fandom: the hunger games pairing:hayffie :) rating: E (borderline M and E, put it at E to be safe) artwork by:@chewytran (10/10 highly recommend for commissions, chewy is the greatest!)
summary:
After Haymitch Abernathy’s stunt at the end of the 50th Quarter Quell, the Capitol needed to put him in his place. Instead of simply killing his loved ones, they released a virus on them along with anyone known to be associated with a potential rebellion against the Capitol. Previously healthy individuals became driven by the desire to consume flesh and stopped at nothing to satiate their thirst. Within days, the virus was out of control and ravaged its way across each district, causing the collapse of civilization in Panem and effectively putting an end to the Hunger Games.
24 years later, Panem is a barren wasteland, and Haymitch is searching for a missing child who hasn’t returned from a supply run when he comes across a nomad, Effie Trinket, who is the last survivor of her group. They work together and come across clues regarding the origin of the virus, including signs that the supposedly-destroyed District 13 might not be gone after all… and they might even have a cure…
excerpt:
She had been gone for two days.
The trip should’ve taken less than 14 hours total.
A cough interrupted Haymitch’s thoughts, and he looked over at the feverish teen laying in the bed. Peeta’s face was dotted along the edges with sweat, and his chest heaved every few minutes as his breath became shallower.
“I don’t know how much longer he can go without medication.”
Haymitch looked up from the bed to meet grey eyes. “I know.”
Katniss let out a shaky breath. “She should be back by now.”
“I know.”
The teenager rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. “We shouldn’t have let her go alone.”
“I know .” He sighed and pressed his lips together in a thin line before standing up. “Alright… you stay here with Peeta. I’m gonna find Prim and bring her - and the medication - back.” He grabbed the bag he had packed 12 hours ago - just in case - and shouldered it. “If I’m not back in a day–”
“You will be,” Katniss interrupted, keeping her eyes trained on Peeta and giving him no room to argue.
He nodded and sighed, grabbing the always-present elastic off of his wrist and pulling his hair up and out of his face. “Keep an ear out for any walkers.” He laid a hand on Peeta’s forehead, feeling the fire still raging within him. “Stay alive, kid,” he whispered before setting foot out the door into the cool morning air.
