The Sword's Other Half

I Made a Promise

*AN: I'm so sorry that I've been inactive, Guys! I started my first year of college recently and I've been trying to get settled in. I promise I'm going to try to do better. I'm publishing this chapter early as an apology and also for Namjoon's birthday. Happy birthday to one of my favorite group leaders! Actually, Saturday is mine and my bias Han's birthday on. I'm actually thinking of doing a face reveal for our birthday. What are y'alls thoughts? Anyways here's the chapter. I love you guys and stay lovely!!! 💜*
I stare out the window in silence. 'I did the right thing. I'm protecting Prim and Kat just like I've always done. I'm doing this for them.' Suddenly I'm broken out of my thoughts by the door opening and a Peacekeeper escorting some people in. I look and see the Everdeens rush in. I'm engulfed in a hug by the crying younger girls and I squeeze them tightly in return. I gently push them away and look Kat in the eyes as I address the two. "Okay, you two listen. I don't have much time. Listen. Both of you are going to be okay. Remember don't take any extra food from them. It isn't worth it. Rosebud, Gale and Kat will bring you game just like always and you can sell cheese from your goat. Nothing is going to change." I reassure her.
"But you won't be here. You won't be here to call me Rosebud or sing to me, or just sit and talk with me. You could die in there, Mel. I don't want to lose you. Please try to win. Maybe you can do it," she tells me in tears.
"Listen here, Rosebud. I'm gonna do my damnedest to make it back to all of you but know this...I will never regret what I did back there. I made a promise when Kat started being eligible for the game and that extended to you this year. I will always protect those close to me. I love both of you too much to see you go through this. You have a family to come back to. You are the only family I have and I refuse to lose you. Do you two understand?" I say looking at them with determination.
"You're one tough Fairy," Kat says with a dry chuckle.
I chuckle back, "Damn right I am."
Prim holds her closed hand out to me. I look at her confused and she drops something into my open hand. Looking down I see the Mockingjay pin Kat and I got her. "To protect you," she says.
I place the pin in my pocket and I give her a tight hug. "I love you, Rosebud. Never forget that," I say kissing her head then releasing her. I give Kat a big hug too just as the Peacekeepers come in to escort them out. Prim fights against Kat who leads her out, "Rosebud, it's gonna be okay. I promise!"
Just as I'm walking back to the window the door opens again and Gale gathers me up into his arms. I hug him tighter when I feel the wetness on my shoulder "It's gonna be fine Gale."
"Yeah, I know," he responds shakily.
"Listen to me, Lissa. You are stronger than them. You are. Get to a bow or even daggers."
"They may not have any," I remind him.
"They will if you show them how good you are. They want a good show. That's all they want.If they don't have a bow then you make one, okay? You know how to hunt," he tells me.
I scoff at him, "Yeah, animals."
"It's no different, Melissa."
"There's 24 of us, Gale. Only one comes out," I say shakily.
"Yeah. And it's gonna be you. You are gonna come back to your younger siblings and find your soulmate someday. You are gonna grow old and have kids together. You will make it out of that arena, Melissa," I nod at him and pull him into another hug.
"You and Kat better finally be a thing when I get back," I tell him with a chuckle.
"Tell you what. I'll ask her out right in front of you when you get back," he chuckles.
"Deal. Take care of them for me while I'm gone."
"Always," he answers confidently.
Suddenly the Peacekeeper comes in and escorts him out leaving me all alone in the room once again.
After a bit, Peeta and I are escorted to the train that will take us to The Capitol. "200 miles per hour, and you can barely feel a thing. I think it's one of the wonderful things about this opportunity, that even though you're here and even though it's just for a little while, you get to enjoy all of this." Effie looks between us then gets up from her seat, "I'm going to find Haymitch. He's probably in the bar car."
I look around the immaculate train car when Peeta turns to me, "Have you ever met him? Haymitch?"
"Yeah, I know everyone in District 12. Haymitch and I have chatted on the few occasions he hasn't been drunk. I've even helped treat his hangover a couple of times," I say with a slight chuckle.
The tension in Peeta's shoulders ebbs away slightly at the warm smile I sent him. The door to the train car opens and Hamitch stumbles in. "Congratulations," he sarcastically says as he makes his way over to the liquor picking one and pouring it into his glass. Haymitch sits on the couch next to me and puts his arm on the back of the couch behind me. "How've you been, Sweetheart?" He asks.
"I've been fine, Haymitch. And you? Have you been taking care of yourself?" I ask in return.
"Same old, same old, Princess."
"Okay, so...So when do we start?" Peeta asks
"Whoa whoa. So eager," Haymitch stops him. "Most of you aren't in such a hurry.
Peeta looks at him, "Yeah. I wanna know what the plan is. You're our mentor. You're supposed to tell us how to get sponsors and give us advice."
Haymitch thinks for a second, "Oh, okay. Embrace the probability of your imminent death. And know, in your heart, that there's nothing I can do to save you."
"So why are you here then?" he asks.
Haymitch smirks and looks at his glass, "The refreshments."
Peeta reaches for the glass, "Okay, I think that's enough of that."
"Wait, Peeta. Don't--" I try to stop him but I'm too late as Haymitch kicks him away and holds him there with his foot.
"You made me spill my drink. These are brand new pants. You know, I think I'll go finish this in my room," He complains. Haymitch leaves and Peeta follows after him.
"Wait, Peeta!" I call but once again I'm too late. I go to my room and watch the recaps of past games before going to bed. 'Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.'