The Untold Story Of Effie Trinket and Haymitch Abernathy

The Later Years

*5 years later....*

"Hurry Effie, we start in 2 minutes."

"Sorry... I'm just so nervous."

"Yeah, well don't be." the director says bluntly.

"Oh, okay then" I say as I'm rushed onstage and handed a microphone.

There are bright lights and plenty of people. Then I see him, Haymitch Abernathy, the one and only.

"Um... Hi everyone, I'm the new announcer and escort for district 12... So I guess we will begin with ladies."

I walk over to a very large glass bowl and draw a name, call the name, then I draw one from the boys, call it. I can't help feeling bad for these people like I did for Haymitch.

"Ladies and gentleman! Our tributes from district 12! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be EVER in your favor!"

Why did I say that? I hadn't heard that sentence since Haymitch had written that on my poster! That seems like so long ago. I walk back into the Justice building.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey sweetheart." The voice was all too familiar.

"Hello Mr. Abernathy." I say a little too formally.

"You've...changed a lot since I last saw you." he says in shock of my appearance.

"So have you..."

I knew he couldn't be sober, he reeked of liquor and his own filth.

"So... You're the new escort and announcer?"

"Indeed I am."

"Would you like to come back to my place?"

"No, I really should be going..." I turn and start to leave when he grabs my arm and pulls me close. That's when he vomits and passes out. I rush to get a medic and then a new outfit.

~~~~~~~~~~

I still have to help the tributes. But who is the mentor?

"Well hello again sweetheart!"

"Oh my god! Are you kidding me?!" I say as I rush to my room where I can finally be myself.

~~~~~~~~~~

I come to greet the tributes but I see Haymitch has already begun talking. I take a seat next to Haymitch.

"Hey sweetheart."

"Hello again Mr. Abernathy." I say trying not to make eye contact. I listen to them talk. Every once in a while I see Haymitch look at me. I try to act like I don't notice. Its hard trying to contain my feelings for him.

~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night there's a knock on my door.

"Yes." I say in a very formal voice.

The door opens and I see Haymitch.

"What do you want Haymitch?"

"I just want to talk."

"Okay, what about?" I say as I stand up from my plush bed.

"I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

I already know what he's going to say, about Maysilee and his girlfriend in district 12.

"I shouldn't have lied..."

"When did you lie?" I say not actually knowing what he was talking about.

"At the interview with Ceasar after I won the games. When I said I had a girl back home, I lied, my stylist said if I loved a girl in the capitol, they would keep me from you! I didn't want that to ever happen."