One Last Game -Haymitch Abernathy-

Chapter 9

Day three of The Hunger Games, and Amelia wasn't feeling any better. In fact, she felt worse. Katniss was smart, keeping herself fed early and putting out the fire before anyone could see. Thirteen were dead, making her tribute's odds that much better. However, Peeta was working with the Careers, and they were not loyal to him. They only wanted Katniss.

Peeta had to do what he needed to survive, and right now, this seemed like his best option. Katniss was showing her smarts, as Amelia hoped. Sleeping in trees and using a rope to keep her in place. It was a brilliant tactic, and nobody had thought about searching higher up. However, Katniss is three days in within out water, and it's starting to affect her. "Hey," Haymitch asks as he walks down the stairs. "How are they?"

"Alive," Amelia sighs. "Katniss is thirsty, and the Careers are using Peeta."

"So nothing new," he concluded. She turns to him, watching as he strolls into the kitchen. There was a fresh pot of coffee she made, and Haymitch pours himself a mug. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver flask.

"Seriously," Amelia rolls her eyes. "It's not even noon yet."

Haymitch turns to her, "I can't have a morning drink?"

"Your liver is going to fail with how much alcohol you feed it."

"Then it fails."

"Haymitch," she warns. He did not want to start an argument with her about this again. He would lose.

"Alright, alright," he took a singular sip of his drink before setting it down on the counter. "Are you planning on sitting here all day?"

"Yes?"

Haymitch ran a hand through his hair, "well. We aren't doing that."

"But, what if something happens?"

"The entire Capitol is broadcasting the show. We won't miss a minute." The older man walked towards her, "come on. We're going out."

"But," Amelia wasn't wearing nice clothing. Only a simple pair of old jean shorts and a T-shirt. "I'm not wearing real clothing. I need to change."

"Absolute nonsense," he grabbed her hand and yanked her up from the couch. "You look beautiful."

Amelia smiled, letting her head fall to the side. "You can't use flattery when I've already agreed to do what you want."

"It's not flattery, if I'm being honest." Haymitch's tone was serious, and it surprised her. "Come on, let's get out of here for a little while."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Amelia stared at the screen in the center of the Capitol, her eyes on Thresh, a boy from another district, as he ran around in search of something to eat. The Careers and Peeta were close by, but it looked like they would miss each other. Katniss had luckily found a pond and purified the water, allowing her to drink safely. "Here, Sweetheart," Haymitch handed her an ice cream cone.

"Strawberry," Amelia took the cone with a bright smile. "My favorite. You remembered?"

"Of course," Haymitch didn't have any ice cream for himself. She licked the cone, her eyes drifting from him towards the games once more. "You're going to drive yourself crazy watching them."

"I know." She did know that deep down. It wasn't healthy. But she feared what would happen if she looked away. What if when she looked back, they were dead? However, it wasn't as if she had the ability to stop it. One of them would most certainly die. It's how the games worked. Only one person walked out of that arena in the end. There were eleven kids left, and the odds were getting better.

Still, the odds were never in their district's favor. It almost always ended with a Career winning at the end. "How's the ice cream?"

"Good," and it was. "Do you want some?" Amelia moved the cone closer to him.

Haymitch chuckled but took the item from her. He took a bite before handing it back. "I'm not a strawberry person."

"Your loss," she licked the side again. To anyone else in the Capitol, sharing food was a ridiculous concept. Why share when there was plenty to go around? People in the Capitol could eat as much as they wanted whenever they wanted, and if they wanted more. Well, they had drinks for that. They'll make you vomit so you could start again. Typically that would be seen at parties.

A few feet away, a little girl stood by her mother, staring at the two. They were the only others in the walkway that weren't walking. Amelia locked eyes with the girl and smiled. Raising her hand, she waved at her. The girl giggled, waving back as she hid behind her mother. Amelia chuckled, taking another bite of her ice cream. Beside her, Haymitch watched the entire thing. "Do you ever think about it?"

She turned to him, "think about what?"

"Kids," his voice was faint. "Do you think about having them?"

Amelia glanced at the little girl again. Kids were never something she liked to think about. Sure, starting a family and living a happy life was a dream. A dream she used to want desperately. But having kids with the games felt selfish. They would spend years fearing for their safety, on top of life in District 12. It wasn't a great place to have a family. It was a sad, colorless district. "I used to," Amelia wanted to be honest. "Always imaged it. But," she looked back at the screen. "Seems selfish with the games. Plus, twelve isn't an ideal place to live. We both know that." Haymitch watched her carefully, and she forced a smile. That wasn't something she needed to worry about. Amelia couldn't have kids if she was alone. And who was going to love her? She came with a boatload of trauma from the games and her family. "Anyways, it's not like it matters. Can't have kids if I stay alone."

"You never know," Haymitch rubbed his hands together. "You have time."

"Time isn't really my issue." Amelia knew this was more information than he wanted. "But what about you? Have you ever thought about kids?"

"Please," Haymitch laughed.

Amelia stared at him, waiting to see if he would continue. He didn't. "Please, what?" He rolled his eyes, "I think you would be a good father." She meant that. Haymitch's only downfall would be his drinking, but he cared for others more than himself. He didn't respond. Instead, he slipped a glass bottle out of his jacket pocket. Amelia wondered how long he had it in there. "If you cut down on the drinking, of course."

Haymitch took a sip of his drink, slipping it back into his pocket. "Doesn't matter. Not with the games."

"Right." Amelia agreed with that. It just wasn't fair. She looked back at the girl, watching as her mother walked towards a man. He had a boy with him. He was a few years older than the girl. The couple kissed, happily embracing each other as their children began to play together. 

Amelia sometimes craved the naiveness of the Capitols citizens. They were so clueless as to what was happening in the districts. Their entire life was full of privilege. They never once had to fear for their safety. Amelia wanted that at times. To live like they did, naive to the real world.

Haymitch noticed the shift in her mood and felt slightly guilty for bringing the topic up. Since he met Amelia, she often got lost in her head. There was a great likelihood they would spend the rest of their lives working together. Training future tributes and then watching them die. He feared losing Amelia, as he did himself. The brightness inside of her was what often kept him going. Haymitch had no idea what he would do if she lost it. Amelia was always strong enough for both of them. "Come on," he put an arm around her waist. "Let's head back. I think Effie was planning a big dinner tonight."

"Yeah, sounds good." Amelia tore her eyes away from the happy family. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, pushing her feelings aside. The idea of having a family was not something she would ever get to have. It would always be a dream. And she had the games to thank for that.