𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄- 𝐇𝐀𝐘𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐘.

𝟓- 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐝.

The banging increased, becoming more impatient with every bang. I continue to ignore the bangs. ''Peony open the door, this isn't even funny.'' Haymitch shouts. I stumble the door. I stare at his desperation. ''Darkk's in the hospital.'' He states. ''What!'' I scream drunkenly . Darkk? He was perfectly fine, a sense of protection floods over. ''Where is he? What did he do?'' I scream.

''As I said before sweetheart, Darkk is in the Hospital, He broke 3 ribs.'' Haymitch remains calm. A spark of anger ignites within me, Haymitch must see this because he says: ''calm down sweetheart, he will be okay, before you ask, he fell in training earlier, he told no-one, it wasn't a career, sweetheart, he will be fine, just puts him at a disadvantage in the games.''

''Darkk is still in the games?'' I ask disgustingly. ''Yes.'' Haymitch replies. I start to sob. This boy has no chance, now he's broken 3 ribs, he won't make it a minute into the games. "It's okay sweetheart." Haymitch whispers over my shoulder.

After I stop hyperventilating, We both lie on my bed, my head nestled on his chest, his hand placed on my shoulder. ''How is he going to even make it one step?'' I ask. ''probably won't, but at least his suffering will be over quickly.'' He says bluntly. ''I suppose so.'' I whisper back. ''He's only a kid, Haymitch.''

''We all are.'' Haymitch says softly. I guess that's true, Haymitch was only 17, none of us were older than 18. ''The games are in 2 days.'' I sigh. ''Don't countdown the time, sweetheart. it makes it worse.'' Haymitch says. ''I know but-'' I was cut off by Haymitch's lips on mine. That giddy feeling comes back, the one with all the butterflies leaping in my stomach. Haymitch pulls away. ''To shut you up.'' He laughs. We both end up laughing. ''I should get going, sweetheart.'' Haymitch says softly.

''No, wait, stay with me tonight. Please.'' I ask half consciously . He comes back and we both snuggle in my bedsheets. It was morning before I was awake.

No nightmares, nothing. I turn my head round expecting to find Haymitch, instead I find nothing but a splitting headache. Where did he go?

I get out of bed and head to the living quarters. Elenia is talking with Haymitch, drinking coffee. Darkk lies on the sofa, sleeping. Excitement gleams in my eyes. ''He got out late last night, don't wake him, He's doing training today, the assessment and interviews later, everything.'' Haymitch says quietly. I nod.

''What's the time?'' I ask. ''About 6:30! Perfect time to be awake!'' Elenia exclaims, but puts her hand over her mouth, to stop herself waking Darkk. ''Too early.'' Haymitch grunts. ''Peony, come join us.'' Elenia whispers.

I walk over to the table that consisted of Priscilla, Haymitch and Elenia. ''Shall we talk about the interviews?'' Priscilla asks. ''Oh my gosh! My daughters seen your outfit! She adores it! Frankly, so do I!'' Elenia says in a hush.

''You have a daughter?'' Haymitch asks ignorantly, . ''Oh yes! She's 4, Her names Effie.'' She explains.

''Back to Peony's outfit, your coaldust outfit went down an icon in Capitol fashion! I simply couldn't believe it when the outfit I created was in the Capitol history books!'' Priscilla announces.

''Your dress will have an illusion that coal dust is flying across the stage. It is a huge, gown, the only down side is that it is semi-transparent.'' Priscilla whispers.

I swallow my anger, the whole of Panem will see me 'semi' naked. ''So, she's gonna be naked?'' Asks Haymitch outraged. Haymitch read my thoughts, I gave him a half smile.

''Semi, they won't see things like they did at the parade. '' Priscilla adds Haymitch still looked pissed off. ''At-least it makes an impression.'' I mumble. ''Exactly! I adore you logic Peony! What a bright girl!'' Elenia exclaims. ''I'm going to go get changed into my uniform.'' I state, attempting to avoid the conversation. After I return, breakfast was being served. "Individual assessment later, any idea what your gonna do, sweetheart?" Haymitch asks.

"I'm not sure, probably something with my axe." I shrug. "yes because you know all about throwing axes, don't you sweetheart?" Haymitch says sarcastically. I say nothing. "A full day if training with an individual assessment and an interview! That's a busy day!" Elenia blindly says, ignoring the aura of the conversation.

Training was hard, everyone talking about Darkk, what he did, the arena, endless gossip. It got to around 2PM and I was working with the survival skills for half the day, and then i spent time at the axe throwing station, the axe throwing station was much more enjoyable, I could justify staying there, it's going to help with my evaluation. "Can All tributes please report to the lobby to enable us to begin individual assessments." A projected voice announces. All I have to do is throw straight, nothing else. We all report to the lobby and sit in our assigned seats, I'm met with Darkk looking shattered. It's been about 45 minutes before they say. "Darkk Becker."

I walk in the cold dark room and shivers are sent down my spine. "Miss Damston, you may start whenever your ready, may the odds be ever in your favour." The head gamemaker says. I was conflicted, I had been practicing snares, or do I go throw axes? I settle on the snare idea, but as I was about to start, I impulsively went over to the weaponry section. I grab 4 axes and align the axes up with the dummies heart.

The first slice my axe made, made me cringe, however, I reground myself. My technique wasn't great, but I got the target, more then once. On my 4th and Final axe, as I release, I see Jackson, I just hit Jackson. I start freaking out, gasping and screaming. "Miss Damston, Are you okay?" The gamemakers project. there was about 4 more calls before I finally ground myself.

"Sorry, I'm done." I say, and walk out. As soon as I walk out that door, my hands meet my face. I just screwed up any and all chance of a decent score. oh my god, im such an idiot. I think, leaning up against the door. There goes my chance of sponsors, a disgraceful score would be coming my way. I shamefully make my way to the elevator, calling it impatiently. I spam my hand on the button several times in desperation.

I go up to the living chambers, and run to my room, avoiding everyone. I momentarily flop onto my bed, before making my way to the dressing table. I look at the unrecognised face that stares back at me in the mirror. I huff for a moment. I examine my smile, my unrecognised face. My eyes looked dead, and this was before the games. I place my head in my hands. The door was unclicked from the hinge. "Peony, are you okay, sweetheart ?" A hushed voice asks. "I totally freaked out at the assessment. I'm done for." I say, not bothering to take my head away from my hands.

"Elenia was totally freaked when you didn't come to see your training score." Haymitch says. Training score? I must've missed it. "Oh." I say with no interest to know what I received. It was this moment when I looked up for the first time that Haymitch was holding a bouquet flowers. An array of pink and purple flowers stole my eyesight.

"They are, erm, Peonies." He says awkwardly. I run over to him and hug him tightly. "Oh Haymitch, I love them." I whisper softly.
"I don't want to lose you, Peony." he whispers in my ear. I didn't want to lose him either. "I'm still here." I insisted. We stayed hugging until a knock on the door drew us apart. "Peony! It's time to get ready!" Elenia squeals. "I'll be right out!" I reply. "Is she ever not happy?" Haymitch grunts.