The 50th Hunger Games, Second Quarter Quell

Chapter Twenty-Three

"HAYMITCH ABERNATHY!"

"No... No... Not again... Please... No..."

"HAYMITCH! GET UP!"

Haymitch shuddered awake. The first thing he did was reach across the table for a bottle of spirits.

"No! Get up, get ready and we're leaving in five." Effie Trinket was the new Claudia LeBell. She had been doing Claudia's job for five years now, ever excited. Somehow each new death from each new game did not affect her, it just made her more determined.

Effie was this time, wearing pink. Pink dress, pink rose in her pale pink hair and glittery pink lips. She looked annoyed and angry but also firm.

"Why can't you ever just leave without me?" Haymitch asked as he stumbled to the sink and found a fresh bottle. He uncorked it with his teeth, spat out the cork and took a gulp. Effie sighed.

"Because you're their mentor. You're never there for the Reapings anyway!" Haymitch scowled at Effie.

"Do you really believe I want to be the mentor that kills off every tribute every single time for District Twelve? Do you really want me to 'get to know them?'"

"I want you to try, Haymitch. Goodness knows why that's so hard." Haymitch glared at Effie but followed her out of his home and into the car waiting outside.

"Where are they? WHO are they?"

"They're saying goodbye to their families currently. I'll go back for them once I've dropped you off at the train. The boy is called Peeta Mellark. The girl is called Katniss Everdeen. She volunteered for her younger sister, Primrose!" Haymitch choked on his drink.

"Some girl volunteered? No one volunteers. Not ever."

"This year feels different to me Haymitch. Very different." Haymitch laughed a cold bark of a laugh.

"Nothing is ever different about the Games, Effie. The only thing that changes is the tributes' names and the arena destinations. Believe me when I say this year, those two are going to die. Especially the volunteer. Anyone who volunteers is already meat." Haymitch took a swig of his drink. He wanted to get a nice buzz before meeting the next two tributes who were going to fail just like the ones who had failed for the past twenty-three years since he had become District Twelve's only mentor. Haymitch laughed darkly again.

 "Ladies and Gentleman... Welcome to the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games... And may the odds be ever in your favour."