a bun, frustrated with the way the wind was blowing her hair all over the place. Haymitch look amused as she struggled with the hair band.
"Will you stay?" she spoke over the howling of the wind. "Now that you're here, will you stay with me? Elias – that's my cousin, Felix's brother – he owned a resort here. He offered me a room but I didn't see the need before but… now that you're here maybe… It's the peak period now what with the carnival and all but I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Although, I have to talk to Annie – it might drive her crazy having Johanna and Felix in her house without me."
"Why's that?"
"You've seen them in the same room," she said. "From the first day they met, they can't seem to get along. There's always something they disagree about."
"I can imagine. Felix gets on everyone's nerves," he muttered darkly. Then he smirked. "Don't they remind you of someone?"
"Who? Oh, you mean us? We're not so bad, are we?"
"I send you here with Felix… Johanna?" Haymitch asked, ignoring Effie's earlier question.
"Oh, Annie informed her I was coming. I don't think her husband paid much attention to her so she was more than happy to be here to visit. She calls this a reunion … in a more favourable environment. Better than Snow's prison, was what she said."
If Haymitch did not like talking about his family, Effie had a strong aversion to the topic of her imprisonment and generally avoided talking about it. He could see how it made her uncomfortable even now. She wriggled her toes and then dug them into the sand before pulling it out, the sand grains slipping between the spaces in her toes. She repeated the actions, over and over.
"Stop," Haymitch said placing his hand on her knee, distracted by what she was doing.
"So, will you stay? I don't want you to do something you don't want to… Especially, since… given the circumstances on how you came to be here so it's perfectly alright if you don't – "
"I'll stay. You can stop rambling," he said. "Somebody needs to keep Felix in line."
Her face lighted up in a radiant smile. "Thank you! Oh, this is wonderful. We can go to the carnival! Annie promised it'll be fun."
Haymitch groaned loudly. "This is like a vacation I never wanted."
"This is like the honeymoon I never had," Effie laughed.
So Effie's safe :)
There'll be a little fluff in the next chapter and ... what's fluff without some problems, yes? But that's in the next two chapters, I think.
Anyway, do review! & thanks for reading.