Chapter Text
It was a Friday, which meant Blaise and Thalia (my lovelies) were over at my house, watching a movie (It Chapter 2 to be specific, for some reason I really like the whole recurring plot point thing). Anyways, movie night. We were watching the movie, still recovering from our most recent jumpscare (Jack Black) when suddenly we had another one. The capital had a breaking news segment that broke my fucking eardrums. Like seriously it was so loud that Blaise screamed and physically got up and spilled our popcorn everywhere. Thalia and I cackled as he sat back down, shielding his face from the world. (cut my life to pieces, this is my last resort, suffocation, no breathing)
“??? i thought Katniss’ dress try ons wasn't happening for a while???” Blaise, who is weirdly caught up on Katniss and Peeta’s relationship, said with the most offended look on his face. Who knew his usually glowing face could unglow(?) so fast.
“It’s not, I don't know what's happening. Dahlia? What do you think?” Thalia asked, looking very confused, with an ounce of hurt in her sky blue eyes. It was probably because of the popcorn. I will admit, I was pretty upset too. Like I can't believe Blaise would ever do that. But that's what he does. He lures you in with his pretty brown eyes, and gorgeous smile, then suddenly BAM popcorn is on the floor, and your eardrums don't work anymore.
“Uhh,” my eyebrows came together as i tried searching my mind for an answer, “I think it might be the-”
The words of Cesar Flickerman interrupted me.
“Hello, citizens of Panem!!! I am Cesar Flickerman, and to you, I introduce President Snow!!” He waved his hands like he was explaining how trains worked.
“This year will be the 75th anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it’s time for our 3rd Quarter Quell!” President Snow said, with a worryingly large amount of joy?? Like for a literal president, he sure did like to kill off his citizens.
“Ohh. Dee, are you gonna mentor this game?” Blaise questioned.
I frowned, “I’m not sure. It depends on what the card says I guess.”
Blaise nodded as if we weren’t talking about leading a kid to his supposed death like it's a lamb to slaughter. Totally normal conversation for a friday night.
“-On the 25th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it.” My eyebrows shot up. Imagine. Having to vote for someone to kill off. Imagine, having your friends, family, neighbors, voting to kill you off. I mean at that point truly no one wins. So you win. Yeah to go back to faces filled with fake sympathy, I’m sorry you were voted for, but congratulations on winning!! Yeah right. More like I really don't want you to hate me in case you're in charge of keeping my kid alive next year so I'm going to apologize and congratulate you as if I didn't just vote for you to die.
“On the 50th anniversary,” Snow continued, “as a reminder that two rebels died for each capital citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes.”
I winced. That was the game my dad won. According to Ripper, he’d gone in a somewhat funny kid, and came out a solemn sarcastic drunk. Talk about character development.
“And now we honor our third quarter quell,” Snow started as a little boy in all white steps forward and hands him a box, inside there were creme envelopes leaned upwards. Snow took the one with a 75 on it, “On the 75th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capital, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors.”
Upon hearing this, Blaise stood up and walked out almost immediately, making sure to slam the door extra hard to show off his totally unique feeling of anger.
Me, personally, I stood up, grabbed a bottle of liquor, and walked out without slamming the door, and circled around to the backyard. I snuck under the fence (after checking to make sure it wasn't on) and went deep into the woods. When I found my clearing, I picked up a discarded ax that was on the wooded ground next to a teal crate, and popped out the cork using my amazing talents. (digging the sharp corner into the top and hoping i don't cut my chin open as i pull said ax up towards my face) I took a swig and stood up.
Putting my bottle of fun (and headaches) on the vertical log I was sitting on, I regripped my ax so my right hand was more centered on the wooden handle, and moved my feet so they were shoulder width apart. (okay so maybe not My shoulders, but it's definitely proportional for someone, just not me) I raised my arm above my head and swung down as hard as I could into the tree 30 feet away from me. It landed exactly where a bullseye would be. I picked up another ax. Standing in position, and winding my arm back, i hit another tree, this time 60 feet away. I picked up another ax, this time nailing another tree 40 feet away. Another ax, 50 feet. And another. And another. And so on, until i went to grab another ax, and felt nothing in my crate. Damn it. I looked to the sun, it must’ve been 30, maybe 45 minutes? Since I’d been out there? I should head back, its almost dark I sighed, walking to each tree and carefully prying the ax out. I picked up the liquor bottle as i passed it, forgetting i had even brought it. I took a sip, needing it for what i was going to face when I got back.
As I made the trek, I thought about what i should do. Go to Blaise? No, he wouldn't be helpful. He was always sensitive about the games, especially since i had gone in 3 years ago. He’d just get upset. Thalia? No, she cant comfort for shit, as much as i adore her. She’d what? Say everything would be okay? It’d be no use, we both know its not true. I mean, I could just ignore it. Like i did last year. Gosh, i don't think i even went to the reaping last year. I don't think I've gone to one since mine. I slowed my walking to shimmy through the fence. When i got through, I took a deep breath and shook out my hands. It’ll be okay. I kept repeating it to myself as i walked across Victors Village to my Dads house, passing Katniss as i walked up the steps. I must be his last visitor. I pushed open the door, and was instantly met with the strong smell of vodka. Smells like home.
“Oh look whos back. Enjoy your little walk?” Haymitch said, with a slight tease to his tone (i am under exaggerating; it was alot more then slight)
I rolled my eyes and sat across from him at the table. “So. What'd Katniss and Peeta want?”
He sighed, “Katniss wants peeta safe, Peeta wants to save katniss, same old same old. You know, old Katniss over here, asked me to go in the games if they call Peeta. Isn't that crazy?”
I shook my head. Of course she did. All that mattered to her, whether she knew or not, was Peeta.
“And your little boyfriend,” I looked up at this, “what's his name?? Blaise?” I nodded my head, too confused to tell him that Blaise was not, in fact, my boyfriend, “He came running in here, like i just killed his puppy, demanding that you don't die,” oh. That's where he went. “And I was still in shock from the capital's little surprise, and was all like ??? shes ??? My kid ???? and for some reason he wasn't convinced that I would save you, so I kicked him out.” My dad finished, as he lifted the vodka bottle to his lips.
I thought for a second, before taking it away from him. I spoke, “You should go to bed, or you’ll hate yourself in the morning.”
He scowled, but still got up, “I’ll already hate myself. Why not add another reason?”
I rolled my eyes, “goodnight, dad”
All he did in return was give me a pat on my back.