HAYMITCH

25 days had passed since I had left Peeta. Everything was the same except for one thing. Leila. I was getting used to spending part of my days with her. I had to admit that she wasn't a completely bad person, a little nervous and somewhat shy but she wasn't that bad, well, as long as I avoid hot topics like Snow, Capitol, rebellion, etc. Otherwise I'd end up with a headache from listen to her

I started to get to know Leila a bit, she was quite talkative when she got comfortable and it was easy to have a conversation with her. She didn't ask too much and always listened. I had learned from her that she didn't like her district, she found it gloomy and sad. Whenever she said something like that, I bit my tongue not to start an argument with her.

However, when I asked her how she had met and what was her relationship with Plutarch, she avoided the subject. There was no point in insisting, I had learned that when I didn't push her, she was more willing to trust me. It's not that I would seek her trust, but I did want to know the reasons for many of the decisions she had made in the past.

She also told me that her father was the town butcher before she won the games. She had two younger siblings, one younger brother than her by two years and a younger sister of 4 years, when I asked her about her mother, she avoided talking about her. But about her sister she told me everything, it was obvious that she was her favorite person in the world. When I asked her if she hadn't tried to meet them here, she told me that the hospital prohibited visitors, and she was fine with that because her sister was too young to be in such a place. I didn't tell her anything, but I considered that rule to be most absurd and strange, I suspected that Plutarch had given the order for her not to receive visitors.

I had also realized that she was someone complacent and not combative at all. Every time a nurse called her attention for a meaningless reason, she just nodded and didn't refute anything. She was also someone always willing to help, something that irritated me when I was the object of such attention. Since I still had the withdrawal symptoms, on many occasions she would find me with my head stuck in the toilet, with tremors or fever, and like that time, she came to take care of me, which irritated me but she ignored my complaints.

It had been a little over a month since I was in the 13th district. According to the doctors tomorrow I would be released and assigned a room of my own. I had negotiated with Plutarch not to have to share space with anyone.

"Hello Haymitch" Leila entered my room. "Here, I'll save my dessert for you" She handed me the pudding. This was almost a ritual, at least once a day she would come to my room and give me her dessert. I didn't feel bad about receiving it, after all I knew she wouldn't eat it and more than once I had caught the nurse complaining about Leila's eating habits, she called her ungrateful whenever she could, and well it was true, the the girl didn't eat much, it seemed that she lived by eating air. Although a couple more kilos wouldn't hurt her.

"Ready for surgery tomorrow?" I asked.

"Yep, the doctor said that this last surgery would have a faster recovery. if I followed his instructions at most one week I would be discharged and then I would have to follow some therapies to strengthen the muscles" she spoke without breathing. "and you are happy to leave tomorrow?"

"I'm not going to deny that having more privacy is something I miss" she looked at me guiltily and said nothing.

Unexpectedly a soldier burst into the room, startling us both.

"Plutarch sent me to make sure you see this" he said as he turned on the TV in my bedroom.

I was surprised to see Peeta. He was alive and did not appear to be injured. Caesar Flickerman was interviewing him about what happened in the arena. I have to admit that what he said about me hurt me, but he was right, in a way I had betrayed both of them. He was calling for a ceasefire, something that wasn't going to go down well with the districts. But it didn't matter, I could convince the higher ups that they were forcing him to say those things. If Peeta was alive, there was still hope.

Once the transmission ended, the soldier withdrew from my room. The silence took over the room. How fortunate that tomorrow I could free myself from this white cage. I didn't care if Katniss hated me, I would force her if I had to, to be the Mockingjay to save Peeta.

"Are you okay Haymitch?" Leila wondered doubtfully

"Yeah"

"is good news, isn't it? Peeta is fine. You see Haymitch, he also thinks the same, this war is useless, we have to stop it before things get worse for everyone".

"Don't be naive, now more than ever we have to fight, Leila."

"but Peeta, he said..."

"repeating what Snow forces him to say, just like you"I cut her off sharply before she continues with her nonsense.

The next few days of Peeta's interview were quite busy. Apparently seeing the boy had been enough to convince Katniss to be the face of this rebellion. After smoothing things over with her, we agreed on one goal: to save Peeta. I hadn't seen Leila since that day, I supposed that by now she should be recovering from her surgery. Anyway, I had bigger priorities to attend.

Yesterday we returned from District 8. It was a desolate scene to see, only destruction remained. I was wondering what Leila would think after seeing these images at the propos that Cressida and her team were preparing. I felt the jalopy vibrate in my hand, they wanted me to go to the control room. Plutarch had given me a wristband with advanced technology so he could call me when necessary, so he wouldn't waste time sending someone over.

When I arrived, Coin, Fulvia, and Boggs were gathered, the latter had a bandage on his face, he had been injured as a consequence of Katniss's disobedience. Apparently the communication team had finished their work and wanted to show it to us. I sat next to Plutarch at the big square table. To his left were Fulvia, Coin in the center and Boggs in the opposite corner. Suddenly Gale and Katniss arrived, she also looked crushed by yesterday's hustle and bustle. I was waiting for this meeting to end to cross a couple of words with her for disobeying me. Gale took a seat next to Boggs, and Katniss, irritating as usual, decided to stand at the far end of the room by the door.

Everyone except Katniss was looking at the plans and other notes, scattered on the table, that Fulvia was presenting to us. Suddenly we heard the door open and slam shut. I felt a cold go through my body, when I saw a not very happy Leila who, with scalpel in hand, had, once again, trapped Katniss. Although unlike in the arena, this time Katniss didn't seem scared but rather amused by the situation. Of course, what an irony it would be if she now died after all the work it took to save her and convince her to be the Mockingjay. We were all frozen in our seats.

"What do you think you're doing, Miss Brightlock?" Coin spoke furiously.

" I think, Mr. Heavensbee, that you have major security flaws. Perhaps you should rethink your scheme." Leila said coldly without taking her angry gaze off Plutarch. Gale and Boggs snapped out of their stupor and immediately got up to help Katniss. Gale started to get closer but Leila stopped him " be careful boy with what you are thinking to do, today I have reached the limits of my patience" Leila warned.

"Leila, you don't need to do this" Plutarch said.

"Apparently yes. This is the only way to get attention and I know how much you like shows Mr. Heavensbee" Plutarch shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

" and you have it now. Let Katniss go so we can talk calmly" Plutarch tried to reason. Leila shook her head and looked at Boggs and Gale. "Okay, okay, I understand. Boggs pass your gun to Gale, and Gale get out of the room, wait outside. Boggs sit down no need to panic" he ordered

"but what are you doing, Plutarch?" Fulvia said fearfully.

"We're just going to talk quietly, so there's no need to have weapons here. Right, Leila?" she agreed. But Gale didn't move a muscle.

"Just do it Gale, wait outside" Katniss told him wearily. Gale left the room reluctantly. Leila, with her free hand, locked the door and released Katniss.

"You have our full attention Leila. But you should drop the scalpel. We don't want anyone to get hurt" she denied. "tell me why are you here?

"You know why I'm here Mr. Heavensbee."

"ah I see, maybe you've talked to your father?" he asked and I noticed some nervousness

"No, because from what I heard, you forbade it. And I can't stop wondering why? And the only conclusion I come to is that you are lying to me and they are not here" she said with contained rage, still holding her weapon firmly.

"But what are you saying, silly girl?" Fulvia intervened indignantly "I, myself was in charge of the mission and we got your family safe and sound from District 8. Instead of being here bothering us, you should thank us. If it weren't for us they would be dead with all the bombing the district has suffered since the games ended" she finished her speech smugly. The girl looked at her in disbelief.

"She's right, Miss Brightlock" Coin said. Leila relented, reaching out and handing the scalpel to Katniss who took it and tucked it into her pants. We all breathe a little more relaxed.

"So what is happening Mr. Heavensbee? Why did you give the order for me not to see them, and why did you give the order to delay my surgery? I heard the doctor say that you wanted me to stay in the hospital for as long as possible" Leila said dismayed. This was new, I didn't know that Plutarch had given those orders and now that I looked at Leila's leg, she was leaving a bloodstain on the floor. She had most likely been operated on yesterday or early today, and she shouldn't be standing here.

"I was just making sure of your well-being and peace of mind, Leila" he told her sweetly. But I didn't believe him and neither did Leila.

"I've asked about Kai and Lara's family, and no one seems to know them. Are they in another location?" Plutarch was silent and stared at her. " Are they in district 8?" Leila asked desperately. He stared at her for a long time.

"You know the answer to that, Leila" Plutarch finally answered. The tension was breathed in the room. The girl seemed not to react to Plutarch's words.

"It can't be" she said in a choked voice. "Are they in the Capitol?"

"Not Leila and you know it" Plutarch said seriously. She started to deny frantically with tears in her eyes.

"not true, he had no reason to do it"

"Yes, he had one."

"No! I did everything he asked me" she said pleadingly and tears began to shine in her eyes "all these years I never disobeyed him, I did everything he asked me! absolutely everything he ordered me! I never failed" she said hysterically

"But you did fail, Leila" Plutarch said, resting his eyes on Katniss. Leila followed her gaze and met Katniss's downcast gaze. She widened her eyes realizing her mistake. Tears rolled down her cheeks

"That wasn't part of the deal" she said, whispering with a broken voice, incredulous of Plutarch's words. None of us had moved a muscle, we were all absorbed in the exchange of the two of them.

" It was all part of the deal, Leila, but you were too naive and didn't realize it" Plutarch told her sadly." What happened in the arena was so unexpected that I didn't have time to do anything for them".

"how?" she asked

" It doesn't matter anymore, Leila".

"!BUT IT MATTERS TO ME! " Leila shouted, upset.

"Lara's family was executed the same day you let Katniss go and Kai's family was flogged and hanged in the public square the next day" Plutarch blurted out.

"The children too?"

"All died".

The room stayed silent. I could see guilt in Katniss's expression, but there was only one to be blame, Snow. Plutarch began to absently pick up the objects that were on the desk, without taking his eyes off the girl, how strange all this was. Who were these people that the brat cared about so much, she never told me about them. But the strangest and most incredible thing was that her family came out of all this alive. Why didn't Snow kill them first? Leila turned to leave but she stopped abruptly, I think she came to the same conclusion as me.

"How is that possible, Mr. Heavensbee? Why didn't they take my family first?" she said confuse

Plutarch ignored her for a moment and slowly got up. I knew he was hiding something.

"Leila, there are things that can get out of my control" he began to say in a reassuring tone, while he took more things from the desk. I could tell what he was doing, he was pushing away the blunt objects, whatever he was going to say to the girl, she wasn't going to take it well. His actions did not go unnoticed by either Boggs or Katniss, both of whom I saw tense up.

" It is fortunate that we have a network of allies throughout Panem miss Brightlock, and in district 13 we recognize when someone helps us, when you decide to put down your weapons, we set out with our allies to get your father and brother out alive as soon as possible. Just as the soldier Everdeen has joined us, you are also welcome." Coin intervened. She wasn't going to waste the opportunity to remind Leila that she was in debt to 13. However, Leila's eyes widened in horror and she looked back at Plutarch. He moved away until he touched the wall. The atmosphere in the room dropped.

"My brother and father?" Leila repeated horrified "Where is Milly?"

"Leila, let me explain" council Plutarch

"Where is my sister Plutarch?" she hissed.

"An unforeseen event arose, even before you made the decision regarding Katniss, your mother disappeared with the child. The person I trusted, who was taking care of the girl, was found unconscious that day. No one saw the girl leave the house, only your mother" Plutarch said hastily.

"Snow has it? Is she dead?" she said fearfully. Plutarch didn't reply for a long time.

"I don't know" he said in a whisper. That's when I saw Leila's face transform, from fear to intense hatred, as fierce as she was in the arena Leila lunged at Plutarch. Maybe she didn't have any objects within her reach but she didn't need them, she managed to land two blows before Boggs and I managed to get her away from him.

"!You damn son of a bitch!… I kept your secret, I should have sold you to Snow when I could… She was only 4 years old and you killed her… I trust you, I put her life in your hands… NO!, don't touch me" Between screams and desperate cries, Boggs managed to sedate Leila. It didn't take long for the medical team to arrive and take her away. A doctor stayed in the room to check on Plutarch's injuries. A busted lip and a black eye. He was lucky that Leila wasn't in her best condition, and that it didn't cost us much to restrain her, otherwise he would have had worse luck. Everyone in the room was shooting questioning looks at Plutarch.

"What was all this about, Plutarch?" Coin asked irritated.

"Something I expected to happen sooner rather than later" he said resigned

"She was part of the rebels?" Katniss asked, confused. Plutarch laughed bitterly.

"No, she would never do something like that."

"What is your relationship with the girl? From her words she was well informed of your double agency" I dared to ask what intrigued me for some time. He heaved a resigned sigh before answering.

"I met Leila a few years ago, just one year after she won her games. Her popularity on Capitol was overwhelming, and I knew she had just the right motivation to hate Snow. So, I had the idea of telling her about my plans and maybe she would agree to be an infiltrator and I even dreamed that she would be the face of the rebellion " everyone in the room looked at him open-mouthed "I decided to get closer to her, earn her trust" he shook his head remembering something

"but she did not agree to help you, right? She didn't want to be part of this" asked Boggs. Plutarch shook his head.

"And if she had the motivation to do it, as you say, why did she refuse?" Katniss asked.

"Because Snow managed to do with her what he couldn't with you, Katniss. He completely broke her. Right now I could have Snow gagged in front of her, give her a gun and I'm sure she wouldn't be able to shoot him. The hatred she may have for him is outweighed by the fear she feels for him. I'm not going to give all the credit to him for what he achieved, since he had the path paved when he met her" A chill ran down my spine, I didn't want to imagine how he had managed to break her."I tried it for a few years, I talked to her about the possibilities of a rebellion and everything without being explicit about what I was talking about, and well, she's not stupid, she understood the message. When I thought I would achieve something, her sister was born and any spark of rebellion in her, died. Then she asked me not to talk to her about my "crazy dreams" again or she would report me to Snow. So, I took a step back and didn't try anymore. However, a few months ago when the quarter quell was announced and I was also put in charge of her training, things were not going very well. The plan was that Cecelia would be elected at the reaping and Leila would volunteer, this would gain her the favor with the Capitol even more, with the aim of eclipsing the popularity of the tragic lovers of 12 a bit. But during training she began to withdraw, to be afraid, and began to talk about if there was a way for Snow not to force her to go. I know she wasn't threatening me, but it wouldn't take long for her to come to the same conclusion as me. Giving Snow valuable information like my undercover work. So to save my skin, I used the ace that would get me out of this. I convinced her and promised her that even if she got herself killed in the arena, I would make sure that her sister was safe. She believed me because she knew I had the necessary connections to do it, and I didn't lie to her when I promised her that, I thought I would save the child, but I didn't count on her negligent mother disappearing with her even before Leila made up her mind not to kill you, Katniss. What I had to do was necessary, there was no other way. I've been planning this moment for years, I couldn't allow a crazy girl ruin everything" Plutarch finished speaking. I couldn't believe it. The poor girl had been deceived and with what was most precious to her. Her reaction didn't surprise me, Plutarch deserved it.

"And what was the point of having her deceived, all this time?" I asked.

"I didn't tell her before to not hurt her, and because I hoped to find them. And well, I also wanted to do it in a safe place, I was sure that she would slit my throat as soon as she found out the fate of the girl. But well, my infiltrators have almost assured me that she is not in the capitol. It wouldn't make sense for Snow to take a child. He couldn't take her out on television without earning the rejection of at least half of the Capitol. So the chances are that she and her mother were killed in the bombing of District 8."

"I have a doubt, Plutarch, why was the only target being the girl and not her father and her brother?" Boggs asked and Plutarch sighed sadly.

"It's not up to me to answer that, I can only say that Leila lived with the enemy, and she never wanted to see it."

" Enough of stories! I warned you that if the girl did anything against a citizen of 13 it would be your responsibility, Plutarch. Miss Brightlock will be kept in a cell. "Coin snapped. Leila's story hadn't moved her and even more so when Plutarch confessed that the girl would never be of help.

"Leila didn't hurt anyone from 13 and well, her reaction against Plutarch is understandable" Katniss defended her to my surprise. Coin held Katniss's gaze. This was not something that our president liked. Again Katniss contradicts her.

"Very well, and then what do you propose?" she said with a false smile. Katniss shrugged, not having an answer.

"Find her an occupation and keep her on probation" I suggested. Silence invaded the room for a while until Plutarch intervened.

"It seems reasonable to me. In any case, Leila is not a danger to anyone but herself. This was something I expected, and as our Mockingjay said, an understandable way to react" Plutarch said, downplaying it.

The communication team arrived and with that the topic about Leila was over. They showed the propos they made, congratulated each other and we went on to the next topic. We continued like this for a couple of hours until the meeting ended. Katniss ran away as soon as she could, but she wasn't going to get rid of me so easily, I knew she was in the hospital. I wasn't wrong, when I got to her room she was asleep, I didn't care, I would wait until she woke up and I would make it clear to her that I would do it the next time she decided to take off her headset and not listen to me. While I was waiting they brought her her food, as I knew she wasn't going to wake up I ate it. Once we were able to talk and I made my point, I left.

I passed in front of Leila's room and stayed at the door. She was crying and I saw that they had her handcuffed to the bed. With enough freedom of movement to move in bed but without being able to get out of it. I wanted to go in and tell her something but I didn't know what. I just stood there for a moment watching her. I couldn't deny that I felt sorry for her, it couldn't be easy for her to find out that she had lost her beloved sister, her mother and the other people Plutarch mentioned. I decided that it was better to leave her alone.

While in my room, I reflected on the events of the day. I couldn't stop thinking about Leila. I had been in the same place 24 years ago, when Snow killed my girl, my little brother and my mother. Nothing had comforted me then and even today it was a wound that was still open. Maybe I could do something for her but I didn't know what. Until I remembered what Plutarch said, he wasn't sure of the little girl's fate. I knew that the communication team had taken shots of the people at the 8th district hospital. I could ask them to lend me a copy and show Leila, maybe she could find her sister. But I didn't know if that would be a good idea though. Leila had proven to be quite naive and even gullible. I didn't want to give her false hope.

The next day, since they didn't need me anywhere, I went to Leila's room. When I arrived nothing much had changed, she was still handcuffed and crying. I started to regret coming. I wasn't good at this, I didn't know how to comfort anyone. I sighed and steeled myself and entered. Trying not to use a brusque tone, I spoke to her.

"Hi Leila, how are you?" I wanted to hit myself on the head as soon as the words left my mouth. What a stupid question. I braced myself for a scathing or sarcastic response. But she only answered me with silence. She wasn't even looking at me, her arm covered her face. I tried it again "I don't know if this will help but I thought it was better than nothing. The team in charge of communications lent me the recording that we made 2 days ago in your district. They recorded in the hospital and well, I thought that maybe you could identify someone among the people who are there" I finished. It took her a few minutes to react, she removed her arm from her face and I saw her eyes red and swollen from crying.

"There's no one left alive in the hospital anyway, right?" she asked me with a shaky voice. I wanted to lie to her but she had already been cheated a lot and she didn't deserve it.

"No, the building fell on top with the civilians inside and the fire invaded the whole place." More tears rolled down her cheeks. "if you don't want to see it, that's fine, I understand"

"No, I want to see it" in a low voice she answered me. I Take out the screen and activate the video. "wait! You can rewind the video a few seconds" I swallowed, while I did what she had asked me "stop it there!" she begged me. Then she started crying more.

"It's your sister?" There was a bony-looking girl at the bottom of the screen.

"No, it's Ally, Milly's best friend. She is dead right?"

"Yes" I confirmed. We kept watching the video and when Leila recognized someone we would do the same thing again, stop the video, she would cry and then she would ask me if the person was dead. It was as if she still couldn't take in anything she was seeing. When there was nothing else to see, only the smoke rising from the hospital, we fell silent, only interrupted by her sobs. I needed to get out of here, I couldn't bear to see this scene "I'm going to return this. I'll come back later if you want" she didn't answer me, she just curled up in bed to cry.

I took my time. I really don't know why I offered to come back, she wasn't my problem. But I remembered the times when I was sick and she helped me, against my will of course, but well the brat was kind. I just wanted to return the favor. Although this was beyond me, I couldn't deal with my own feelings to comfort others. Near the end of the morning, I had the courage to go back.

When I entered her room, I found her in the same position in which I left her. I was speechless, I didn't know what to tell her, the best thing would be to give her her space. If I were in her place that is what I would want. Suddenly a nurse came in with Leila's tray of food, slammed it down on the table, and headed for the exit. I realized that she had left the food out of her reach, Leila was tied up, even if she stretched as much as she could she wouldn't reach the table.

"Wait a minute, you're not going to leave the food like that. She can't reach her, she's handcuffed" I told the nurse seriously, stopping her.

"How was I supposed to know, if this ungrateful woman doesn't speak?" she gave me a bad look, she barely moved the table closer to Leila and left. This was not an accident, this was intentional. Most likely she hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. This made my blood boil, what an unfair treatment for the poor girl.

"Sit down, Leila, eat something" I said softly.

"I'm not hungry"she answered me in a small voice.

"That can't be true, you haven't eaten anything in like 2 days maybe?" She shrugged her shoulders. I moved the table closer to her with the tray. After a few minutes she sighed in exasperation and sat up. I wanted to pass her the plate of stew but when I took it I noticed that it was frozen, I touched the food and yes, the food was indeed cold. Gross.

"It's not good manners to put your hand in someone else's food" Leila "scolded" me, although it sounded more like a soft whisper.

"Do they always give you cold food like this?" I asked her, ignoring her comment.

"I don't care" she said with a shrug. What the hell? These people were doing it on purpose, I never got cold food while I was here. Of course, Leila was not well liked here so they punished her where they could. But starving her was cruel. It made me angry that she just accepted it without complaint.

"I'm gonna return it and ask them to bring you a new hot plate!" I told her as I took the tray.

"No, please!" She said pleadingly "let it go, I already told you I don't care, you'll only make things worse" I put the tray back on the table angrily. She began to take bites of her food without making a face. In the end she didn't eat much, well, almost nothing. An hour later I was surprised to see Plutarch here and he was surprised to see me too.

"What a surprise to see you here! Haymitch" he greeted me

"I was going to see Katniss and decided to make a stop" I lied to him.

" Well, how is our Mockingjay?"

"Same as always"I said sarcastically and he laughed. Then he noticed Leila's presence. She was shooting darts at him with her eyes

"Leila I have come to talk to you, things did not end very well yesterday and I wanted to fix it"

"How are you going to fix it, Mr. Heavensbee? Are you going to bring my sister back from the dead?" Leila spat at him. I preferred this Leila to the passive one.

"We still don't know if she's dead" Plutarch replied as if he were talking to a child "I'm still looking for her, you know, hope is the last thing we should lose" he told her animatedly. What a nerve of him. That was why he had come this far in the Capitol. Leila didn't answer him but I knew she was furious. He continued "I have managed not to take you to prison, you will only be on probation. I know that this doesn't mean much to you because I know that you won't do anything that deserves to be sent to prison, right?" Plutarch received total silence as an answer. He moved uncomfortably due to the girl's intense gaze. "Well, not being more, I'll leave you alone"

When Plutarch reached the door, Leila finally spoke.

"You are always so wise Mr. Heavensbee, you always know what to say and have an answer to everything. However, remember that time, of many other times, when I was in your apartment and you told me some very wise words "inaction makes us as guilty as those who cause harm to others"?" she paused and Plutarch lowered his gaze."I remember you at every party organized by Snow in my honor" she said sarcastically "you just watched me and had fun. I hope that every time you dare to look me in the face, you remember your own words" she blurted out with hate in her