Chapter Text
Continuation form the book at page: 353 when Haymitch has just left the train station
The station’s quiet as a tomb. Strange, even for the hour. Perhaps it’s early on a Sunday, the one day the mines shut down. With all the drugs, I have no idea what the date is. Didn’t think to ask. We must be into August. I push through the heavy glass door, gulping in the night air, warm and moist and laced with coal dust, and for the first time I allow myself to believe that I have really come home. My heart skips a few beats and, fool that I am, tendrils of hope force their way up through the dirt of my despair. Could it be that within the hour, I might feel Ma’s arms around me, ruffle Sid’s hair, strip off Great-Uncle Silius’s dead man’s clothes, and pull on a pair of flour sack shorts? Could Lenore Dove be freed? Are the sweet moments of my previous life always taken for granted before the Games, once more in reach? Can there be happiness again for a miserable wretch like myself?
As I walk through the lonely streets toward the Seam, I pinch myself to rule out this being a dream. Silly, since I’ve no shortage of pain. It’s just that I was never supposed to return here, arena plot or no. The idea that I might have triumphed in a double Hunger Games strains belief. But those are my feet, clad in pointed patent leather shoes, kicking up the cinders on the way to my house. My pace quickens. If it is a dream, I want to sustain it until I get to see my family one more time.
I break into something of a sprint as my withered muscles groan and ache in protest. I come around the bend and there. There is my home. Of course the house is completely dark as it's no doubt early morning but that still doesn't contain my excitement. Will I really be under the patchwork quill in a few minutes time with Ma and Sid to find me in the morning, like they always have? Well that’s what I hope, I don’t plan to disturb their sleep.
I find myself automatically coming to a stop right outside. It feels too good to be true. I take a deep breath and start walking up the steps. I can hear my own blood pumping in my ears, pulsating in sync with my quickening breath- I pinch myself to ensure it's not a dream as I come to the front door before I turn the handle.
It's locked.
I smile. Ma always badgered me about locking the door when I started walking to school with Sid early and had the privilege of owning a key, therefore that meant I had the job of locking the door when Ma was out early already sorting through laundry out the back.
They hadn't been told we’d be back today. We’d . I freeze at the thought. No, that was right. We came back today, we finished the journey together.
The next thing I do might seem selfish but I'm bone tired and convinced I'll collapse if I stay standing a second longer and as much as I don't want to wake Ma or Sid I'm sure they’d want to see me. Would they want to see me? Would they want to see a Killer turn up on their doorstep? The Capitol puppet? The capitol plaything? The coward? The jackass who abandoned their allies? No, I tell myself they must know. They have to know that I didn't willingly abandon the newcomers.
I knock on the door before my courage can waver any longer.
It only takes a second before their movement somewhere in the house. Clearly someone wasn't asleep in the first place. And not even a minute after I knocked the door swings open.
I step inside seeing nobody in the darkness of the house and the door swings shut behind me and…
Ma envelops me in a hug. Even in the pitch-black of the room I know is Ma, she smells like soap and clean air ( an odd thing to say but it is true). She holds me tight, so tight I have to try my best from wincing away or making a noise of pain as my abdomen screams in pain from where I adorn a new scar.
“Son” when Ma finally speaks her voice is soft, but full of so much emotion, so much sorrow, so much pain that i know this is real, she is real and i am home.
My body starts to shake involuntarily, no doubt from exhaustion and the adrenaline I have seemed to be driving off for the past several weeks. My knees are more dangerously so than the rest of me so Ma makes the first movement leading me over to the, or what can almost be called, sofa moves to help me sit down. But I'm not ready to let go yet. I worry if I let go she’ll vanish the second I do.
Ma seems to understand this and sits down in sync with me. So she continues to hold onto me, her hold still firm as we sit in silence.
After a few minutes her hold comes to firm, not on purpose of course but probably out of a desperation similar to mine to confirm I'm still real. And that my lips I've pressed together to keep me from crying out in pain, part and a pained and pathetic whimper leaves my lips leading me to squeeze Ma in a reflex as if she could somehow ease the pain in me doing so.
“Oh Haymitch.”
And that’s all it takes for me to break as another whimper leaves my lips in response. I try to hold myself back, to give myself some dignity, but this is Ma and just like back in that apartment with Wyatt and Masilysee after Louella's death with Mags…I break.
I’m sobbing loud, ugly and fast in a matter of seconds and Ma just rubs circles on my back soothingly. Oh no…oh Louella…Wyatt and sis… I really hope they can’t see me now.
I don’t know how long I've been crying but i suddenly become aware of another presence Ma clearly isn't and still sobbing and choking on my own snot and tears i peel my face away from where it’s been buried in Ma’s shoulder and i can just about see Sid in doorway clutching the hem of the top he sleeps in, through my tears. He appears shocked, happy and in awe at my presence. I know I should be happy to see him but my stomach plummets as oddly enough nervous butterflies fill my stomach. I never wanted Sid to see me like this, he shouldn't see me like this.
But of course, Sid doesn’t care. He seems to realize I've noticed him and comes bounding over. I carefully detach myself from Ma.
“Haymitch!” He yells in pure joy as he jumps on me, throwing his arms around my neck as he clambers into my lap. Instinctively my hands wrap around his tiny frame.
I go to give something of a reply back but in pulling himself on my lap he accidentally knees me directly in the abdomen, right where my still tender and aching scar is. The pain is instant. Sharp. White-hot. It feels like the cut is opening all over again, like Silka's axe has embedded itself right into my abdomen all over again. My breath catches and my whole body goes rigid, I try to move, I try to breathe again. But my lungs don’t take in the next breath of air as I stay frozen trying to force my body to do something, anything as I still hold Sid, who has seemed to grow confused as to why I'm stuck in one position. Why I'm not ruffling his hair, why I haven't said a single word to him.
Ma’s hand rests on my back, reminding me to breathe properly. But i can’t, my shoulders seize up further and then Ma is pulling a very confused Sid off me. The second he’s off my body is once again trembling, and in a flash I'm clutching my side curling in on myself trying to get any form of air in my lungs, but I can't, I just can’t seem to get my own lungs to function correctly. Did they do something to me in the lab? Can they control my own lungs too? Are they going to kill me this instant? In front of my family? Did I not satisfy them enough? Was Snow so cruel to enjoy my family watching me die in person?
“Son, you have to breathe. Hay, you have to breathe, alright? Steady yourself and clear your head and focus.” Ma is saying to me.
But I look at her through my distorted vision as sharp pain builds in my lungs. I can’t .
Ma then takes to sitting on the floor in front of me and grabs my legs herself to pull them straight and she does it with such gentleness I let her and then, to my surprise, hold my head with both hands forcing me to look at her and looking at ma my breathlessness eases as i realize i could breath i was just breathing too fast.
When my breaths ease a silence succumbed to us and I look around and see Sid is gone. Oh no, I had properly scared him.
“M'sorry Ma” I croak out.
It's the first thing I've actually said since I came home and Ma just deflates and says gently back.
“It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.” Her tone leaves no room for argument.
Too shaky to walk I take refuge on the sofa, and Ma brings me my patchwork quill but not before I finally rid myself of the fancy capitol wear as Ma brings me my own clothes and with a little help I manage to dress. I bury myself into the sheets as Ma places a kiss atop my head and leaves a cool glass of water for me next to the sofa. The tension in my body relaxes and gives way to sleep either through exhaustion or willingly.
-
Muffled voices surround me, hushed, but I can recognize them instantly. It's Ma, Blair and Burdock or rather it’s Burdock and Blair asking my Ma questions while she gives short answers.
I know I need to get up and apologize to Ma for sleeping in late and probably get a move on with filling the cistern. I haven't done it since… since…
My body suddenly jolts up as rush of adrenaline fills me as my mind starts to flash through the games, the capitol and the lab but only in the most gory snippets, then last night? Or early this morning and crying in Ma’s arms and Sid. Oh no, Sid. That's what i need to apologize for, i need to go and apologize for Sid. The poor Kid is properly blaming himself right about now.
“Woah, steady there Hay!” It's burdock.
He comes into my view as his hands are partly outstretched to ground me but are stuck mid-way unsure of how to approach me. I don’t blame him, the animal that I've turned into, that he’s no doubt seen on TV is not someone I'd want to touch either.
In some odd desperation to hope that he doesn't see me that way I lean into the touch and to my surprise Burdock immediately takes me into a hug. But then, who am I kidding it’s burdock, of course he would comfort a murderous animal like myself. He can be stern, stubborn but has a heart of gold above all.
“I’m glad your home Hay” He says once we pull out the hug.
“Yeah, me too.” I say, my voice is still scratchy.
But there's something, some tiny voice in the back of my mind that makes it impossible for me to meet his eyes. Burdock just squeezes my shoulder as he stands while I still sit on the sofa accepting his kindness, kindness I in no way have a right too.
Blair appears and hugs me without a word. Wrapping his arms around me as if it’d been years and not weeks. Although I can’t blame him for that, considering I'm supposed to be dead.
“It’s real good to see you, Hay” Blair says, his voice muffled as we continue to hug.
“You too.” I wince slightly at my reply, it's just as robotic as the last reply I'd given.
I wish i could say something else but...oh i am so selfish-
“Lenore Dove,” I tell them. “I got to go to her.”
I start to get up but Burdock gently steadies me down again.
“Not a chance Hay. She's got a hearing with the base commander today. You showing up ain’t gonna help her.” he says.
Then he turns to Ma, it looks as if he’s asking for permission to speak. When supposedly nods he starts talking again in the same flat but softly sympathetic voice again.
“We’re about to head over to the graveyard anyway.”
That statement gets my stomach to flip and lurch in unpleasant ways as I feel what must be the little color left in my face to drain. It must be visible enough because Burdock shifts subtly but noticeably closer to me with his concern grown more and more visible.
Ma comes over and in one hand is the trousers from the old uncle Silius trousers- the only trousers i now own that don’t say ‘courtesy of the capitol’ so i can understand why Ma is making me dress in these. But in Ma’s other hand is the only thing left of Pa, it’s his wedding jacket. She hands them over to me along with one of my normal shirts I wear to school. It's a muted blue. I dress with minimal help, when pulling on the trousers I notice Ma’s eyes flicker to the angry scar on my thigh and even though it’s not as bad as the one on my abdomen it still pains Ma which adds insult to injury when I change into the shirt and jacket where my other scar becomes visible. They must have seen it in the interview but it looks worse up close.
“Shit Hay” Blair, blunt as ever, blurts out just as I start to button up the shirt.
Burdock elbows him in his side and Ma shoots him a look.
I finish buttoning up the shirt and pull Pa’s jacket over me, its brown frayed and torn edges bring me a sense of security I haven't felt in years since Pa died.
“Let’s get going then.” Ma says ushering me to slowly get up.
Although my body is still riddled in pain, I can’t bear to see the pained look on Ma’s face.
“Wait, where’s Sid?” I ask and I suddenly feel really bad again.
“He’s already gone outside, with the Mc Coys.”
The Mccoys.
I freeze mid-step.
“Hay, they will understand if you can’t talk to them today”
But I know I should, I owe it to Louella… but maybe not today.
Tomorrow.
I simply nod and continue walking.
Once we get outside, there’s already a crowd of mourners. Outside the McCoys house, where one of the wooden boxes I'd left on the platform. For a moment I wonder if it’s really Louella who lays in that box. Is it Lou Lou? But even if they did check, I know I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
I limp along behind them as we start to move towards the graveyard . Ma although shorter than me supports me so i appear less pathetic but it also brings me comfort too.
The mourners grow as we proceed. Everybody should be at work, but they’ll claim they were sick. By the time we reach the graveyard, a couple hundred people have assembled. Seems like a lot compared to Mamaw’s burial, but then I realize we’re not grieving alone.
Four fresh graves await. Louella. Maysilee. Wyatt.
“Who’s the fourth for?” I hear Burdock ask.
“Jethro Callow,” a woman answers, not bothering to lower her voice.
“Hung himself yesterday when his boy returned. Couldn’t bear the shame.”
A Booker Boy’s death. The mayor’s come to speak over our loved ones. The words make no more sense than the chirping of birds in the surrounding trees. Sweat soaks through my shirt into my jacket. I have to retain myself from keeling down and wanting to be buried alongside my fellow tributes but with Ma by my side, supporting me I try my best to maintain my dignity for her and sid who is standing by the mc Coys
But that shatters when there’s a bad moment when I look up and see my ally, wearing her District 12 black, and start for her.
“Maysilee!” Her face crumples into tears, hides in a handkerchief.
Not Maysilee. Merrilee. Like as two peas in a pod. Mr. Donner sobs beside her. I’m led back to my place. Obviously deranged.
“Haymtich.” Ma says softly.
I snap my head to look at her once I'm at her side again, apparently Burdock has led me back to my place. In a panic, I look for disappointment in her eyes but it’s not, it’s worse- it’s sorrow.
I open my mouth to apologize but no sound comes out. Just as helpless I'd been upon seeing Maysilee's dying body.
Coffins are lowered into the graves. Many shovels work to bury the departed. Dirt’s patted down. Some kind soul lays a wreath of wildflowers on each mound. People weep and wail. It’s so awful, I want to run away. Then Burdock begins to sing, in that clear, sweet voice of his:
You’re headed for heaven,
The sweet old hereafter,
And I’ve got one foot in the door.
But before I can fly up,
I’ve loose ends to tie up,
Right here in The old therebefore.
The mockingjays, who nest in the surrounding trees, fall silent as he continues:
I’ll be along when I’ve finished my song,
When I’ve shut down the band,
When I’ve played out my hand,
When I’ve paid all my debts,
When I have no regrets,
Right here in The old therebefore,
When nothing is left anymore.
The mourners have quieted.
When I’m pure like a dove,
When I’ve learned how to love,
Right here in The old therebefore,
When nothing is left anymore.
The song, suggesting our separation is only temporary, consoles the heart. Lenore Dove would approve, I think. The mockingjays do, because they pick up the melody and make it their own.
As my eyes sweep the crowd, I see person after person press the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and then extend it to their dead. Our way of saying good-bye to those we cherished. I follow suit, raising my hand high, because I have so many to honor. The newcomers. My Doves. Louella, Lou Lou, Ampert, Wyatt, Maysilee and Wellie.
Then it’s over. I’m being led away by Ma with a firm grip. Even in my confusion, I notice that Cayson spits on Jethro Callow’s grave. No one reprimands him.
I turn to Ma and she only looks ahead as we head back to the McCoys. Who have taken the mourners back to their place, where bowls of bean and ham hock soup are ladled out. The smell only makes me feel sick with guilt rather than comforted. It’s a reminder of Louella and Maysilee all over again.
I want to leave so badly as I come face to face with the McCoy’s with their eyes full of questions about Louella. I decided to face them tomorrow but Ma has such a firm grip. Part of me wonders if she's worried I'll start talking crazy right there, or wonder off deranged.
She is probably right, if that’s what she thinks. I won’t be able to talk to the McCoys without losing my head. But I know I owe them answers and I can't just leave Ma’s side, because part of me is screaming for safety and Ma is the only person I feel safe with right now.
“Haymitch, it’s real good to have you back.” Mr.McCoy says addressing me.
“Yeah” My voice cracks, “ it feels good to be back.”
Mrs.McCoy nods “we’re glad.”
“Haymtich” when Mr.McCoy speaks again his tone has shifted to be more serious but shaky,I know the question is coming “why weren't you there when she died?”
Those words feel as if I've been axed square on my chest.
"I ain't accusing you of anything, boy. I just want to know why.”
I can feel Ma tense up beside me, about to speak but I beat her to it.
“I was. They cut it.” I could be referring to either Lou Lou or Louella and they would never know “I'm not allowed to say anything else. I’m sorry.”
Even though I don’t know if that's true or not, I don't want to gamble when I've just made it home safe.
“Oh, but-” Mr.McCoy starts.
“Haymitch still has some wounds at risk of infection, I'm sorry to cut this short but perhaps when he’s more up to it.” Ma cuts in instinctively, as if she knows I'm about five seconds from falling apart again, which I'm sure she does.
“We understand, thank you Haymitch.” Mrs.McCoys says, her voice not sharp but still blunt. It is clear she hasn’t been sleeping at all because of the dark circles under her eyes.
Ma steers me away in the direction of the front door as she gestures to Sid who is with the younger McCoy's to follow. He trails behind us as we exit and makes it back to the house.
As soon as the door opens, I'm ready to be sick again. A crisp white envelope lays on the dining room table, my name written in fancy cursive writing.
“What is that?” Ma questions, looking at me with a puzzled look.
I don’t answer, if I open my mouth the only thing that would come out is sick. I turn it over and it’s been sealed with a white wax stamp that has a rose imprinted on the seal. Is this the invitation to Snow's punishment? The timing? The directions?
I manage to unseal the envelope with shaky hands, then I slip the card and the contents that lays in the envelope into my hands. It’s a key. The card writes:
To this victor,
This is your official notice to join your fellow victors in the ‘Victors Village’. As in triumph of your games your winnings will be received in coming days to the address below:
Victors Village, No.4
Congratulations on your victory to honor Panem.
Courteously of the Capitol.
Singed:
Snow
The ink where snow has signed looks too fresh for comfort. I notice Ma leaning over my shoulder, I hand the card to her. I see her eyes read the card once, twice and a third before she lays eyes on the keys.
I know Ma properly doesn't want to leave this home, i don’t either considering it’s all I've ever known. But at that moment there’s a split second decision that passes between us unspoken. Sid. He could grow up here, in worse for wear conditions or in a Victors house with hot running water and heating.
Not a moment after the silent agreement a memory jabs at me and I'm taken back to the arena:
I can barely hear her whisper. “One of us has to win this thing.”
My eyes travel up the long stems to the arrow-shaped leaves, the white petals, concealing us from Capitol cameras.
“Why’s that?” I whisper back.
“One of us has to be the worst victor in history. Tear up their scripts, tear down their celebrations, set fire to the Victor’s Village. Refuse to play their game.”
All I can think now is; I’m sorry sis. Pathetic, but that’s not new.
I’ve got to protect the family I have alive and I'll be breaking the promise I made to my sister to do that. Ma gently squeezes my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Let’s get something to eat, then we’ll head over.”
I nod.
“Head over where?” Sid asks, curiosity in his voice breaking the somber atmosphere.
“Victors village-” I’m about to say ‘buddy’ but I involuntarily cut my self off with a shutter.
Ampert was my ‘buddy’ too.
“Wait, we get to live there now?” Sid, seemingly oblivious to my shutter, continues to look for answers to his questions.
“Yeah we do.” I say, I try to sound enthusiastic but it comes out as being more sarcastic, which is fine because Sid seems too thrilled to notice.
Too busy concentrating on my conversation with Sid I don't even notice Ma answering the door to Burdock and Blair.
I look up when I hear “ Hay.” Burdock goes to continue but stops when he sees the envelope which is still in my hand.
“What is that?” He asks, his brows frowning in concern.
“A notice. To move into victor's village and about the winnings.” I say.
“So, you’re gonna move in then?” Burdock says, addressing me and Ma.
“Seems like the best idea.” I reply, once again the ‘for Sid’ goes unspoken.
“Come and get us when you move your things then.” Blair speaks up and Burdock nods along.
“Thanks.” I say, giving the best of a smile I can.
“Thank you, boys.” Ma says.
The atmosphere gets awkward after that. It’s an odd feeling, I can't recall once when anything has ever felt awkward around Burdock and Blair even when I first met them.
I clear my throat, gaining the attention of everyone.
“Is there any word on what's happening to Lenore Dove?” I ask, my voice wavers.
Burdock shakes his head “ Nah, CC and Tam Amber are waiting for notice now.”
I nod, and that’s as far as that conversation goes. Although now the best thing is to wait for word. Let her uncles plead her case. With so many kids lost in the Quarter Quell, the districts are in a state of unrest. The base commander won’t be looking to throw gasoline on the fire in 12. Lenore Dove may be let go with a stern lecture and time served. I’m hoping that will be the case but there’s a tugging in my chest- “ enjoy your homecoming.”
If I continue to think like the lucky fool I believe myself to be in having my family alive, here and well then I’ll be at risk of not seeing my punishment in time, when it comes. I don’t want to miss the poisons in my oysters, or my family's, or my friends, or Lenore Doves.
“Why don’t we head over and see what we're dealing with? I have no doubt that place has been collecting for a long while now.” Ma says.
“Okay.” I nod stiffly. “Burdie, Blair, wanna come along?”
“Alright then.” Burdock says, an expression crosses his face I can’t place.
“Yeah, maybe we’ll get a taste of the capitol life, ey?” Blair jokes.
I know he's trying to lighten things the best way he can so I manage a smile. Although I'm sure it looks painful at best.
–
We walked slowly towards victor's village, the seam completely deserted, all still gathered at the McCoy's. Sid kicks rocks along the path as we walk, he seems to get some things off. I’ll need to apologize to him soon. I never should have told him he was the man of the house. He’s too young. So small. He can barely comprehend the games. He just understood it meant death. So what will he think of them now? I watch as Sid continues to walk with a grim expression on his face, an expression I've never seen him wear. I hate it. Why can’t Ampert have a normal childhood–
Wait Ampert? What am I talking about? Sid is Sid and Ampert is dead, he didn't have a normal childhood, he didn't even survive it.
“Hay” a gentle voice cuts through my train of thought as a gentle hand squeezes my upper arm “you alright?”
I snap my head in the direction of Burdock. I must have stopped walking without realizing.
“Yeah.” I say brushing off as I continue to walk.
I notice out of the corner of my eye that Burdock and Blair share a look with Ma.
Sid lets out a sound of awe getting all our attention. We have arrived at victor village. As we walk into the street, I instantly feel stuck down by the huge marble mansions that adorn either side of the green. I swallow and look down at the envelope again. It says number 4, so we find number four. Sid can’t keep his eyes on one place, he swivels around taking in the surroundings. I can see a soft amusement playing on Ma’s lips as she watches him.
We walk the steps to the house and I unlock the door. When the front door swings open, it doesn’t creak like the doors back home. It glides smoothly on polished hinges. In an instant the smell of fresh wood, soap, and something sweet and artificial, nothing like the smoke and coal and damp earth of District 12.
The entryway opens into a wide sitting room with ceilings so high they seem to make Sid dizzy as he spins around looking upwards to get a better look . Sunlight pours in through enormous windows framed with thick cream-colored curtains that pool neatly on the polished floor. The floors themselves are made of smooth, golden wood, buffed so clean they shine faintly in the light.
There’s furniture everywhere, but it’s arranged with a kind of careful perfection that makes it feel untouched. A deep green sofa sits in the center of the room, its cushions thick and soft, with matching armchairs placed on either side. A low wooden table rests in front of it, completely empty except for a small decorative bowl filled with fake fruit that looks almost real if you don’t stare too closely. A stone fireplace dominates one wall, its mantle carved with delicate patterns. No soot stains it. No ashes sit in the grate. It looks like something meant to be admired, not used. To the side, a wide staircase curves upward with a polished wooden banister that gleams under the light. The color pallet reminds me of the ones they use to represent the districts during interviews. Does district 3 have electric blue sofas?
The steps are covered in thick carpet that swallows the sound of footsteps. As I step onto it once and almost startle at how quiet it is. Just like the Heavensbee’s mansion.
Beyond the sitting room is a dining area with a table long enough to seat eight people–eight– and matching chairs lined up perfectly around it. The kitchen attached to it is spotless. Bright white counters, cabinets filled with dishes that match, shining metal appliances he’s never seen before.
“This is incredible!” Sid breaks the silence we’ve been holding since entering.
“I guess.” I mumble.
It’s nice and all but…It’s too capitol.
I look at Ma to see her reaction. She looks puzzled. I guess Ma doesn't know what to do with a space like this having spent her whole life in the seam.
“Well, it's certainly something.” Burdock tries putting a positive spin on the situation.
“Why don’t we check down the Hallway then Hay?” Blair says, he clearly understands that I have no idea what to do with myself.
“Sure.”
We continue down the Hallway. There’s a cupboard, then a guest bedroom with a perfectly made bed that no one has ever slept in. A bathroom bigger than the entire wash space back home, with a porcelain tub so deep it could probably swallow a person whole. Then a door that opens to reveal the study. I can’t hide the gasp that escapes my mouth. The wall’s have shelf’s embedded into them with- despite being capitol- beautiful carved wood borders. All selves stacked with books, without a single space to spare. Lenore Dove is going to go nuts when she sees this.
In the center of the room is a large wooden desk and a chair with a big grand window that spans most of the room to overlook the back garden.
“ I bet you’re thinking about showing this to Lenore Dove?” Blair teases.
My face flushes red.
“Told ya Birdie.”
I hear Burdock let out a small snicker.
I’m about to reply when Sid comes running in and saving me from my embarrassment.
“Come on, we have to see upstairs!” He grabs my hand and drags me along.
I’m glad to see Sid acting so excited because I'm certainly not. Aside from the study, this place is too capital for me. Hopefully the bedrooms have a chance to make up for it. But I know that's too hopeful.
Sid drags me up the too polished wooden steps onto the landing. It opens onto a long hallway, far larger than it has any reason to be with the same muffling carpet.
The hallway branches off in both directions, lined with identical doors spaced evenly along the walls. Each one has a smooth brass handle that gleams when the light hits it.
The first room Sid pushes open is a bedroom.
It’s enormous.
The bed alone looks big enough to sleep four people, dressed in crisp white sheets tucked so tightly, A thick black quilt, with careful stitching, is folded neatly across the end. The pillows are stacked perfectly. Across from the bed sits a dark wooden dresser with a wide mirror attached to the back. The surface is spotless. There’s a small sitting chair near the window, upholstered in soft fabric, and beside it a little table with a lamp. The windows upstairs are just as large as the ones below, framed with heavy curtains tied neatly to the sides. From here the rest of Victor’s Village can be seen.
Sid dances around to the rest of the remaining doors, simply for the fun of being able to open so many doors. There’s a total of four bedrooms he’s opened now including the first one, along with two luxurious bathrooms. It's getting ridiculous, but I suppose this is what a mansion is like. The final bedroom door at the end of the corridor- one that supposedly overlooks the garden- is locked when Sid tries it.
“Haymitch! It says something on the door. Maybe that’s why it’s locked.” Sid says, frowning, he is too short to see it.
And he’s right. As I approach I see a silver plague on the door. A chill goes down my spine when I see it. Not what it says. But how out of place it looks.
In, what looks like Snow's handwriting is the word “victor” on the door.
“Why don’t you go find Ma and see if she has any idea of how to open the door? Or find the key? I don’t know where I put it.” I say carefully.
Because I do know where I put it. It’s in my right pocket. But if this is meant for me, I don’t want Sid involved.
“Alright.” says and I hear him almost jumping down the stairs.
I pull the key from my pocket and then with shaking hands I put it in the key hole, hear a click, twist it and unlock the door. It swings open and I initially freeze but quickly recover. The room looks normal- it is even bigger than the other ones in the house and has a bathroom attached. The bed is even bigger- it's a four poster bed, unlike the others, and has too many pillows. The window is huge with a bigger ledge- no doubt I could comfortably sit there. The bed however- I draw my attention back to it once I enter the room.
My stomach tightens before my mind can fully process what I'm seeing.
Resting carefully on the perfect white sheets is a single flower, placed right in the center of the bed like it belongs there. Its petals are soft and pale, layered neatly together, not a single edge bruised or bent. Pristine.
A single white rose.