Lynix and Haymitch have been best friends since they were six. The 50th Hunger Games has approached and this time they will have four tributes from every district. Even with the stakes higher, Lynix never would've thought that Haymitch would be chos...
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We stand in anticipation for the cannon to sound that signals the start of the Fiftieth Hunger Games. Phynix stands next to me, worrying as well. I pick up a strand of her loose hair, earning a strained smile from her.
The boom erupts through the room and the tributes are off. It's a complete bloodbath at the Cornucopia. I lose sight of Haymitch in the mess and I hope desperately he didn't try to go into it. When the dust settles, a total of eighteen booms are emitted and they list off the deaths on screen.
"Maysilee and Haymitch are okay!" Phynix says with relief. I join in, hugging her tightly. We may be prematurely celebrating but he's not dead. There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn, seeing Mrs. Abernathy and Ermon.
"Is Haymitch alive still?" she asks, wringing her hands. I nod, making a spot beside me for her and Ermon both. His eyes desperately search for his brother on the screen, his face crestfallen when he can't see him.
"You two would've made a good match, you know," Mrs. Abernathy says suddenly, looking down at her hands. "I'm sorry that couldn't happen."
I place my hand on top of hers. "He's not gone yet, Mrs. Abernathy."
The next few days are rough. Most of the more elite tributes are wiped out by a volcano eruption. Others find out that the food, water, or well, anything really, is poisonous in the arena. The only things that seem to be fine are in the Cornucopia. Luckily, now that there are over half the tributes gone, it's easier to get supplies. Easier, but still deadly.
The cameras focus on Haymitch, making my blood go cold as well as speeding up my heart. When they focused on someone, there was always danger nearby. As I predicted, three elite tributes corner him. I clench my fists, watching him fight them off. He takes care of the two but the last one disarms him.
As the knife goes to sink into Haymitch's throat, something flies through the air, killing his attacker. The cameras shift to a tall blonde.
"Maysilee!" I shout, being shushed by nearby watchers. She saved Haymitch.
"Do you want to form an alliance?" she asks after helping him off of the ground.
"For now," he replies gruffly, following behind her.
They set up camp, Maysilee tending to his wounds and providing food. The next few days go well for them, watching out for each other. I wonder if it'll come down to the two of them. The thought makes me choke up and I decide not to think about the end, focusing on what's in front of me. Haymitch is alive. That's all that matters.
"I don't want to go back!" Haymitch yells at Maysilee. Is he talking about the Cornucopia?
"Well, I'm going without you. Goodbye, Haymitch," she says, picking up her bag and walking off. Phynix looks worriedly at me and I mirror her expression. Together, Maysilee and Haymitch could survive. Apart...I'm unsure.
The games continue a few more days, the deaths tapering down. Then, there's a shift. The environment starts fighting back. The Gamemaker is getting tired and want this over, I'm guessing.
There's a loud high pitched scream that pierces through the room and my stomach drops when they focus on Maysilee. Bright pink birds are attacking her, all aiming for her throat. There's a wail in the room from her mother. Phynix grabs onto my hand.
"No, no, no!" Haymitch screams, running towards her and killing each of the birds. Still, he's too late.
"I'm...sorry," Maysilee utters out painfully and he grabs onto her hand, sitting down beside her. The light dims from her eyes as he stays with her. Taking two fingers, he closes her eyes, standing up. Before he leaves, he looks behind him.
"I'm going to win it. For us."
The next few days, every tribute is maimed by something in the environment, leaving just Haymitch and a female from District One. She seeks him out, wanting this to be over. I just hope he's ready. He's so close to coming home to us.
His knife slashes out her one eye but her ax swipes at his abdomen and I turn away to prevent myself from vomiting. When I look back up at the screen, he's holding his stomach, walking to the edge of the cliff. He falls to his knees, the girl coming up behind him with her weapon to deal the final blow. She misses, her ax falling over the edge. Haymitch smiles, ducking slightly as the sharp weapon comes back up and lands in her head.
"Haymitch Abernathy, from District Twelve, has been declared the Victor of the Second Quarter Quell!"
"What just happened?" I ask, my head feeling like it's underwater.
