The 2nd Quarter Quell must have been riveting. With double the tributes, the deaths were lethal. Haymitch knows to play the games smart if he wants to get back to his family, friends, and his girl. This story is a fan account of how the 50th hunger...
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I thought the pounding in my ears was deafening when the Quill was announced, compared to now it was almost silent. I cannot even comprehend that my feet are guiding me to the stage. I finally turn to my girl who is sobbing and clutching her head in her hands. A small flame sparks in which there is hope that someone may volunteer. That hope quickly vanishes when I recall that no one volunteers for the games in 12. My feet hit the withered structure of the Justice Building and I stare at my girl as I realize I will never see her again after this. The second tribute is called and the four of us shake hands. I'm guided back to a private room in which I am given an hour to say my goodbyes. My mother and little brother walk in first with tears in their eyes and I can't find words to say. My mother grabs me and holds me like I have the potential to burst into sand and fall through her fingers. Moments pass and my brother pries our mother away. He jumps into my arms and tells me that everything is okay. "You always have a chance, Haymitch. There is never any telling of what can happen in the games" he states. I want to believe in his optimism but 12 is no victor producer. I smile at him "I will put in great effort". Although I am lying to him, I feel a sense of hope that I could see them again. As quick as that hope builds, it disappears. I would have no hope to win this even if there were 24 tributes let alone 48. I have no chance of winning, but I won't let it show for my family's sake. After some time, peacekeepers enter and whisk my family away. Once they leave I realize who I have to face next. My girl walks through the door and I see her puffy eyes and shaking hands. The feeling of despair racks through me and I don't know how to face her. "I'm so sorry" is all I can repeat. She moves her head up to face me and breaks into a sob. "Don't you ever be sorry for this Mitch. This is so far from your fault." She states with a hint of authority. "I will try and come home, I swear I will try" I state even though there is no chance I could win. I grab her face and brush my thumbs over lips. She leans in closer and gently kisses away any fear and sadness. "Promise me you wont hold onto me forever. If I don't make it back, you have to move on" I plea to her in hopes she will listen. "I won't let you go Mitch" "Promise" I cut her off. She looks at me with a desperate look before slowly nodding her head. The small gesture brings relief. I cannot bear the idea of her holding onto my ghost when I die in the games. I don't have much time with her but I savor every tiny second. The peacekeepers enter once again and pry her from my strong hold. "I love you Mitch" she screams as she is drug out of the stuffy room. "I love you more" I immediately yell back. Silence envelopes the room and I fight back the tears that threaten to spill over. I keep telling myself to not cry and let the Capital win. They won't make me break. My best friend Tye Strilla enters and the slight shake of his head tells me he doesn't know what to say. "Who would have thought?" I state in a joking manner to lighten the mood. Tye chuckles in his typically cool state. "Who would have thought?" he repeats. I know he can sense that I don't want to talk about today's events, so he just sits. His company is more than I can ask for and brings me peace in a day full of fear and tears. After the visit has to end he grabs my shoulders and shakes me slightly. "I believe in you Haymitch." And with that he leaves.
