Scarred | The Hunger Games

20.

I cling to Haymitch, still silently crying whilst watching Katniss find water, beginning to purify it for drinking. 

"Doll?" I hate the way I don't flinch at the nickname coming out of her mouth. I begin to stand up, taking my leave before she could talk. "Nova- I just wanted to check on you, I know that your kids reminded you of your sister and your district partner-"

"Don't bother. You could have checked on me a few months ago when Otti was alive."

Johanna stills, some form of realisation swirling in her eyes. "No, you said he would kill both of us- you're just saying that to guilt trip me." She puffed her chest out, her voice wavering despite the confidence she poised. 

"I killed her. I did it, because he was torturing her, so I could have more time to convince you." My voice cracked, and I could see Haymitch's eyes flickering back and forth between Johanna and I, observing the situation.

Johanna rolled her eyes, "you-"

"I became like you, Mason. The ruthless, bloodthirsty Johanna Mason, killing my own family as you did yours."

Her eyes shifted from doubt, to rage. "Don't talk about them like that. I did what I had to protect myself."

"And that is exactly what you did. And I will never forgive you for that." I sneered at her. She scoffed, walking away as I collapsed back into my seat. 

There was a long period of silence, before Haymitch interrupted my thoughts. "So you missed Katniss, the girl on fire being chased by, well fire." He jokingly snickered, though I could hear the concern in his voice. 

My eyes flicker up to the screen, seeing Katniss move the fabric of her pants to try assess the damage. It's gnarly, and I knew immediately that she needed medicine, or else she would die of infection. 

"Haymitch, you need to go find sponsors right now. She's made a good enough impact on the Capitol, you need to tip the domino." I start shaking him violently, trying to sober him up a bit.

It takes a while, but eventually he does go out. But by time he gets back, I could tell he has no energy left in him. In conjunction to being an alcoholic, he's also very much an introvert, and hates the Capitol, so it makes sense he's basically asleep now. 

I grab the money, helping him send it out to Katniss, considering he's already passed out. If I said I sent the gift, Katniss would most likely be very suspicious - she seems like she's a sceptical person. 

'Stay alive - H'

When Katniss gets it, she applies it quickly, and by the next morning it was basically completely healed. She meets little Rue, a girl who I could see, immediately remind her of her sister. And I completely sympathised with her. 

***

The next two days had been uneventful since Katniss had passed out from tracker jackers. When she does wake, she teams with Rue, which I cooed at. The two did a lot of damage for the short time they were allied. 

Then, Rue got speared. 

Katniss covers her in flowers, putting the young girl to sleep, to peace. She was able to give Rue the amity that I was never able to Otto, given the circumstances, of course. It was truly heart-breaking and terrible. 

The moment Katniss receives a loaf of bread from, I knew the world would try turn the kid into a martyr of hope, and it scared me a little. She was just a kid, like the rest of us. 

***

"Seneca!" I ran up to him, trying to catch up to him. 

He nods in acknowledgement to me, barely slowing down as he begins to return back to the control room. 

"I was thinking, Katniss and Peeta-"

"Your tributes have fallen, what could you possibly want from two Twelve tributes?" He sudden stops walking, making my steps stutter a bit. 

I shake my head, "It's what you want from the two. A story, of young love. Your past arenas were very unique, so different, but this one, it's a little on the... basic side." I tilt my head slightly, playing into his male ego. "You know what you need this time? Romeo and Juliet, in your games. Something different. Something to take the spotlight off Katniss' prospect for hope, and one to make her a prospect for love."

***

It had been a few days, and Katniss and Peeta were hiding in a cave. They had announced that two tributes from the same district could be crowned victors, together. When they made the announcement, I winked at Haymitch, who tilted his glass towards me, saying 'nice one, Sharky."

The two had practically gotten together now, although Peeta was severely injured. Haymitch had sent some broth over to the two, trying to keep them in good health.

When they announced the feast and Peeta refused to let Katniss go, we had to get sleep syrup for Katniss so she could leave. There was a kafuffle at the feast, but she made it out. 

Another few days past, and only Cato, from Two, and Katniss and Peeta were left. There was a huge struggle, before they managed to push the Cato off the Cornucopia and into the mutts.

Katniss managed to mercy kill Cato, and Haymitch and I expected them to be crowned victors.

"The previous revision, allowing for two victors from the same district, has been revoked. Only one victor may be crowned, good luck. And may the odds be forever in your favour."

My head whips over to Haymitch, who bears the same shocked expression that I probably wear as well. "We-" I begin.

"Stop. Stop!" I whip back around, to see the two kids with nightlock in their hands. They were going to do a double suicide. "May I present the victors of the 74th Hunger Games."

I smiled, looking at Haymitch, who looked utterly shocked. "You did it, Haybitch. You got your kids out, alive."

He sort of lets out a shocked laugh. "Nah, I didn't do that much kid. You got them out alive for me."