Chapter 57: A New Direction
"When have I been deceiving myself about my desire to live, to return to my original world, and prove my innocence?" Jacob found himself surrounded by darkness, trapped in a terrible nightmare from which he couldn't wake up.
Leaving his reality had brought him a sense of relief from his growing madness, anxiety, and outbursts of anger. Being imprisoned, unable to be released on bail, and separated from his family through clear words had tormented Jacob, even if he got involved in other things that demanded his full attention in a new and terrifying world.
The torture at work in the deep mines, that hatred and pain were directed solely at one person, and that was himself. He was foolish to get involved with his brother, Ethan. Yes, Ethan had simply pushed him away because he was a problem within their family.
Jacob's parents, especially his mother, had shown favoritism towards Ethan, and if you asked him, he could confidently say that it's something every sibling struggles with in a family. No matter what mistakes the favored child makes, if they're the same age and it's a general situation, the less favored child is considered guilty.
Time and time again, Jacob felt suffocated and alone, and he still feels that way because, from as long as he can remember, he knows and hints at things that others seem not to know, and in most cases, things that others do not want to know. He had once read that loneliness is beautiful, but that's only if you know how to live with it. The worst loneliness is not the absence of people by your side, but the loneliness where you cannot communicate the things that seem important to you or suppress other viewpoints because certain people would find them unacceptable.
"Sorry, Rue. I'm so sorry..." Jacob, kneeling in what seemed to be water, couldn't lift his gaze from the guilt that consumed him.
Jacob was immersed in a deep nightmare filled with regret. In the dark abyss of his mind, he found himself facing his own guilt for Rue's death. A torrent of pain and remorse filled his thoughts, making him question his own decisions.
He regretted entering the Hunger Games, exposing his life and the lives of other tributes to brutality and death. He reproached himself for succumbing to the idea that this world was merely a means to escape his own pain and forget his past.
As his nightmare grew more intense, Jacob was invaded by visions of the people in the Capitol, with their narcissism and indifference towards the suffering of the districts. Each grotesque face and empty smile heightened his discontent and thirst for justice.
In that moment, a change took place deep within him. A flame ignited inside him, fueled by pain and regret. Jacob made a bold decision: he would rise against the Capitol, become a leader of the revolution, and free the districts from oppression.
With determination in his eyes, Jacob emerged from the darkness of his nightmare and lifted his gaze. And there, in the corner of his vision, he saw Rue. A radiant smile illuminated her face, and in a barely perceptible whisper, she said, "thank you."
Jacob's heart filled with a profound sense of purpose. In that instant, he understood that his struggle was not only for himself but also for those who had lost their lives in these deadly games. It was his duty to honor Rue's memory and that of all the fallen, by building a world where oppression and violence belonged to the past.
Jacob's determination solidified, and he vowed not to rest until he saw the Capitol overthrown and the districts liberated. The memory of Rue and her smile became his guide, a flame of hope that would propel him on his path to revolution.
From this moment on, Jacob committed himself to fight with all his might, to awaken the other tributes and citizens of the districts, urging them to join his cause. There would be no more regrets or doubts in his path. He had become the voice of those who couldn't speak and the symbol of a revolution yet to come.
And so, with the burning determination in his chest, Jacob set out to change the destiny of Panem and build a future where injustice and oppression were mere distant memories. Rue's smile would always remain in his heart, reminding him of the importance of his fight and giving him the strength to move forward.
"I will liberate everyone from tyranny..."
…
"Run, keep running!"
Katniss and Thresh, carrying the unconscious Jacob in their arms, were forced to abandon their refuge in the middle of the night after the explosion that revealed their location. Taking advantage of the scarce darkness, Katniss gathered whatever belongings she could carry while holding Rue in her arms, and they ventured into the darkness, trying to escape any lurking danger.
The path was uncertain and tense. Every step they took resonated in their ears like a threatening echo. Fear took hold of their thoughts, but they couldn't afford to give up. Jacob's life hung by a thread, and it was imperative to find a safe place as soon as possible to attend to Jacob's wounds.
In their desperate escape, Thresh led the way with a cold and determined look in his eyes. He felt the responsibility to protect Jacob and was not willing to abandon him in this critical moment.
Suddenly, as they ventured into the darkness, an unexpected figure appeared before them. Thresh raised his weapon, took a step forward, and was about to attack the figure emerging from the darkness.
"Wait!"
It was Foxface, the girl from District 5. Thresh was about to attack her, but Katniss stopped him in his tracks. They knew they couldn't afford any more conflicts in their current state; they needed Foxface's help if they wanted any chance of survival.
Katniss, with Rue still in her arms, spoke to Foxface, seeking assistance. She explained the critical situation they were in and the urgent need to find a safe shelter for Jacob. Foxface, although initially distrustful, took pity on their situation and decided to offer them her help.
"Follow me!"
A glimmer of hope rekindled in Katniss' heart. Even though Rue was dead and the prospects seemed bleak, she knew they couldn't give up. They trusted Foxface and followed her in search of a safe place.
As they advanced, the weight of tragedy and uncertainty clung to their thoughts. Jacob's life hung by a thread, and Katniss couldn't help but feel a mix of pain, guilt, and a desire not to give up. Rue's death weighed heavily on her, but she also held onto the promise she made to her fallen friend: to protect her allies and fight for their lives.
Amidst the darkness, whispers of pain and sighs of exhaustion could be heard. Every step was a struggle, but they knew they couldn't stop. Time was relentless, and the threat constant.
"This is a cave, I found it while searching for a safe place to hide from the other competitors..."
Finally, guided by Foxface, they found a hidden and secure place to rest and heal Jacob's wounds. Katniss did everything she could to stabilize his condition and seek additional help. Hope returned, albeit weakly, and they held onto it with all their might.
The night continued its relentless march, enveloping the survivors in its dark cloak. Rue had fallen, but her memory and spirit propelled them to keep fighting. Jacob's fate hung by a thread, but they were not willing to let him fall. Together, Katniss, Thresh, and Foxface prepared to face what was to come and fight for their survival in the Hunger Games.
...
A few hundred meters from Jacob and the others' position, a group of competitors ran through the bushes with great excitement.
A group of professional tributes from Districts 1 and 2, led by Cato, was nearby, chatting cheerfully about their next victims. In their arrogance, they didn't perceive the sinister scent of blood that permeated the air.
"Do you smell that? Something isn't right here." Cato lowered his voice and slowed down. As a professional tribute, he couldn't ignore these kinds of signals.
Clove furrowed her brow and pointed, "I told you, Cato. This place isn't safe. We should get away."
Upon hearing these words, Cato became annoyed and retorted, "Don't be a coward, Clove. We can't allow fear to control us. Let's move forward and see what we find."
Marvel held a spear and chimed in, "I agree with Cato. We can't be intimidated by a mere scent of blood."
Glimmer, who appeared the most hesitant, asked, "Do you really think there's something dangerous here? It's just speculation."
"These aren't speculations, Glimmer. Look around! There are clear signs of a fierce fight." Clove pointed her knife towards the trees.
Cato gripped his sword and said, "Alright, I'll take it into account. But for now, we keep going."
As they ventured deeper into the battlefield area, the signs of violence and chaos became more evident. There were traces of battles, claw marks, and mutated beasts everywhere. Blood stained the ground, creating a macabre landscape before their eyes.
"Oh my God!"
"This is..."
An uneasy silence enveloped the group as they realized the devastation surrounding them. Marvel spoke with a serious tone, informing the rest that the group occupying that place had been attacked by mutated beasts.
"We need to walk in formation; there might be more mutated beasts nearby."
"I don't like this..."
Just as they were about to retreat, a rabbit approached them, unaware of the danger they represented. Glimmer, ready to shoot with her bow, prepared to eliminate the small creature. However, in an unexpected twist of fate, the rabbit stepped on one of the landmines Jacob had received as a sponsorship.
Boom!
The deafening explosion caused everyone to instinctively crouch, protecting themselves from the shockwave and flying debris. Smoke and dust filled the air as the group tried to recover from the impact.
"What was that?"
Once the explosion subsided and the smoke cleared, the group stood up with expressions of astonishment and sobriety on their faces. The reality of the brutality of the Hunger Games had imposed itself abruptly and mercilessly.
"Mines, the place is mined!"
Cato, with slight injuries on his face, coldly surveyed the corpses of the slain mutated beasts and knew that the course of these games was changing. Therefore, he changed direction.
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