The 50th Hunger Games, Second Quarter Quell

Chapter Sixteen

Haymitch woke up and felt numb. Completely numb. He opened his eyes to dim orange lights and a hospital bed. Around his bed were his Mom, his younger brother and his girlfriend. Haymitch drank them all in with delight and with draining energy. He was exhausted but he felt better than he had in weeks. They had all changed. His Mom had dark bags in her eyes, Coleen was really skinny and Anth had grown taller.

"Haymitch... Oh, baby, I'm so proud of you." His Mom hugged Haymitch gently. He patted her back.

"It's so good to see you, Mom. I never thought I would see any of you again." Haymitch's eyes were filling with tears as he hugged his brother, Anth and his girlfriend, Coleen.

"It's good to see you too, honey. You've been really ill."

"You did amazing, Hay! That thing with the forcefield like kaPOW!" Anth started to demonstrate scenes of the Games. Haymitch watched, half in amusement, half in fear. This is what the Games did.

"What's wrong with me?" Haymitch asked.

"Malnutrition, dehydration, exhaustion, internal stomach bleeds, concussions, broken rib, few scars and few bruises." Coleen listed off, taking Haymitch's hand as she spoke.

"Not to mention they literally had to take you straight from the arena to surgery because your intestines were falling out." Haymitch's mother retched at the memory. Haymitch glanced down at what he was wearing. Traditional white hospital gown. He peeked down his gown but there was no proof anything had ever happened. He had no scars, no wounds, nothing. Completely healed. He did have needles sticking into his arms, two to be precise. Then there was a machine monitoring his heart and he had an oxygen nubs in his nose. The machines on the wall behind him made quiet beeping noises.

Examining himself closely, Haymitch could see his nails were perfect, his skin was radiating healthiness. He ran a hand through his hair and it was clean.

"They had to prim you up before we got to see you." His Mom said. She seemed annoyed at that fact. Haymitch smiled.

"At least I look good in my hospital gown."

"That you do." Coleen agreed, pressing her lips to Haymitch's temple.

"How is life back at the Seam?" Haymitch asked. He wanted to know everything he had missed.

"Nothing has changed. They had a District party, courtesy of the Capitol for you winning but that was about three days ago."

"What was it like?" Haymitch asked.

"We have no idea. We were all here, waiting for you to recover and for us to be able to see you."

"How long have I been here?" Haymitch was filled with questions and wanted to know everything.

"Five days."

"What about the arena? What was that like?"

"With so many tributes, you didn't get a lot of screen time until towards the end. We saw you with the butterflies and when you were watching those girls in the clearing. And when you made an alliance with Maysilee." Haymitch winced.

"Don't think any of the families are celebrating much."

"Did Clay actually kill Poppy?" Haymitch asked. Haymitch's mother frowned. Coleen looked sick.

"Yes, he did. Her family were in shock. They didn't have a clue how to react."

Haymitch felt sick too. He didn't want to know anymore. The memory of Jewel's axe head kept coming to mind and made him feel awful.

A door opened and a woman with brown hair in a ponytail and a white doctor's outfit came in.

"All out now. Haymitch is with us for two more days and then he can leave."

All three visitors hugged and kissed goodbye to Haymitch then left the hospital. Haymitch saw his mother give one last look back, a wistful look on her face. The doctor then shut the door.

"You're all healed up, Haymitch. Your wounds are all healed up and you look much better. We would like to just keep you here for two more days. No overexertion either. Just for precautions."

 "Thank you." Haymitch said as he slumped against his pillows. The doctor smiled and left, leaving Haymitch with his thoughts.