If I told you a secret you won't tell a soul

Will you hold it and keep it alive?

- Travis, Love Will Come Through

Haymitch Abernathy had been pacing back and forth like a man possessed for the past several hours, swearing and screaming at the scenes unfolding in the Quarter Quell arena below, under the vigilant eye of Effie Trinket. She sat uncharacteristically silent for once, blue eyes wide and intent, watching both Haymitch and her tributes with equal scrutiny.

Then, down in the arena, Katniss Everdeen and her famous archery skills blew out the arena forcefield. Everything went searingly white hot for long moments as the power overloaded and then faded to blessed black.

It took several seconds for backup generators to spark to life in the control rooms. The muted hum brought the lights up to a soft level, and the distant sound of confused voices floated quietly in the air. Haymitch rubbed at his eyes for a few seconds to gather his bearings, grimacing to clear his retinas of jagged spots.

Effie remained sitting on the couch, her eyes closed as if in silent prayer, teeth worrying at her lower lip. She pulled her feet up and tucked them under her demurely when she heard his approach.

"You should leave now." She said quietly.

Haymitch looked at her puzzled, wondering why for once in his life this infuriating woman was not bombarding him with pointless questions.

"Effie?"

Her expressive hands fluttered in front of her like some sort of exotic butterfly, shooing him away. One settled unconsciously against the hollow of her throat, touching the piece of jewellery resting there. The mockingjay gleamed brightly against her pale skin.

Haymitch raked his hand through unkempt hair.

"Well, shit."

She opened her eyes then and looked at him curiously as if she were seeing him for the first time. Haymitch Abernathy – the rebel. Her smile was hesitant and genuine as she touched his arm.

"Go," she chided, "before it is too late."

Haymitch fiercely grabbed at her delicate fingers with their ridiculous nails. He could not comprehend these words coming from this stupid, shallow woman who pissed him off so.

"What do you know?" he hissed urgently, trying to pull her to her feet.

"Nothing..." She looked away, corrected herself a small frown marring her features. "Enough... More than I should..."

There was a finality to her tone, a heaviness of acceptance of what she was saying. Haymitch felt a stirring of panic rise in his chest.

"You're not coming are you?"

She shook her head, and rewarded him with another dazzling smile from smudged blue lips.

"I am from the Capitol, Haymitch. I will be fine. This is my part to play."

She unhooked his fingers and rose gracefully. There was a brown leather bag nestled under the small coffee table. She passed it to him. It clunked heavily in his grasp.

"What's this?"

"Supplies..." She trailed off at his incredulous look. "Water, food... it is my job as Escort to District 12 to keep you organised you know!" She pushed him gently, like an errant schoolboy rather than an escaping rebel leader. "Go now, go on."

He stumbled baffled towards the door, not able to quite grasp what had just happened. He did not know this Effie, this woman who was fighting his cause in her own quiet way. He turned, wanting to say something, anything, to reassure her, but coming up blank.

"Effie... Stay alive."

She nodded, hand clenched around her necklace like a talisman. Under the layers of powder he could see fear etched upon her face. She didn't know what she had let herself in for - and he only hopes Snow won't be too hard on her.

And then he runs.