CHAPTER THREE

9:30

Ugh, Effie, the snotty brat who has had everything given to her, I bet she has had everything handed to her for Free. It irks me, but. Effie, she is sitting on the bench looking out into the capitol with a dirty cloth on left her hand wiping away what it seems to be the excess makeup away from her face…spoiled brat. Effie is not wearing her usual elaborate wigs or clothing. She has strawberry blonde hair, It sort of looks like the sugared peaches I've seen in the Maysliee family's sweet shop back 12. Her hair is very wavy and short in length. I should try doing this being a polite thing, so I get a little closer so that I don't scare the heck out of her, say "hey Effie…" and sit on the bench awkwardly.

Effie screams and jumps off of the bench "oh my goodness. Haymitch what are you doing here?.. O my goodness my face," I replied, laughing. "Don't worry Effie… we're what was the weird word Maysilee used.. oh right family.. remember?" She sits on the bench while I continue to laugh, "oh yes, Haymitch family, like you would consider me family," she sarcastically replies to me. She's funny but mysterious… there's more to tell of her. But I reply "yeah were not there yet. But I should be nice to you since you are in charge of my looks and I heard that the sponsors care about that stuff so to be nice I guess I'll say your hair is very pretty, and you look very uh 'fetching' without your elaborate makeup if I might add… BUT dont get me wrong you do look pretty with your elaborate makeup. Does that make sense?" She smiles and looks down at the cloth in her hand, and she says, "fetching?" And we both laugh hysterically, but Effie adds, "its fine haymitch dont worry… I guess I could say something nice about you but I would have to see something nice happen first but anyways thank you…you did attack me last night,"… I say, "i attacked you verbally not phsycally" she replies, "you attacked me and I demand an apology" I reply "heck no. it's true your a freaking princess who's privileged for doing nothing" Effie stands up, walking dramatically around the roof. She says, "did you just say I am privilged" I reply, "well sweetie you are from a district and now suddenly your capitol?" She replies "thats just being stupid" I reply "thats just using the common sense that I have so admit your pievaled" she says "i'll admit it if you aplogieze" I reply "fine I wont apogize" Effie sits back down, and she says "fine. New subject" I take a breath and say, "well, what are you doing out here? It's cold.. and its only July…gosh." Effie replies, "well I like looking at my home" I reply, "district 2 is probably really pretty" she gives me a look. She says, "looking out here reminds me of the days me and my cousins would play on the roof tops catch. How we would throw the ball into the forcefield and it would bounce back," I reply instantly "forcefield?"… Effie stands up and throws her cloth off of the roof, and it bounces right back to her hand almost immediately. And I say "wait… are all the buildings like that?" Effie says "that I know of."

I got thinking maybe the game makers will use something like that in the games, but instead of turning this conversation into a talk about death, I say abruptly, "why were you crying? Yesterday I mean, you told me, but anything else" Effie Breaths heavily looking out into the capitol "well a matter of fact, Heather Rae had told me right before to put this type of makeup on. Eyebrow gel on I told you to remember the bleach, well it was this chemical called chlorine and… it started to burn very badly. I had to contain it to make Heather look good in the presence of Jasyn and Karma..the gel and cream were infused with the chlorine, which I thought was bleach because I have done it before. Making my skin paler and my hair blonder and whiter." She adds, "I like the look it happened to catch me off guard. Usually, I would take the gel before I went to sleep so I wouldn't deal with the pain, but" How can they do that do her? How can her boss possibly allow this to happen? I reply "you bleached your skin without knowing..well you knew it was just more intense" Effie responds looking out into the capitol "yes. But enough about me, I also had a lovely time with you guys yesterday night, then I started to think more about you leaving me. Well, the crew like that is a possibility. None of you all is making it. It just frightened me. And my face was burning, so that added the heat to the fire," I reply, "why aren't you Sweet! Miss Effie," I add, "well that's true, but I don't think that talking about death in my situation is the best subject" I saw looking at her while she makes eye contact with me, and we have a moment. Effie replies "ah yes go" standing up she says "I don't mean to be abrupt but, why are you here?' I reply, "same as you, just some thinking time, and alone time, Ajax snores.. and I couldn't go to sleep this early even if I tried," I say, and she replies, "he does? Well, ah, okay, okay, so tell me about yourself and about the crew I should know," I respond "well, I grew up in district 12; my mother's name is Lavender. My bothers name is Louren and my sister's name Dahlias… I like reading when I can't stand cheese… and water isn't wet" Effie says, "that's interesting, well tell me about Fauna Maysilee and Ajax" I reply, "well, Ajax is bipolar most of the time.. he usually can't discern between his two personalities, I'll let you figure out those yourself... Maysilee is my sister's Bestfriend, and she's kind.

I don't know her incredibly well…" I think for a moment and then add, "Fauna, Fauna is the sweetheart; I've known Fauna since she was born, I've walked her to school forever... Fauna is the one I pity for... She was going to the reaping to see her siblings, and little did she know she would get reaped. Fauna doesn't know what the hunger games are.. we told her, you fall asleep… and Alma got mad at us for that. That's why you probably heard the yelling.." Effie stands up and paces, "yeah... I did hear some shouting earlier," Effie says, "you are very kind to be heard talking to me… Thank you, but I have to turn in," Effie says with a smile, and I reply, "thanks, I guess." I say in a laughing way "night Effie," I say, leaving she says, "goodnight Haymitch" going down the creaking stairs I go to my room. I flop myself on the ice-cold sheets and fall right asleep.

6:30 in the morning, Evian comes in Ajax. I's room shouting in a high pitched tune,

"rise and shine! My tributes! My family my glory and honor… I hope you all had a lovely night rest! I have here your schedules.. be up in 5 minutes breakfast in is 10" that godawful lady, sh's nice but gosh. I think I'm just finding anyone who's from the capitol annoying. She leaves going around shouting rise and shine and singing the country's national anthem.

Gem of Panem.

Mighty the city,

Through the ages, you shine anew.

Six minutes pass and Alma sprays us with cold water and kicks us out of our bed. Ajax rises, saying, "ALMA," alma replies yelling, "AJAX," they start yelling at each other like an old couple. But I zone myself out and leave the room. I take a cold shower and change. Ajax catches up, and we all go to the breakfast table where we are given two bagels filled but meat and eggs, two protein shakes, and a big fat juicy pear. We all are given different foods depending on the diet they have us on... Fauna gets a particular food they call in the capitol cereal and a couple of grapes, whereas I get a months worth of food. I say to everybody "morning" nobody replies… nobody is in a talking mood, so I mind my business. I check my schedule, and Fauna is up for counseling. We all eat silently asFaunaa goes to counseling, and Mayslice, Ajax, and I get our hair and makeup done. Effie blow-drys my hair, and I say to her, whispering, "do you mind telling me why suddenly everybody is quiet?" She smiles and says, "the first morning... My friends at the university have told me.. it is tranquil and slow. Still, everybody is going crazy because tonight, you all go straight from training to Heather, Jasyn, and Karma for the stylist. It is hard to get four tributes dresses and presented well in 2 hours, so behind the scenes, there's a lot of sewing, drawing, and writing going on." I say, "Oh right, your special, you have university friends. Still, we don't have to talk tonight.. tonight is just a show-off contest," Effie replies, "yes in a way, but you will have to meet some tributes and converse eventually during the night.. and that involves talking.. so regardless, a lot is going on"….. Leslie, who is Doing Maysilee's hi, says quiet, "Effie, di you hear what happened with Alma" I reply, "alms?" They all speak at the same time, "shhh," and Leslie continues, "yeah.. turns out she was running for president but got beat out by Snow" I reply "what happened to President Ravenstill" Heather walks in and says, "sources say he was poisoned" Effie Replies he was like 200 years old" I reply "true, but somebody must have hated him to poison him," Heather says "true, but maybe he did it to himself.. the man hated being president, don't quote me on that "Mayslice says "Excuse me, Effie" Effie replies, "Yes dear," Mayslicee says

"catch," I reply, catching the bottle of white liquor, "where did you get this?" While I gulp out of the bottle... Maysilee replies, "i was looking for water last night and there it was.. just sitting there staring at me" I laugh "your good," I say; Maysilcee says, "Haymitch thats for effie stop!" Effie says, "i cant though it's fabulous that you would offer but technically I am working," I say, "ha more for me, and technically we have less hours of living so us vs you know who, who is working so" Maysliee rolls her eyes at Leslie and me another added beauty consultant laughs while touching up Maysliee's makeup. Effie says to me, "done," Leslie says, "done" Mystique, the other helper, says "done," and Heather says "done."

Here we are. "done." Fauna finishes counseling a little frightened; who knows what Alma said to her. We on our way to training. We are filed in a line handcuffed while Evian reads us some things we should be aware of "okay guys so first, there are 48 other tributes from every district, there will be peacekeepers so be nice," ajax replies, "i will sweetie pie" while smiling sarcastically. We all laugh, and Alma continues, "AJAX! Mind your manners," she says but continues, "Fauna you are the youngest one so do not let the big kids get in your head."Fauna agrees, and Evian continues, "Mayslicee, by months you are the eldest, Ajax you are in the middle and often un recognized by sponsors so make sure you stick out and stay happy Ajax" Ajax replies, "yes mom" Evian rolls her eyes and continues the protocol telling us not to harm one another or ourselves by any chance, she says to continues practicing your strength and to make sure to impress the sponsors and remain known. We enter this grandiose hotel living space, and almost there, we go to an elevator, and Evian Gives the Tribute Chart

District. Name age

1 Diana Paul 13

Amara finch 18

Nickalai Finch 18

Jackson. Foung 15

2 Lydia Sallow 17

Ivy Cooper 8

Franz Cruz 11

Cosmo Slang 18

3 Aurella Falcon 16

Zemira Rondon 15

Carson Rascon 10

Zayden Lores 18

4 Falicity Brynt. 8

Kerina Stonicpher 14

Mathis Zavien 17

Isaac Xien 18

5 Reign Elise 16

Ivy Worth 18

Alabi Staff 11

Jack beer 16

6 Zayna King 13

Ophelia Musette 15

Timothy Lion 16

Ayden Wright 17

District Name Age

7 Lioana Cher 14

West Sterling 16

Coen Jon 12

Theodore Dam 17

8 Zaylee Ryder 8

Winoa Paul 13

Dean Curuso 15

Logan Lettsome 18

9 Melania Mae 14

Mykella Kendrix 16

Drax cross 13

Jasphere Koshy 18

10 Briella more 9

Mark Train 12

Lin Warfield 15

Alan Cushmen 18

11 Luisa Leal 16

Peneope Marie 15

Lukah Norme 18

Milo Gangon 14

12 Fauna Clark 7

Maysliee Donner 18

Ajax Cohen 16

Haymitch Abernathy 16

There is a list of 44 tributes, not including us, of course. We gaze at the 2-page chart for over a minute.. reading every name one by one as we walk… Evian Takes the map and leaves without a word.

The two peacekeepers escort us to the facility. My head is still on those charts. District one has a set of twins, Which could be Scary, considering they could team up or start a big fire in-between them—causing the whole games to focus on the twins and not on Fauna, Fauna anybody for that matter. I mean, I guess a career hasn't won since the 47th games but still.

Some lucky tribute that will be Faunas ally…or any other tribute, the games would be focused on Amara and Nickolai Finch… We get to the Training facility. The whole stainless steel room is filled with all sorts of knives, weights, axes, rope, bow and arrows, tridents, and a fake outdoor space, And everything you could possibly think of. There are 48 tributes in the training arena and one lady talking to us on our daily schedule. We get uncooked by a peacekeeper and are assigned a bracket to keep track of us, our hearts, etc. Before we are rallied together, I spot a tribute around a little older than I am; he seems very techy and concentrated. I walk around the room with FaunaFauna by my side. As FaunaFauna says hi to the younger tributes, I see another tribute.. a mean-looking face. Very distinct. As we are stalking each tribute, FaunaFauna makes friends with Felicity Bryant from district 4. They seem to get along. Both complain about their newly fashioned hair and how cold they are. I leave Fauna with Facility and return to Ajax, whispering, "did you see him over there? He must be 6'4 and weigh 300 pounds," ajax replies, "every other district awaits for this day. Of course, he is," I reply, "that's just district one and two stupids," Ajax replies, "oh yeah," I glance around the tributes heading towards Maysilee, but all these tributes seem out of it. They seem to be treating this as a junior high pre-dance party. But I get to Maysillee and say, "scary huh"… she replies,

"yeah.. all these girls look like they were bred for the games vs me," I reply in a confused face "well yeah, they were, but they're stupid" I walk away and come back saying, "what the heck do you mean.. you're strong. Look at your arms," I say in laughing but attempting to stay serious... and I continue, "I've been by the sweet shop before. When we were in 1st grade, you were really good at darts… you could aim every one of them." She says, "thanks, but darts is very different to knives, plus I may be strong, but those girls still look born for this" I reply, "you're not wrong.. but this year since there are so many tributes that means for capitol nonsense kids.. like look over their, District 9, Mykella... She's out of it.. all sh's doing is looking at the sponsors and Melania… Melania's eyes are not even in the same direction! They're crossed looking at her nose, she won't even make it to the first five minutes" Maysliee replies, "that's true, but it could be for show.. to make us think that but then—" I cut her off "no.. trust" and I leave Maysliee and stand by myself while a lady tells us what we will be doing. She says "congratulations tributes. You all have one purpose or two. Find what you are good at, and do it. That's all you do here.. some of here may want to improve on strength, for example, Alan Cushman district 10.. you may want to put on a couple of pounds…" some of the tributes laugh she continues "I have in the added tributes list, district 2 Ivy Cooper, district 4, felicity Bryant, district 8, Zaylee Ryder, district 10, Briella More, District 12, Fauna Clark. and for our gentlemen, we have Carson Rascon… I might want to add to this is that you will be treated quite differently than the 12-18 crowd just because you are younger. The peacekeepers will lead you to your training facility" the younger kids leave, cuffed in a single file. Now it's our turn.. "okay," the lady says, "we all know they're not making it, so everybody here must practice every exhibit by the end of the weeks... now go" I look at my options... I have either weights, running, and knife throwing.. all the careers go to the boxing are where they will stab and hit a peacekeeper till it makes them full of joy. I head to the station where we go on a treadmill and practice our speed. As I'm walking by, a short red-haired girl comes up to me and pushes my shoulder, saying, "Hey!" I reply, "what," she says, "you pushed me." I answer in a mocking tone, "o my gosh, you pushed m. I'm going to call you mom" and leave it.. these kids don't know how to start a fight, honestly…

I go on the treadmill where they will record my speed, and the tall career Ajax and I mentioned earlier is right in front of me about to start. I hear the two girls Melania and Mykella, talking about the tribute in front of me, saying his name is Nickolai finch... He's in front of me, but he's talking to another girl tribute, flirting with her and putting his hands on her waist, drawing her closer and closer.. so I skip him. He's not even watching, so I ignore him. I walk up to the treadmill and press the button that says 7. But somebody seems not to be liking what I'm doing, and Nickolai pushes me off the treading well more like shoves and says, "i was first get out," I reply, "well you shoved me so.. I - never mind enjoy saint nick" Nickolai replies, "you really think this is funny… this is official business I was first you were second" I reply "first of all your girlfriend was first, second of all you flirting is you own business so I dunno bout that chief" Nikolai approaches me coming closer and closer and towers down at me saying "look chief, if you want things to be cool with us I'd suggest you stop" I reply "who said I wanted things cool, chief" he replies "i dont know".. Nikolai loses his temper, puts the treadmill at ten and grabs my two arms, I say "chief, wait hold up" Nickolai grabs my arms and puts my neck and shoulder areas again the treadmill, I look back at him with blood gushing out and give a blank stare, Nickolai looks back at me "feels good chief" I reply "feels… gr..e..a..t" I can feel the blood on my shirt getting soaked and being absorbed. I am in so much pain I can't even feel my back anymore. After a minute of Ajax slamming me to the treadmill, a peacekeeper takes Nickolai away, and a doctor comes to see me; the nurses and Doctor take me to a room, they rip my shirt off and lay me straight on the office bed, then apply a cream to my neck and reserve special orders to get my hair shortened. They take pictures and show me the scarring.. the back of my neck is hot pink, white, and red.. blood gushing out and pink and white puss oozing out. I ask the Avox nurse, "how bad" she can't reply because her tongue was cut off, so she asks the Doctor to come in.. he says, "excuse me" I say, "is it bad" he replies, "well the thread mill was going 10 miles per hours and you skin was right on it… i'd say yes" I reply "oh goodie… it doesn't feel bad" the Doctor replies "well we have you on strong meds… you got a 3rd degree burn on your neck and just one degree on your shoulders… you should be fine but I would do much with your top half for a while" I reply "how long is a while" the Doctor says "about a week?" I stand up "no I hav the games in 2 and I have to kill 47 of them kinda, so theres a mistake" the Doctor replies "no there isnt" the Doctor gives me a stare so I leave the room all stitched, creamed and bandaged up. My top half is covered in bandages, and I can't even move my head from side to side. I have one resort. The treadmill. The stupid machine that gave me this but I wait.

I sit for a few hours, and they pass by and pass by. I feel a little better, and I go back to the treadmill. I start at five, but it's too slow. I go up to 7, and it's a bit quicker. I go to 10 the limit, where Nickolai Pressed me against, oh great memories. But I run and run for 20 minutes and get off. Sweating and soaked from the running. My neck is sore and stings like no tomorrow, but we get called for lunch and are excused from this horrible-ness.

Now the time has come 4:45. Finally, we get to get out of this place. I get a couple of hours and talk to somebody. But on our way out, I see Ajax beat up, so is Mayslicee Fauna looks FaunaFauna. So I ask Ajax as we are escorted out, "what happened" he replies, "nothing" I ask Maysliee, "what happened" she says, "ajax got into a fight with Nickolai's Twin, She's small but tough and she really beat the heck out of him.. so he's pretty embarrassed" I reply "oh" I go to Ajax "small but mighty?" And he pushes me to the side, and I add "burned, remember," he replies, "yeah," as were all cuffed on the way Evian talks to us about tonight, she says, "you all remember tonight we will be showing our tributes off!!!" I reply, "yippie," she says, "all of you will be wearing coal miners oufits designed by Jasyn and Karma! Heather and her crew will be making you look pretty, now you will not talk! All you will do is wave, now we head to lunch/dinner, and then beauty time!" We go back to the apartment, and Heather is saying, "what have they done to you? The games are in two weeks?" I reply "nothing just nothing" I sit down on the skinny chair, and tired from today. One of the Avox's brings us our soups and. There we are four tributes. I think Ajax and Maysliee are thinking about the tributes, mostly regarding how we will kill these people… they're not all bad. They're stupid but innocent… they look like the kids I've gone to school with growing up.

Leslie does the makeup and hair helper has Heather tell her what style to cut my hair…As they are about the shave off most of it, Effie comes out of nowhere saying, "no no no no, let me do this" she adds, "go!" I say, "someones uptight," Effie replies, "I've had a good day well well intended at least, the day was full of catching up on my schooling and filing papers to make sure that I can stay here," I reply, "papers?" Effie replies, "well yes, I still am required to have my name in the filing bowl, since I was born in district 2 but now particaping I mean apart of the Hunger games staff I now I receive capitol education. The papers make sure that I can be here, as a beauty consultant and make my way up into the world of capitol" I reply, "how do you mean, world of capitol" she says, "well my dream is to be where miss. Evian is," I knew it. I reply, "you want to tell kids that they are going to die for a living, thats just fabulous!" Effie replies, "well when you put it that way," I reply, "well thats the only way to put it." Effie replies "you dont have to be like that haymitch." I reply "well how many times has your name been in the fishing bowl, how many times have you had to attend a reaping, how many times have you had to lie to your grandmother that you were going to school but actually selling yourself short to afford the things she wants! How many times have you heard your Mother and grandmother cry over the reaping, How many times have you had to see your best friends get murderd in the games, How many times have you had to see your sister cut her hair off every year so she could sell it to afford food, How many times have you had to see your brother sell his toys to afford food? How many times effie how many freaking times," she does understand, and she never will.

Effie replies, "Haymitch!' I leave the room, and the whole team is looking at us in confusion…

I can understand. I just blurted out everything and blamed Effie for it. I don't know why I expressed it now; I mean, I could've waited. But she wants to work for the freaking capital. That's her dream? Gosh. If I am going to die in the arena.. why do I care about what she will do for a living. it is not my choice… if I die in the arena, fine… but if I live, I am also stuck with Effie and the prep team for the rest of my life, so I shouldn't be pissed at her if I am going to be stuck with her.

I leave for my room and take off the bandages and my shirt. I wouldn't say I like the new haircut Effie gave me.. it is shorter on the sides and a bit longer and the top bu I can't deal with it. Short hair sucks. and I have stretch marks on my biceps, and you can practically see the veins popping out of my neck and shoulder area. Fauna walks into the room and says, "Haymitch,your neck… are you okay?" I reply, "just a bump in the road fauna, just a bump" she sits on my bed, waving her feet up and down, and says, "I know miss. Effie is different but we can't blame those who different or live a different way then we do just because we didn't have their opportunity" I sigh, walking to the window "your right Fauna, just don't grow up… okay?" Fauna replies, "I wont, anyways… all the kids told me that you don't just fall asleep… when you die. It's for real." Gosh, what have we done? I reply, "fauna you know we were just trying to save you right?" Fauna replies with a teardrop coming down her face and onto her coal miners dress, "i know, you all mean well to me." She adds, "something strange did happen today," I reply, "what happend," she says, "everyhting was divided today. We had clocks everywhere and everything was organized by color and everything was a schedule" Fauna leaves, and I get to thinking… What is one clue that the capitol has been giving us all along.. all around me is clocks—tick .tick tick.

All over the walls in my room clock, one by one click click click, schedules have driven all of our staff… everything has been scheduled and timed and put into place how can that affect the arena. I get back in and sit on the chair. Effie looks me straight in the eye and gives me an awful look… I'll probably have to apologize to her tonight if she goes to the rooftop again… I shouldn't, it's true, why should I apologize?. Effie does my hair and makeup, not saying a word. But I am already dressed… and we leave in a long black car to where the parade will be held. This building is freakishly huge, with giant glass pillars and a gold carpet down the middle... Evian Escorts us to our cart, and this cart is filled with paper made gold flowers and two substantial white dogs.

I see Nikolai, and I walk up to him "hey chief," he replies "you look very secretive" I reply, "how do you mean" he says, "theres something about you that doesn't click to me but uhh I have to go… se ya chief" I walk away. I feel a brush against me, this medium height, curvy, curl haired female with bangs that lye on her forehead, the person says "district 11, Penelope Marie. 15 years old, I weight 110 pounds and I like gum" I reply, "wanna give me your favorite hobbies as well" She replies, "ha ha very funny, can you do me a favor?" The chewing of her gum annoys me. Could she chew any louder than that? But I reply, "depends" she looks up at me and points to Lukah Norme, another tribute from 11. She says, "him, he's good with Eletrical, im good at throwing stuff well I think and you running.." I reply, "okay?" she says, "allies yes or no," I reply, "heck no, I don't even know you?" Penelope sticks the hum on a tributes shirt as they happen to pass by, and she says, "yeah you know my name," I reply, "i still don't know you sweetie. bye," and I leave to the cart.

From the tributes I've met, they seem very straight to the point, very stern. As I approach the cart, FaunaFauna is getting her makeup retouched, so is Maysliee, and Ajax is talking to Luisa Leal. She's from District 11… she's fine, but she's another dumb one. I observe all the representation of each cart, from each district, and every other district (1,4,8,12) seems to be representing a season, one spring, four summers, eight falls, 12, winter. It's weird…. Nothing crazy, just an observation made. I walk towards our winter-themed cart... Fauna, Maysliee, Ajax, and I are quiet, but I start the conversation with the "big arena," FaunaFauna replies, "yeah," nobody answers after that... I say, "what happened, seriously… I get it first day and all but were supposed to be a team" Ajax replies, "team.. you call us a team… I heard Maysliee talking to careers today" Maysliee give a face to Ajax, he adds, "she's thinking.. about becoming allies with a stinking career. Seriously. Might want to rethink what team stands for Haymitch." Maysliee talking to a career? She's the first one who spoke about becoming a team and working together. She seemed invested in all of us and to FaunaFauna. I reply, "well, thats on Maysilee" Maysillee replies, "so what I talked to a career, so what maybe I'm thinking allies, whats that going to do" I reply, "potentially kill you, last time I checked the main point of the hunger games wa death" Maysilee rolls her eyes at me and walks away.

We have about 5 minutes until the parade starts, and I go walking around, scoping to see what the tributes are mumbling about. 30% of the tributes are talking about the level of attractiveness our in our group of tributes, another 30% talk about their stylist, 20% talk about the arena, 10% talk about everyday things like names, favorite colors, etc. the last 10% talk about the games. I hear Liz Palamine from district ten mentions that the capitol could hurt you if you don't give 100% tonight, the waving, the smiling, etc., so I come to think.. what is one thing that will piss the capitol off.

The hanging tree.

A song banished from the capital. A piece so powerful even school teachers would strike you for knowing it. The lights, the artificial flowers, and propaganda everywhere… all I see are fake smiles on the tributes' faces. As we step on the cart, Maysliee and Fauna stand in the middle and ajax, and I on the outside.

Lights.Camera.action.

We enter an arena so big and luxurious, painted, and hand-carved walls of the beginning of the hunger games, massive pillars, and humorous electronic screens with our names and faces. I see faunas face with her ear to ear smile waving, ajax waving, and Maysliee giving a welcoming smize. Looking straight into the camera, I mouth out the words.

"are you, are you,

coming to the tree."

The cameras automatically leave my face going back to Faunas. The crowds don't realize. Nobody does besides President Snow. President knows she is on a pedestal looking down on us like if he were a saint, and we were sinners. If we were sinners and a saint, he should be giving us counsel… protecting us, but no, he judges us and points his finger at all the wrongs we have done. But President know looks at me directly and turns his head to the side … slightly…. Lifting his eyebrow, he mumbles the words.

"they strung up a mad,

who say who murdered three."

He ends there and claps for the tributes. Not me. I know something he does, and he thought nobody would. Our carts line up in an octagon shape, and President know, says, "I would like to praise our government. Panem, We started off weak, and underfed with knowledge.. we were a district, the capitol, a district, we were all a district, living in one. We were living in a equal living state. We had no guidance as a nation. We needed commands, and ownership of the lives in our nation. And so we got it. we rose, we rose and gave diversity to out nation… giving seperation., giving command and authority. we l now live in a beautiful divided country, giving the rebels what they need. And the capitol what they want. Now, in all enjoyment. let the 50th hunger games, begin." President know she receives 10-minute applause for his "wise words"…the carts form a straight line, and we head back to the separated area for the tributes.

Evian comes in all excitement, hugging, kissing, jumping up and down all in excitement for us, and how proud she is… she whispers in my ear, "alma wants a word with you in the elevator."

I get escorted by two peacekeepers to the elevator, and Alma is standing there with her arms crossed. She starts with, "so," I reply, "so so," Alma says, "I'm not sure what you did, but snow isn't happy." I reply, "okay" leaning myself on the side of the elevator, she says, "Haymitch, that isn't okay" I respond, "then, okay!" Alma says, "he wants to talk to you," I reply, "okay," alma Slams me against the wall putting her arm leaning on my neck, saying, "okay, Haymitch! Okay! I want you to realize that no tribute gets a special meeting with President Snow, so either you don't screw this up, or you don't screw this up," I reply, "are you scared of what might be done to you or me?" She says back to me, "what are you talking about" I reply, "well, you seem to be scared of him" Alma replies, "I'm not scared of him; I just don't like him," I reply, "you don't like him because he beat you our, now your not president and he is. Boo hoo Alma". The elevator opens, and I say to her, "do you want me to give him your compliments or?' She rolls her eyes, and the elevator doors slide open. And I stand out of the elevator, and two peacekeepers are escorting me to the President's office. Two avox girls open the doors, and there he is in all his glory, looking out into the capitol. President Snow sings proudly.

"are you, Haymitch...are you,

coming to the tree."

President Snows's bloody scent fills the room and I can feel his anger flow through the room. President Snow takes a white rose out of a vase on his desk and plucks everyone of the settles off and throws them in the fire place. He turns and faces me "lovely song… isn't it?" Oh He knows, He knows… I reply to Him "it's one for the books…well it was." Snow says "yes, yes indeed, it was" he adds "but, how do you know this song, that melody… I know in twelve you all dont cary much well, memory, and determination.. what would a melody and some words do good to you" I reply "you know district twelve… we have to hold on to something" he replies "ah yes very true indeed." President Snow walks towards the side off his desk and pours himself a glass of a white drink and he says after he takes the first sip, "but who taught you that song…" I would tell him the truth that honestly but that could cost me my life and I can't afford that at this moment.

I reply "i've heard it in twelve… in school I heard it being sang.. had a catchy melody" I know the true meaning, so does the whole district… but what can he do we're twelve. Twelves legacy will live forever even though the place is full of crap. And is a crap station. Snow says "catchy?" I reply "the melody sticks into your brain.Thats was usually catchy means." Snow replies "yes, yes indeed but, did you know that the hanging tree was banded not to long after the 10, hunger games did you know that?" I reply "yes sir I did" Snow says "then what are your intentions?" I reply "just to stir conflict in the capitol… it is such a fragile system that a song could corrupt it" President snow walks into the room pacing.. I add "everything is organized, every minute is counted for.. what if that one minute or that one event didn't take place? What would happen… everything would fall and crash into pieces" Snow says "hmmmm" he knows looking straight back at me and Two peace keepers come and grab me by the arms… they push me down to the ground and hit me, strike me, they strike me with sticks that have hot tips and kick my neck, Time after time they kick me and push me. One of the peacekeepers holds me down as the other hits me. President Snow leaves the room saying

"they strung up a man, they say who murdered three

… strange things did happen-"

he stops and makes eye contract with me as I grunt in pain. He continues

"no stranger would It be.. if we met at midnight,

in the hanging tree"

the peacekeepers kick me everywhere and strike me time after time. The pain is so forceful and sharp. I can feel every strike and hear it. More peacekeepers come and the form a circle just wipping me and tortuing me.

The peacekeepers leave and I lay their in pain. The floor is covered in blood and puss.

I sit there in isolation and abandonment. About 30 minutes pass and I realize no one will get me, so I have to get up. My clothes are ripped, my shirt is ripped off, my neck is still bleeding terribly… my whole body in pain, I feel like a toddler who cant walk or doesn't know how to walk, my muscles feel like they are being use for the first time and they dont even know what to do. I attempt to move my right arm but I can feel the tear of skin between each rip. I move my left arm and more blood and puss flow out of it. My arms are out of the question so I use my legs to move myself out. I manage to maneuver a bit to the door and stand on my ripped knees and manage to open the door.

Their Alma is waiting. Her face is covered in tears and a spot of white liquid hangs over her lip, her fingers play with a minute white rose, similar to the one's in snows office. All she says to me is "i expected worse".. I say as "nice flower.. you got… a…. Little something ther" she wins her mouth and drops the flower to the ground. Alma picks me up helping me walk and we manage to get to the elevator. I fall on the ground panting and sweating and she says "how did they do it? Boiling oil? Knife wips? Dogs?' I say "no they stood classic, just wips swords and kicking." She says "oh okay. I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up" I reply "yeah you should've."she says as the elevator goes down "all you could do is be mad and me. really" she replies "well, what was I supposed to do" I reply "i dont know Alma, maybe say to me.. oh by the way the President has a tendency t be crazy… thought I'd let you know" she replies rolling her eyes "well, I was mad at you" I reply "so you used your emotions to deal with I dont know maybe my life at a certain extent" she replies "no, he wouldn't kill you" I reply "how do you know," she sys "he doesn't kill children."

A couple of nurses are called and they escort us with peacekeepers to out apartment. The pain I feel at the moment is a throbbing burn, I feel burnt and airy. The cold air in the lobbies enters my skin and makes me feels ice cold, all I feel is pain. In fact the pain is so bad I cant feel pain anymore. We get to the apartment and they leave Alma and I at the front door. Jasyn Opens the door, he screams in a loud pitched voice and runs In the opposite direction.. everyone was having dinner and Ajax and Liam one of the helpers to the stylist pick me and takes me to my bed… everybody is in aw… Evian leaves the room saying "I CANT I CANT" covering her eyes with her hands, so does heather. Basically the whole team leaves into their rooms. I hadn't seen myself but I could tell why they left.. I move a bit up and take my shirt off and look to the mirror next to my bed and see my ripped shoulders and marked face.. my stomach is marked and marked with the strikes of the wips. I lay down and one of the maid//nurses comes and presses ice, herbs, and meat almost all over my body. Another nurse comes in and brings bags of ice into my room.. they make a ice layer on my bed and set me on top of it and I scream "GOD" I scream and scream with pain and anger at president know… while the nurse sticks needles into my skin and leans my wounds. One of them writes on a paper "i will be back in a couple of hours, in the meantime get some rest" she leaves quietly. I screech and use profanity in pain. And while I throw my tantrum, I see a familiar silloute enter the room and I happen to notice it is Effie trinket