Jacob's body was marked by a series of scars, witnesses to his arduous training and the challenges he had faced since arriving in this world. The scars on his arms and legs were reminders of the blows and cuts endured during his training, while the marks on his chest and back were evidence of the moments when he had received impactful hits from the makeshift weapons he had been testing.
Despite the scars, Jacob did not allow them to hinder his ongoing training and improvement. Every night, after a day of intense practice, he devoted himself to perfecting his skills in darkness. With his eyes closed, he imagined having a weapon in his hand, whether it was a knife, a sword, or any other weapon he was mastering at that moment, and he would strike towards nonexistent targets.
He moved his body with grace and precision, relying on his muscle memory and intuition to perform the correct movements. With his eyes closed, he could focus on his technique without visual distractions, letting his instinct and connection with the weapon guide each movement.
Practicing with closed eyes at night was a time of deep concentration and connection with his body. Jacob immersed himself in a state of flow, moving in tune with the rhythm of his breathing and relying on his ability to react quickly to any situation.
As he progressed in his training, Jacob noticed that his dexterity and precision increased. His movements became smoother and more coordinated, as if the weapon and his body were one entity. Practicing with closed eyes not only strengthened his physical abilities but also taught him to trust his instincts and maintain composure in combat situations.
The scars on his body were reminders of his effort and past mistakes, but they also represented his determination and perseverance. Each mark was a symbol of his dedication and willingness to face any challenge that came his way in his quest to become a skilled warrior.
He was sure that when he struck those boys his age who had attacked his brother, he smiled—a smile filled with satisfaction at seeing them cry and beg him to stop. He didn't deny it; he felt fear when one of those boys pulled out a long knife.
He still sometimes remembered the blood on his hands, the adrenaline rush, and the feeling of taking a life with his own hands. If anything consoled him, it was self-defense, just like he would be in the Hunger Games arena. No matter how many he had to kill, everything would serve a much greater purpose.
"I will kill whoever I have to kill to survive. I will return home and prove my innocence," murmured Jacob as he opened his cold eyes in the middle of his room.
...
While Jacob tried to go back to sleep, Katniss was on a balcony overlooking the exterior of the towering structure. She was reading the book she held in her hands, and Jacob's fabricated story was truly false and disgusted her.
When Katniss reached the part where her father was mentioned, she became angry for a moment until she remembered that Jacob had also worked in the mines before volunteering as a tribute. Who knows? Maybe if they had met, everything could have been different.
She couldn't deny that it was a very convincing story, something even she could believe of other tributes. Without a doubt, Jacob's plan was very good, and he had nothing to lose by putting it into action.
In the end, she and Jacob would use each other to reach the final or survive longer, as he said. Regardless of what happened, one of them from District Twelve had to win this time, and she believed he was very right about that.
...
Jacob's night was filled with dreams and somewhat disturbing nightmares. Tonight, he dreamt of dying with a long sword impaled in his chest, and whenever he looked at who killed him, his brother's face always appeared in the end.
That face was the same as his own, and it disgusted him. He wanted to peel off the skin on his face, but that wouldn't work, so now all he had to do was endure.
The morning light began to enter through the windows, and the Capitol had a misty and enchanted air. Jacob once again woke up to the sound of his intelligent assistant, looked at this unfamiliar ceiling, and quickly recalled where he was supposed to be. If not for the alarm from his orb, waking up would have been difficult.
Jacob got out of bed after his vision focused perfectly, then entered the shower and with the help of his intelligent assistant's explanation on how to use it, he simply pressed some buttons on the control panel, and the water flowed smoothly, not too cold but not warm either.
The water gently hit his skin, releasing the accumulated tensions and refreshing him completely.
Jacob closed his eyes and immersed himself in the relaxing sensation of the water cascading over him. He let his thoughts flow and evaporate with each drop, focusing only on the present moment and the tranquility provided by the morning shower.
He took the soap and lathered it between his hands, creating a soft and fragrant foam. He began to cleanse his body with gentle yet vigorous movements, making sure to cover every inch of his skin. The fresh and clean aroma filled the air as he rinsed, leaving his skin smooth and revitalized.
The water continued to fall, carrying away any worries or tensions that Jacob might have. He took his time, enjoying the comforting and rejuvenating sensation of the shower. He closed his eyes once again, allowing the water to completely envelop him, creating an oasis of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of the day.
After a few minutes, Jacob finished his morning shower. He turned off the faucet and stepped out of the shower, wrapping himself in a soft and cozy towel. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw a man ready to face the day, with a serene gaze and renewed energy.
The morning shower had given him a fresh start, refreshing his mind and preparing him for any challenges he might encounter. Feeling clean, renewed, and ready to take on the world, Jacob left the bathroom with a smile on his face, ready to make each day his best version of himself.
After briefly getting dressed, Jacob only focused on drying his hair and then left his room. Haymitch hadn't given them an exact time for breakfast, and no one had called him, but Jacob was hungry, so he went to the dining hall.
There was absolutely no one there, but Jacob didn't mind. A young boy, an Avox, waited for instructions near the banquet.
"Can you bring me my lunch?" Although he knew they were there to serve the tributes before the games, Jacob had nothing to lose by asking.
Seeing the Avox nod, Jacob smiled and said, "Bring me whatever, but make sure most of it has plenty of sugar, and I need fruit."
After hearing Jacob's instructions, the Avox brought him a plate of eggs, sausages, pastries covered in orange jam, slices of light purple melon, two large milkshakes, and a plate of fruits.
While Jacob ate in silence, he used his worn-out tool in his right hand to improve his grip. This meal had a lot of calories, which, although not very beneficial, would help him gain a few extra kilograms for the arena.
After finishing the essential food, Jacob ordered more pastries and another milkshake as he walked toward the table.
"I will win the games, I always win..." Jacob murmured, and upon hearing movements behind him, he saw Katniss enter the dining hall slowly.
"Good morning, Jacob."
"Katniss, it seems like I woke up early again today." Jacob felt that Katniss was different, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was, so he focused on finishing his pastries.