Lily Juniper Abernathy: The daughter of an alcoholic victor (book 1)

Goodbye daddy

I was led by Jairo- I didn't know his second name- the guy who owns the tailors. He was the guy dressed as a peacekeeper. He was the guy gripping me by the shoulder and taking me into the Justice building museum. We were such a small population to have a tourist attraction. It used to be where tributes went to say goodbye to their loved ones before being shipped to the Capitol for training: now it was a monument in every district, with a plaque naming every one of the deceased. We were lead through the hall of victors.

"I want my mommy and daddy." Rosie mumbled, noting their picture on the wall. I took a second to glance at the picture of my dad at just fourteen and the one beside it of him just after I was born. I wanted my daddy too: and Finnick- I needed his reassurance, his smile and his humour to try and reach some form of optimistic revelation.

"Girl on fire." Roise read still looking at the things on the wall.

As we were led through to the curator's office Rosie tugged my sleeve "My mom is the girl on fire, so what does that make me?"

I shrugged "Dunno?" I replied

My dad is an alcoholic: what does that make me?

"I think it makes me..." She paused thinking "Like the girl with who is also on fire, but not as big of a fire?"

"Right okay: that's you then?" I giggled

She grinned at me. I was glad she seemed happier- or she was until we were separated into different offices. I was in the cleaner's. My mom came in "They've told me you are allowed to take something in with you- a token."

I didn't care about that "Where's dad?"

She shrugged "I don't know baby?"

I felt a million un-cried tears fill my eyes: I never cried, the tears were bottled and now they were pouring out.

"Oh! Lily! It's not real honey! Your dad is just, you know, being himself!" She mumbled, wiping my tears.

Jairo come in, dropping his peace-keeper hood "Haymitch is here- wants to talk to her alone?"

My mother, to my surprise, agreed "Momma'll see you in a few days baby?"

I nodded "Right." A few days- I'd still be alive, I'd be fine. I'd lose but it did not mean I would lose my life.

I hugged my mom tightly "I love you."

"Oh...I love you too."

"Bye mom."

"Bye baby-" She smiled "Try and show those people who did that to your legs that you're still my little fighter?"

I chuckled "Yeah okay?"

My dad came in and sat beside me, slipping his arm around my shoulder "You alright sweetheart?"

I nodded "Yeah, I'm practically a sitting duck so I'll be back in 12 in no time."

He nodded "You need a token?"

"So I've been told?"

He gave me a small necklace with a pendant in the shape of a butterfly.

"What's this for?"

He paused and mumbled "It was my mom's"

"Oh...Dad it's amazing."

He nodded "So was she."

He slipped it on my neck "You'll be alright kid?"

"Yup- can you get something from home for me?"

He drew some hair away from my eyes as he nodded "Alright?"

I muttered what I wanted and he smiled "Consider it done."

"Thanks-"

I was interupted as the door clicked open

"You got a minute, then we're taking you off?" Jario called

I nodded "Okay."

My dad turned to me and as he hugged me he mumbled "Don't let them break you sweetheart."

"I won't." I giggled "Dad, I'll be okay."

"I know, I love you Lily."

"I love you too daddy."

His smile went crooked and he mumbled "See you soon?"

"Yup."

He chuckled "Try not to show your old dad up 'kay?"

"Agreed.- try not to show me up in case they interview and you have one of your drunken ' I love my litle girl' moments please: it's embarassing?"

He smiled "Done."

There was another knock on the door. It opened "Time's up."

I grabbed hold of my dad "I'm scared."

"Don't be- just do what I said and you'll last a while: might even win..." He grinned "Imagine that kid?"

I shrugged "Most likely not."

"You'll be okay.

"But what if I'm not?"

"Haymitch you have to go?"

"CAN IT JAIRO I'M TRYING TO RE-ASSURE MY DAUGHTER!"

Long story short, he was dragged away screaming my name.

A few tears ran down my face "Goodbye daddy" I whispered in my head.