The 50th Hunger Games, Second Quarter Quell

Chapter Nineteen

Haymitch and Coleen walked around District Twelve. Most people called out hi to Haymitch, others ignored him. The divide between Haymitch winning and the chance that Clay, Poppy and Maysilee could have won as well. Maysilee's family and friends did not show this anger to Haymitch, they appreciated him running back to save Maysilee.

"How long will you be gone?" Coleen asked. Haymitch squeezed her hand.

"I don't know. A week maybe? Possibly two? I'll be back before you know it. I promise." Haymitch kissed Coleen's cheek and she smiled.

"Well don't find a new girlfriend in that time will you?" Haymitch chuckled.

"Why would I want a girlfriend other than you? We've been dating for three years now." Coleen kissed Haymitch.

"You are a wonder to me, Haymitch. I truly love you."

"I love you too," Haymitch kissed her back. He then looked around. "I need to go."

"You get going to your Victory Tour then," Coleen said with a sad smile. Haymitch shrugged.

"They can wait. I'll walk you home first."

Haymitch walked Coleen home then jogged to the Victor's Village. When he burst in, Claudia, Aquila and his prep team were already there.

"Haymitch! It's been so long!" They greeted Haymitch then whisked him away to prim him up for his interview with Ceasar Flickerman.

Haymitch got washed, styled, buffed, polished and primed before Aquila got her hands on him. She dressed him in black from head to toe, a waistcoat, shirt, suit pants, ankle high boots with black gloves.

"Fantastic. You're finished." She declared as she combed a stray hair back to his hairstyle.

"Thank you, Aquila," Haymitch said. Aquila smiled and they walked back to the hallway of the house where Claudia was waiting.

"Haymitch, you look great!" She squealed. Haymitch smiled and nodded but his head was preoccupied with the idea of the Tour.

"What exactly is this interview about? And why isn't it in the Capitol?"

"It is just a little five-minute catch-up. You'll get another interview later on during the Tour. Now, if I am right, you are on in one minute. Caesar will just be warming up the audience."

Aquila made a few last arrangements then Claudia positioned Haymitch by the doors ready to walk outside.

"Five... Four... Three... Two... One. You're on." Aquila opened the doors and Haymitch walked out. Around him were cameras and lights. Haymitch could hear the audio of Ceasar Flickerman saying welcome.

Haymitch waved and came down the steps.

"Haymitch! How is life since the Games?" Haymitch smiled.

"The Capitol has provided my family and me with a home and food. I am extremely grateful."

"Are you excited about your Tour?"

"I suppose a bit. It'll be good to see the Capitol again."

"Well, we cannot wait to see you again. We'll catch up later on in the tour but goodbye, for now, Haymitch Abernathy!" Haymitch smiled and waved once more before the cameras went dead.

"Brilliant! We're leaving. Haymitch, be more enthusiastic next time. You are a victor! Act happier about it."

Haymitch climbed up the steps and to the entrance of the house. The prep team, Claudia and Aquila were now leaving to prepare the car to take them to the train station. This left Haymitch with a minute to say goodbye to his younger brother and mother once more.

"Please be careful what you say, Haymitch. You may be a Victor but President Snow will not appreciate you making snide comments about the Games." His Mom said as she hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"I will, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, my darling. So much." Haymitch hugged Anthracite.

"I'll see you in a few weeks. You can watch me in the living room now, on the television set." Anth laughed.

"No chance! I can watch OTHER things. Better things." Haymitch smirked and rolled his eyes. He ruffled his brother's hair then waved goodbye once more before leaving.

"Tomorrow will be a busy day. We have District Eleven tomorrow. The four fallen tributes for District Eleven were Laurel, Meg, Martin and Seeder. The girls were killed by those flowers and the boys were killed on the first day. Just read my cards and you will be fine." Claudia promised.

The car drove them to the train station. It was the same train which took the District Twelve tributes to the Capitol after the reaping. Haymitch was glad to have familiar surroundings with him.

"Where do I present?" Haymitch asked Claudia as the prep team and Aquila wondered off to look around the train.

"In front of the Justice building. The tribute families will be standing on podiums behind the crowd, facing you. Just talk to everyone, don't just focus on the one tribute. It'll look disrespectful." Haymitch nodded, taking it all in.

After dinner, Haymitch had a shower then went to bed. He was already exhausted but there was more to come.

The prep team styled Haymitch once more. For the Districts and the speech, although it was a Victory Tour, Aquila was firm that Haymitch had to be dressed down and not extravagantly. They whined about this but obeyed, still priming and polishing him but leaving out things they would normally add. Aquila then dressed Haymitch in black once again. Same black boots, skinny black pants, a black shirt but also a black silk jacket and black leather gloves.

"You're done." She smiled at him. Claudia then moved them all off the train and into the car waiting at District Eleven's train station. The car took them straight to the back of the Justice Building where they were greeted by the Mayor of District Eleven. He shook all of their hands then went to the front of the Justice Building to introduce Haymitch. Claudia bustled Haymitch to the front doors of the Justice Building.

"Smiles," Claudia said as she handed Haymitch cards with words. Haymitch took them and inhaled deeply as the Mayor introduced him. A microphone was clipped to his jacket and Haymitch walked out.

The crowd clapped in a very dull way. Peacekeepers were everywhere. True to what Claudia had said, the tribute families were at the back of the crowd on podiums. Haymitch glanced down at the cards.

"Thank you for welcoming me to your District. This Quarter Quell had four tributes sent into the Games rather than the usual two. This means a bigger loss is felt amongst the Districts. Your fallen tributes, Laurel, Meg, Seeder and Martin were strong people who fought hard during the Games. Although I celebrate my victory as a Victor, I also grieve alongside you for the losses you have sustained. These four tributes will be forever remembered for their strength, their skill and their sacrifice." Haymitch cringed at the words. The audience was not pleased but with so many Peacekeepers around, they applauded with anger in their faces. Haymitch backed away and the Mayor said a speech about the loss of the four tributes. Another round of applause then Haymitch and the Mayor were led into the Justice Building by a group of four Peacekeepers.

"Very well executed, Haymitch," Claudia said.

"I'm not sure I can agree with that." Haymitch murmured.

They had a small banquet with the Mayor and a few other District Eleven officials. The banquet was not as grand as the Capitol but it was clear to say they had tried very hard, serving the best rolls, fresh beer and steak. After the meal, it was another car journey, onto the train.

"Next is District Ten with the tributes of Cattie, Rain, Moose and Angus. Cattie and Moose were killed by you, Rain was killed in the volcano eruption and Angus was killed at the Cornucopia." Claudia informed Haymitch as they had dinner.

 "Brilliant." Haymitch said. This journey was going to be a piece of cake.