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— Haymitch! Katniss exclaimed, feeling a strong hand grab her elbow and lead her somewhere between the drawers.
Haymitch covered the girl's mouth with his hand and, after making sure that no one was passing by, released the resisting Katniss. The girl wanted to raise her voice, but Haymitch shushed her and put his finger to his lips.
"What the hell, Haymitch?" Katniss spoke in a loud whisper.
— Sorry for the extreme, — the mentor apologized quietly, — I found out that you are going to Coin…
— Yes, I'm going to her. What happened?
"She's going to ask you questions about Effie," Haymitch began, "and you're going to have to tell her that you don't know where she is. Tell her you saw her a week ago and she was in a great mood or something.
"I haven't seen Effie in two weeks, Haymitch," Katniss remarked, "what's going on?" Where is she?
— Now is not the place and not the time, — the man looked around cautiously, hearing hurried footsteps, — just say it to Coin. When you're done, come into my compartment and I'll tell you everything.
As soon as Katniss nodded, Haymitch was blown away. The girl did not quite understand what exactly she should do if Coin asks more tricky questions, such as: "where did she see?", "at what time?", "where was she going?", "who was she with?", "what was in her hands?" and so on. Katniss remembered well how Effie answered all the questions quickly and shifted from one foot to the other all the time. When the questioning was over, Effie hurriedly left in the direction of the elevator. Katniss often visited Effie in the evenings, but she hadn't found her there recently. The woman often shared her room with Haymitch (everyone had already found out about their relationship), but Katniss managed to catch him with difficulty. They shrugged their shoulders at all questions about the loss of the mentor and the curator. The only person who behaved strangely during the questioning was Beetee. He kept looking away and answering questions with an unambiguous answer, while all the time turning the stroller in the other direction, as if hinting that it was time for him.
Katniss wondered what the three of them were hiding. The girl prepared to answer Coin's questions with thought and understanding. In short, do everything to make her believe in Katniss's honesty and sincerity.
When she reached Coin's office, the girl went inside. The president was in the company of Plutarch and a young girl sitting opposite. When Katniss appeared, Coin interrupted the conversation and invited her to sit next to the girl.
—This is Lee, Plutarch's assistant until Miss Trinket shows up," Coin remarked reproachfully.
How she deftly turned the conversation into the right direction, Katniss thought.
"Speaking of Miss Trinket," the president continued, "do you happen to know where she is at this point in time?"
—No," Katniss replied, rubbing her nose, "the last time I saw her was about a week ago. She was in great spirits and behaved quite normally.
—Well, I see," Coin nodded, "Mr. Melark hasn't seen her in about two weeks. He said that she visited him and her behavior was quite strange. She was obviously nervous and in a hurry, as if she was afraid that someone would see her.…
— Maybe to you, — Katniss said in all seriousness — she always has her hands full.
— Katniss, — this time Plutrach turned to the girl, with whom she had a much better relationship, — the fact is that we haven't seen Haymitch lately. If they're up to something, tell us. It can be dangerous for them as well as for us.
Katniss glanced in the direction of Plutarch, and then Lee caught her eye. She carefully studied her clothes and face. It seemed that what was happening here did not bother her at all.
"They have the right to a private life and I'm not going to get into it," Katniss said, abruptly getting up from her chair and walking out of the office.
Katniss understood that she had not done the right thing and perhaps paid a lot of unnecessary attention to her person. But these expectant glances for some unknown reason threw the girl off balance. Lee's gaze fixed on her face completely confused Katniss. The girl didn't want to figure out what was going on with Haymitch and Effie, but she promised the mentor to come. After all, she was worried about her handler.
Haymitch's "apartment" was on the floor above. Katniss pressed the call button and the elevator immediately opened the doors. After going inside and reaching the desired floor in a matter of seconds, Katniss got out and headed to Haymitch's room.
The man was hastily packing his things into a bag, not even noticing the guest who had come. Katniss noticed out of the corner of her eye a "stolen" piece of bread from the communal dining room. According to the law of district 13, it was strictly forbidden to bring food into the rooms. They could have been punished quite severely for this.
—Haymitch,— Katniss called out as quietly as she could.
The man instinctively took the knife out of the inside pocket of his jacket and immediately exhaled in relief and lowered the weapon.
"I imagine if Coin came in now,— Katniss said, twitching her lips.
— Have you talked to Coin? Haymitch asked, continuing to put things in his bag.
—Yes," the girl replied, picking up an object wrapped in thick, non—rustling paper from the floor.
The item was wrapped carefully and neatly. While Haymitch was looking for something on his bed, Katniss decided to be curious and open the package a crack. Slowly unpacking the top, Katniss raised her eyebrows when she saw the bottle with the nipple. The girl couldn't say a single word when Haymitch turned around and met her gaze.
—Look, no questions asked," Haymitch said, —Effie's pregnant. No one should know about this, otherwise the child will be killed and we will be punished. Pregnancy is strictly prohibited in District 13. After becoming pregnant, a woman must come to the hospital room and check in there, then have an abortion. If you do not have time to do this, the child will be dealt with after giving birth. Since no normal woman wants to see her child killed, she goes for an abortion voluntarily.
— But why all this? Katniss whispered.
"Coin doesn't need extra mouths," Haymitch replied, "if every woman gave a new life, there would be no room left in District 13 and children would sleep on bombs." You know how many abortions have already been performed.
Katniss nodded as she packed the bottle.
"Now come on,— Haymitch said, taking the bottle from Katniss, "I'll show you where Effie is." Don't ask any questions about it while we're going there.
— Can I ask you one last question?
- Yes?
— Did Beetee have anything to do with this?
"I'll say this: if it wasn't for Beetee, Effie and I would probably be dead by now.
Haymitch zipped up his bag and gripped the belt tightly in his hands, opened the door and went out into the hallway. The mentor's room was in the most deserted area of the district. It so happened that due to the lack of alcohol, Haymitch was often violent and made a terrible noise. Therefore, Coin gave him a separate room, away from other compartments. But he rarely spent the night here, as far as Katniss knew.
There was another elevator immediately behind the mentor's room. They acted quickly and as silently as possible. As soon as they were inside, Haymitch pressed the lowest button.
"The main thing right now is that no one forces themselves on us," Haymitch said, "if that happens, follow me."
Katniss nodded, thinking to herself what a pregnant Effie might look like. She didn't know how long her handler was. In any case, her pregnancy will be noticeable, as she is too thin. And since it was hidden, it means that it is all the more noticeable.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped with a bang. The doors parted. Katniss thought she heard Haymitch whisper something. The girl who now replaces Effie got into the elevator. She stood behind the couple and both felt her piercing gaze on them. Katniss noticed how Haymitch tensed, because Lee didn't press the button, so she went the same way.
When the elevator stopped, Katniss and Haymitch sauntered out of the elevator. It seemed to the girl that she was in a coal mine. Sweat began to trickle down her back, even though she was wearing an ordinary jumpsuit made of light fabric. It would be easy to suffocate here if you tied your mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
They walked slowly. It was obvious that both were stalling, but Li was not going to overtake them. She kept pace with them, not letting them out of her sight. Haymitch accelerated slightly and turned the corner sharply. Grabbing Katniss by the hand, they quietly hid between the huge boxes of weapons. It was very dark in here. One unfortunate lamp, held on a thin wire, did not illuminate even half of what was here.
Katniss saw Lee turn the corner too. She stopped and looked around. Not finding what she needed, she returned to the elevator. As soon as the noise of the elevator died down, Haymitch and Katniss came out of hiding.
— This girl is now Plutarch's assistant while Effie is away. She was spying on us," Katniss said confidently.
"But she obviously didn't expect to meet us in the elevator," Haymitch said, "Coin probably asked her about it, because I'm missing too and Coin is looking for me." She's going to be putting a price on our heads soon.
Haymitch came around the corner and walked straight ahead. The further they went, the hotter it got. An unpleasant, sticky liquid stuck to the clothes. Katniss wiped the sweat from her upper lip. She wondered how Haymitch could stand such heat while wearing a warm sweater. It was getting darker and darker. Finally, they bumped into the door. There was no passage. Katniss did not quite understand the mentor's further actions. He put the bag on the floor and took a flashlight out of his pocket. Shining the light through the hole, he touched the handle and his hand went through. Katniss blinked and shook her head.
"It's all thanks to Beetee," the man smiled, "it's an illusion. In fact, there is no such corridor here. Let's go.
Haymitch walked through the door without another word, ending up on the other side. Katniss gently touched the handle. It felt strange. It's like it's a hologram. After passing through it, the girl found herself in an ordinary room, similar to the standard compartments in district 13. The room was well lit and it was surprisingly cool here. It's all the fault of the fixed mini-fans, which, most likely, were also invented by Beetee. They were located all over the room and were almost invisible. There were two bunk beds, a low wardrobe, several shelves, a desk on which various drawings and a computer were located. There was a small drawer next to the table, vaguely resembling a refrigerator. Beetee was sitting at the table in a wheelchair, tapping his fingers on the keyboard. Effie was sleeping on one of the beds, carefully covered with a blanket.
"How long has she been asleep?" Haymitch asked quietly.
"About an hour," Beetee replied, turning to face the newcomers.
Noticing Katniss, Beetee was surprised, but then a smile softened his face.
— Good to see you, Katniss.
The girl smiled and walked over to the table where Beetee was working.
"How long have you been here?"
— Since the beginning of all these events, — with some enthusiasm, — they promised me to name the child after me.
— I didn't say that! Haymitch chuckled softly as he put his things away.
—Effie said that,— Beetee smiled.
— She's pregnant! It doesn't count.
— Beetee, — the original name, — Katniss came to the defense.
— You can also organize a club, — the mentor advised, — and I…
Suddenly, I heard a strong shortness of breath and coughing. Beetee quickly wheeled the stroller away, and Haymitch rushed to the bed, from which Effie was slowly getting up. Beetee opened a drawer and pulled out an oxygen mask with a long tube attached to it.
— Give it to Haymitch! He raised his voice.
Katniss quickly grabbed the device and handed it to the mentor. He did not hesitate for a second, put an oxygen mask on the nose and mouth of the woman and she began to greedily swallow the incoming air. It took her two breaths to get back to normal. Haymitch took off his mask and handed it to Katniss without looking at it.
Haymitch lifted Effie up and leaned her back against the headboard. Noticing Katniss, the woman smiled happily.
— Katniss! And you're here! I'm so glad to see you!
It seemed to the girl that Effie was literally squeezing a smile out of herself. And it wasn't because she wasn't happy to see Katniss, but for some other reason.
Katniss sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to find this reason. Her gaze involuntarily fell on the rounded belly.
— Do you already know? Effie asked hoarsely, putting down the glass of water.
Katniss nodded. The term was at least five months, judging by the belly. Although Effie was so skinny that she could have given all nine!
— There is too little air here, — Beetee rolled the stroller closer to the bed, — since Effie consumes oxygen not only for herself, but also for the child, she just needs fresh air and daily walks. Unfortunately, such luxury is not available to us.
— And how many of these attacks happen? Katniss asked, not taking her eyes off the curator's eyes.
—Two or three times a day,— Beetee replied.
"Beetee has to be here because I can't trust anyone else," Haymitch shook his head, "asking you or Peeta is not an option because you're constantly the center of attention."
All this time Effie was silent and Katniss noticed how often she swallowed. This pregnancy is too difficult for her, but she wants this baby. He had already become the dearest person in the whole world to her.
—Greasy Sei cooks me some food when I go hunting," Katniss said firmly, "I'll bring it to you." And don't turn me down.
The last sentence was said quickly and sharply, because Effie was already opening her mouth to protest. It was dangerous. If she is caught, she will be punished, even though she is the face of the revolution. And they will punish not only Katniss, but also everyone involved in this. Including the unborn child.
—I'll help in any way I can," Katniss took Effie's hand in hers, "I'll ask Mom to come and examine you once a week." Tell me, and I'll do whatever it takes.
Effie swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded, pursing her lips.
—Thank you,— Effie whispered, realizing that these words would not be enough to express all her gratitude.
Katniss gently released the curator's hand from hers and got up from the bed and walked over to Haymitch.
"We need to find a way to get Effie outside," she whispered in Mentor's ear, "at least once a week, otherwise she'll suffocate in this basement."
Haymitch nodded silently, opening the door for Katniss.
***
Several months have passed since that day. The secret of the Abernethy family continued to be kept secret. Few people knew about their secret, and those to whom it was revealed were few. Besides Katniss and Beetee, Peeta, Prim, Mrs. Everdeen, Gail and Greasy Say knew about it. The latter probably wouldn't have known about it either, if Katniss hadn't asked her for a favor. The girl could trust her and therefore did not deceive the woman. Greasy Say agreed to help, cooking a decent portion of meat, porridge and some vegetables eac Several months have passed since that day. The secret of the Abernethy family continued to be kept secret. Few people knew about their secred those to whom it was revealed were few. Besides Ki Beetee, Peeta, Prim, Mrs. Everdeen, Gail and Greasy Say knew about it. The latter probably wouldn't have known about it either, if Katniss hadn't asked her for a favor. The girl could trust her and therefore did not deceive the woman. Greasy Say agreed to help, cooking a decent portion of meat, porridge and some vegetables each time. Katniss and Gale, in turn, got food and brought a pretty big catch each time. I had to look more carefully to have enough for everyone, including Effie. Sometimes Katniss managed to find berries, which she showed to Prim before giving them to Effie. And only after her approval, I took them to Effie.
Each time, Effie worried about her rescuers and asked Haymitch to dissuade them from such an undertaking. But the argument that this has been goEach time, Effie worried about her rescuers and asked Haymitch to dissuade them from such an undertaking. But the argument that this has been going on for three months has calmed her down. Beetee still managed to find a safe way to go outside and get some fresh air. After several such exits, the expectant mother felt better. After two weeks, she stopped suffocating. True, an attack could suddenly appear once a week, but it was always prevented.
Today was the day Effie, Haymitch, and Katniss went outside. This time, Peeta d Today was the day Effie, Haymitch, and Katniss went outside. This time, Peeta decided to join the campaign. They walked along an ordinary route, turning around several times to make sure that no one had set up surveillance on them. After passing through the illusion created by Beetee, Katniss collided with Haymitch and stumbled to the floor. The mentor absentmindedly helped Katniss and Peeta up and immediately began to question them. He was obviously nervous and tried to hide his condition. Neither Beetee nor Effie were in the room. The bed where the curator usually slept was crumpled. The pillow was on the floor, and the lamp on the bedside table was smashed to pieces. Katniss looked closely and found several drops of blood on the floor.
"Did you see Effie on your way here?" Haymitch asked sharply.
Katniss and Peeta shook their heads. There was no mayhem in the room, except for the lamp and the crumpled bed. So the pregnant Effie was not dragged away by force and she may have agreed to voluntarily leave the room. But where was Beetee, who was looking after her? Coin's subordinates wouliss and Peeta shook their heads. There was no mayhem in the room, except for the lamp and the crumpled bed. So the pregnant Effie was not dragged away by force and she may have agreed to voluntarily leave the room. But where was Beetee, who was looking after her? Coin's subordinates woud not have been able to find this room so easily.
— Maybe Prim has it? Katniss suggested. — Maybe she got sick and Beetee went with her to the hospital room.
"There are no other options,— Peeta agreed.
—Okay, let's go," Haymitch nodded, hurrying out of the room.
The elevator quickly reached the desired floor without melevator quickly reached the desired floor without making unnecessary stops. When they reached the right place, there was one floor left, the elevator doors parted and an excited Gale entered it. Meeting Katniss's eyes and without looking at her, he pressed the right button and said:
"Effie is in the hospital ward.
— What happened? Haymitch responded immediately.
— I don't know. Prim has just informed me," Gale replied, "but that's not the worst part. Coin found out about Effie's pregnancy.
— Your mother! Haymitch cursed, running out of the stopped elevator.
— She's in the second room! Gale shouted.
The mentor stopped, realizing that he had missed the right room. Hurriedly returning back, he jerked open the door and froze in place. Coin, Plutarch, and several of their subordinates were standing near the next door leading to the ward. Beetee was sitting next to him in a wheelchair. He silently listened to the conversation between Coin and Plutarch, but when Haymitch burst into the room, all eyes turned in his direction. The president's subordinates already wanted to grab the mentor, but Coin stopped them.
Haymitch walked a little ahead to let Katniss, Peeta and Gale through.
—Oh, and here's the father of the child," Coin said with a malicious smile, peering into the mentor's blue eyes, "we've been waiting for you.
"Where's Effie?" Haymitch shouted furiously, preparing to lunge at Coin.
"She started bleeding, Mr. Abernethy, but it was prevented," Coin said coldly, suspiciously blocking the window in the door, "she will recover soon and everything will be fine. And now you can go to your compartment, Mr. Abernethy. You can all go now.
Haymitch nodded his head several times and turned around with everyone and headed for the exit. As soon as the president moved away from the window, the mentor rushed to the door, pushing two strong men away from him, he looked through the window. Seeing Effie practically unconscious, Mentor's heart sank sharply. The woman abruptly grabbed her hand, which Effie wanted to push away the nurse, who was holding a syringe with a dubious greenish liquid in her other hand.
Haymitch tried the door handHaymitch tried the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. Pushing Plutrach and the indignant Coin away from him, mentor kicked the door with all his might. So much so that it flew off its hinges to hell, forcing the nurse to drop the syringe in fright and turn around.
The mentor walked briskly to Effie's bed, before throwing the shocked nurse aside. She gasped and fell to the floor, hitting her head painfully.
"Mr. Abernethy, stop it now!" Coin raised her voice from a safe distance away.
Haymitch ignored the instructions of the president and Plutarch. Right now, he was focused on Effie's pale face and the drops of blood covering her trembling hands.
"They tried to kill our child," Effie whispered in a convulsive voice, literally digging her nails into Abernathy's skin like a drowning woman.
Her eyes filled with tears, but she tried to hold them back, swallowing a lump rising in her throat.
—Effie, I—
" Haymitch!
Mentor felt a strange pain in his collarbone. After a few seconds, Haymitch's mind clouded and he began to wave his arms, trying to find the source of the defeat. Hitting the nurse standing behind him, he collapsed unconscious on the floor.
The man woke up in a well-lit room, but it was not a hospital room. The mentor felt that there was something softer than a hospital bed under him. He was lying on a comfortable sofa with a pillow under his head. All the events that happened a few minutes ago caman woke up in a well-lit room, but it was not a hospital room. The mentor felt that there was something softer than a hospital bed under him. He was lying on a comfortable sofa with a pillow under his head. All the events that happened a few minutes ago came back to my mind. Haymitch jumped up from the couch and realized that he had made a mistake. Blood immediately hit his head sharply and the mentor almost lost his balance.
— You're awake. Nice," a cold, grinning voice was heard, —sit down.
The mentor noticed Coin's gesture, swayed over to a chair and plopped down on it. Everything was floating in front of my eyes in a slow wave. This condition reminded him of alcohol, which he had stopped once and for all since he had a relationship with Effie.
— Drink it, — Coin pushed a glass with a clear liquid, — it will allow you to get out of your condition.
The mentor reached for the glass in disbelief and slowly drained it. He put the glass down and looked at the president expectantly.
"Your wife is alive, as is the child," Coin replied to the mentor's actions, "she is not in the best condition right now, Mr. Abernethy. You shouldn't have delayed so long, but immediately go and do the necessary procedure. Or at least he was able to use contraceptives. Maybe I need to explain to you where children come from?
"We did it deliberately, Madam President, if that's what you're talking about," Haymitch said, without taking his eyes off Coin.
"Oh, really," Coin leaned back in her chair, "and what do you want to show by this?" Do you want to start a riot among the residents of District 13? Do you want them to trample the revolution that has just begun because of the child?
"I don't care about the revolution," Haymitch leaned forward, "but if you take my child's life, then I will make sure that you are trampled."
—Mr. Abernethy," Coin clea—Mr. Abernethy," Coin cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest, "don't get me wrong, I want to make your life easier. Miss Trinket is a woman born in the Capitol. If it wasn't for this revolution, you would never have touched it, wouldn't you? There were already worries about her here. She's the only one who came straight from the Capitol and who can betray us one hundred percent without hesitation.
— Is that how you talk about people? —Is she branded because she's from the Capitol?" You're starting to remind me of Snow. He despises the res— Is that how you talk about people? —Is she branded because she's from the Capitol?" You're starting to remind me of Snow. He despises the residents of the districts and welcomes it among the Capitol, and you repeat exactly after him. I get the impression that you're in cahoots with Snow. And what are your next steps? After taking power, do you plan to exterminate all capitolites, and then convince everyone that this is normal? The hell with it!
— Are you done? Coin raised an eyebrow.
Haymitch, without answering, also leaned back in his chair.
"Miss Trinket will never be able to take things like war and family seriously," Coin argued, "a child is a big responsibility, and she is also like a child herself. She was brought up differently, Mr. Abernethy.
— These events have changed her! Haymitch said loudly.
— Prove it! Coin persisted, glaring at the mentor.
— She's still alive.
There was silence in the room. The president did not have anything to answer to this statement. This argument was enough to admit that Effie e was silence in the room. The president did not have anything to answer to this statement. This argument was enough to admit that Effie Trinket had changed and would do whatever it took to keep her loved ones safe.
Suddenly Plutarch burst into the room.
— Congratulations on the imminent addition to your family! — The former Games Manager said with his usual good mood and smile.
— What do you mean? Haymitch didn't understand, but after a second it dawned on him. — Damn you all!
The mentor literally flew out of the office and rushed into the hospital room.
— Is she in premature labor? Coin asked.
"If you'd tried to stay in the basement they were in for eight months," Plutarch grinned, "and it wouldn't start like this."
***
My heart was pounding, and my stomach was clenched with excitement. Haymitch didn't understand what was bothering him so much right now. Not only the birth, but also the responsibility that he will bear for the baby. It wasn't fear, it was worry. Someday he will grow up and learn about Games, learn about his father's problems a long time ago. But it will be a distant past. Then what else? What if they lose this game? What if the revolution fails? What then?
Haymitch had already reached the second room. Katniss and Peeta were there. The mentor entered the room and closed the door. The window was covered with a white cloth, but Haymitch could hear Effie's periodic screams and the soothing voices of Mrs. Everdeen and Prim.
— How long ago? Mentor immediately asked, glancing at the tightly closed door.
"Only contractions so far,— Katniss replied, "it's been about two o'clock.",
Haymitch tried to squeeze between Peeta and Katniss, but the girl put her hands on mentor's chest, thereby stopping him.
"You can't help her now.
Mentor froze and looked from Katniss to the door. There were sobs and gasps. Katniss wanted to say something, but Haymitch did not listen and left the room and sat down on a chair next to the door. He covered his face with his hands and sat in this position for about half an hour. During this time, Effie's screams reached his ears, cutting deeply into mentor's consciousness. He was well aware that childbirth would be difficult, as he failed to provide the expectant mother with all the necessary conditions. He wanted to pin Coin against the wall and strangle her with his own hands. Mentor didn't know if they had injected Effie with anything before he arrived. Moreover, he was unconscious for several hours. Haymitch tried not to think about the worst, even though he could only think of the worst possible consequences.
When Prim ran out of the room, whose hospital gown was stained with blood, the mentor immediately jumped up from his seat, stopping the girl.
"I have to go, Mr. Abernethy, don't worry," Prim said, "the labor has already begun." I have to go if you don't want any complications.
The man didn't even have time to put in a word, as Prim twisted out of his arms and walked briskly into the room next to him. She came out of there in a couple of seconds. There were two clean towels in his hands. As soon as the door to the birth room opened, hoarse screams began to come from there, and then there was a sharp lull. Mentor recognized his name in these heart-rending screams. Haymitch wanted to wait until Effie's ordeal was over and finally hold their baby to his chest.
Haymitch went back into the waiting room, where Katniss and Peeta were still standing. They were nervous too, but they were standing here because they knew the character of their mentor. The man leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Hearing a sharp scream and the stern voice of Mrs. Everedin, the man opened his eyes and twitched. Peeta's hand involuntarily reached out to mentor's shoulder, but he remained in place.
— For the last time! Prim's voice was heard.
The last strangled cry, followed by the crying of a baby. Haymitch rushed in without waiting for an invitation, ignoring Katniss and Peeta's words. Mrs. Everdeen had just placed a small miracle on Mom's chest and moved away to let Dad pass.
Effie, still breathing heavily, with disheveled hair, gently hugged the baby. Haymitch, unable to believe that Effie was holding his child, froze in place. A smile appeared on his face, and tears began to come to his eyes, which he immediately tried to suppress. He could not imagine that one day he would have a real family, that one day he would have his own child and wife. And the most important thing is that they will be alive and they are not in danger now.
Haymitch knelt next to the bed, watching Effie kiss the baby on the forehead.
"It's a girl," Effie whispered, "our girl."
Haymitch kissed the top of the woman's head and then gently brushed her cheek with his lips. Effie closed her eyes, and then looked at the man and asked:
— Do you want to hold it?
Without further ado, Haymitch held out his arms to the baby. Effie carefully gave the girl to her father. The woman immediately smiled, noticing with what care the man was hugging the girl to himself. She was so small and defenseless that the man couldn't let her out of his arms. He swore to himself that he would protect her from this evil world and the life of this little creature would be safe until his death.