Haymitch was running lika a mad through the corridors in district 13. 'Emergency Meeting' was written on his updated shedule in his hand.
"A meeting! What the hell? What do they want to talk about at 1 a.m. ?"
Sure, he didn't even plan to sleep, but still.
Finally he saw the right door infront of him and quickly slipped behind it. Coin, Plutarch, Finnick. Beetee, Fulvia, Cressidal, Gale Boggs and Katniss were sitting around the circled table in front of the large TV.
"Oh, finally!' Exclaimed Plutarch standing up from his seat and pointing him on the chair next to him and Boggs.
"You could tell me about the meeting earlier, you know..." He mumbled sitting down on the chair.
"It's not our fault that you are always hanging around somewhere, so we can't find you." Said Plutarch crossing his arms on his chest.
"Enough" as alwasys so calmly spoke Coin indifferently looking on Haymitch. "So, now, when we're all here, I think we can start. About one hour ago they were iportent negotiaions over here. President Snow personaly made a contact with Katniss Everdeen."
"Really? And why didn't I know about it?" Exclaimed Haymitch and Finnick at the same time.
"There was nothing impornat for you to know. Only an ending, so here is it." Coin on left side and pressed a botton on a control panel. Screen light on and everyone saw Snow's face on it. There was a smirk on his lips.
"I hope we made ourselves clear, miss Everdeen. And please, make me a favor – tell your escortm that she finished her mission well. Goodbye miss Everdeen and may the odds be ever in your favor."
The screen went dark.
There is silence in hadquerters. Haymitch looked at everyones' shocked faces with lack of understanding. He replied Snow's speech in his head.
Effie...
"At the moment, miss Trinket under the guard." Coin was the first to break the silence.
"No!" He screamed, jumping from his seat without any thinking.
"Sorry?" Coin raised an eyebrow.
"No." he repeated chencking teeth. "I'm sure it's a mistake or a trick. Can we talk face to face, please?"
"For what? Talk now and here or don't talk at all."
"Okay, well." he looked around at the presents. "I'm sure Snow didn't mean what you all thinking or... This is a trick. Effie just can't be a traitor or whatever..."
"How can you know it?" Squinted Coin.
"I just know it, right? She is not the one who can do this and she halped us from the very beggining."
" This is basically showing us, that she could send all the information to Snow."
"No!"
"Abernathy, you're just spending our time for nothing. You can't prove that Euphemia Trinket is not guilty."
"Yes, right. I can't. But, please, I'm asking you to listen to me, only once. She didn't send any information to Snow, because if she did we might all be dead, but as we all know the bombs attack happen only one time and it's basicaly failed."
"How can you be sure? Maybe next attack is planned on... let's say tomorrow?"
"President Coin, she is not guilty." He insisted.
"Miss Trinket did..." He didn't let her finish.
"Ok, let's begin from that: She is not miss Trinket anymore."
"What do you mean?" Chorus asked Finnick, Katniss and Plutarch.
"It've been two years or even more since she is missus Abernathy."
"What are you talking about?" Coin's face for a second was surpriesed, but then tuned buck on "don't care" mask.
"I'm saying that Euphemia Trinket or rather Euphemia Abernathy is my wife. And I'm a hundred precent sure, that she's not guilty, and I'm taking all responsibilities on myself. She did a lot for me and this revolution. I do believe in her and I can tell you, Snow is lying, I don't know why does he need it, but I'll try to understand as soon as possible."
"All right, but note for yourself, that I will keep my eyes on you and her, and if something will happen you wouldn't have time to even say a word, because we will execute you and your Capitol girl. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." He replied pressing his lips in one line.
"Good." she nodded.
"The meeting is over. Boggs, Plutarch and Fulvia, I beg you to stay behind. And, yes, let miss Trin... Missus Abernathy out." She addresed to one of her soldiers in a doorway.
For some more seconds Haymitch couldn't stop staring at her, but then abruptly turned and ran out of the headquarters as fast as he could, pushing away Finnick, Gale and Katniss who tried to ask him abou Effie.
"Go to hell. If I would be in right mood next time I will answer your stupid questions, but now, let me go." He aaded tempo moving to the way of medecine and jells compartment. In ten minutes or less he was in the right place and infront of him he saw the soldier who was sended by Coin.
"She's coming." He said, watching Haymitch in the doorway.
"Fine" He exhated.
"Shit, I can't expect the fact that she is my wife would save her from starings, but anyway... What was that for? Whats in Snow's mind? I don't deny that Snow could know about our relationship with Effie, so maybe he was trying to make a conflict or whatever, but it wasn't what he expected. Coin took a risk and believed me. But this is too queerly. All of this..." While Haymitch was thinking, the door opened and Effie entranced the room with two guards on the sides. She was looking down at her feet and her hair covered her face, but he could see a bruise on her hand. They didn't just throw her in the cell. There were two options: she was tortured or they just beaten her. Neither one, nor tho other option he didn't like. Haymitch clanched his fists in rage and moved towards the woman.
"I'll report to Plutarch what she was able to. You can go." He growled, hugging Effie's shoulders. She shuddered because of his touch and looked up with eyes full of fear.
"Haymitch." She whispered, wrapping her hands around his neck.
"Hey, sweetheart, it's ok." He whispered back, stoking her hair and noting that she hasn't got any more injury apart from bruise and cracked lip, still he should check in better later.
"I thought..." Her words changed on sobs.
"It's ok, let's go." He wrapped one hand around her waist and guided her to the exit.
"Sweetheart we're fine now. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you, do you believe me?"
"I do. Haymitch, they told me why I've been arrested... and I'm... Do you trust me? I don't understand why does Snow need it, but..."
"Hey, relax! I trust you, i didn't even doubt for a second." He shaked his head.
"But someone may think..."
"Effs, i trust you. Contrary everyone. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you, I promise. Never."