"I'm going to do it now..." Jacob, who was practicing archery, looked at Thresh in the distance.
Katniss, who heard this, shot the arrow from her bow to a fixed point she was aiming at. "Do you think he will agree with your proposal?"
¡Ahs!
The string in Katniss' hands was released, and the arrow shot out at high speed. To the eyes of others, she had missed, but in her eyes, it hit the target exactly where she wanted.
"Well, you met Rue, and I think we would make a striking group..." Jacob was uncertain, as anything could happen with his bold proposal, so he made no promises.
"Well, here I go..."
Jacob approached stealthily towards the boy from District 11, Thresh, as he trained in the tribute training field. He knew it wouldn't be easy to gain his trust, but he was determined to try. Thresh remained alert when he saw Jacob approaching, aware of Jacob's reputation for taking blows during training sessions, waiting for him to say something.
Jacob approached slowly, avoiding any abrupt gestures that could arouse Thresh's suspicion. He looked around, making sure there were no Peacekeepers nearby who could overhear their conversation.
"Hey, Thresh," Jacob said softly, trying to sound friendly. "It seems that you have the highest chances of survival among the lower districts, not being a career tribute..."
"What do you want?" Thresh asked as he stopped what he was doing. The guards focused their gaze on the two of them, ready to intervene at any moment if the situation arose.
"Katniss, the girl who is with me from District 12, met Rue... I know it may seem strange that we're talking, but we are tributes after all. We are not enemies here."
Thresh frowned, his gaze fixed on Jacob. He didn't seem convinced by his words and remained on high alert. It was understandable, considering the competitive nature of the Hunger Games and the cruelty with which everyone can play just to survive.
Jacob decided to take a different approach. "Look, Thresh, I know the career tributes have a clear advantage over us. But what if we help each other? I can be of great use in the arena, and I'm sure you and Rue also have valuable skills that could enhance our chances of survival in the games."
Thresh seemed to consider Jacob's proposal. It was evident that he had his doubts, but the idea of forming an alliance in such a hostile environment could be tempting.
Jacob continued, with a touch of persuasion in his tone. "The private evaluation is coming up. And if I'm not mistaken, I have a real chance of getting the highest score. If I achieve that, what do you say about being allies? We can help each other and increase our chances of survival. I can tell my mentor, and he can establish the alliance by talking to yours."
Thresh watched Jacob closely, evaluating his words. A few moments of tense silence passed before he finally spoke. "I don't trust people easily, Jacob. But if you can prove yourself trustworthy, we might consider it."
Jacob nodded, understanding the challenge he had ahead. "I understand, Thresh. I'll do my best to prove it."
Although Thresh didn't give a definitive answer and still showed some mistrust, Jacob knew he had planted a seed of possibility in his mind. Now, he just needed to prove his worth in the private evaluation and show that he was someone Thresh and Rue could trust.
With that hope in mind, Jacob walked away from Thresh, giving him space to consider the offer. He knew he had a long way to go to earn his complete trust, but he was determined to do it. His survival in the Hunger Games could depend on it.
As he walked back to where Katniss was, she immediately approached Jacob and asked, "How did it go?"
"It's better than I expected..." Jacob glanced towards the boy from District 11, who was still balancing an ax.
The night had fallen over the Capitol, enveloping Jacob, Katniss, Haymitch, and Effie in a tense atmosphere in the dining room. Haymitch, the seasoned mentor from previous games, and Effie, the colorful Capitol escort, interrogated both of them about their activities of the day.
"Tell me everything you did today!" Haymitch exclaimed in his characteristic raw and direct tone. His narrowed eyes and carefree attitude made it clear that he wasn't willing to tolerate half-truths.
Katniss, somewhat nervous, spoke first. "Well, Jacob and I spent a large part of the day training together. It was an interesting experience." She admitted, without immediately mentioning Jacob's alliance proposal.
However, Jacob, with his usual disinterested look, decided not to hide the truth. "It's true, Haymitch. During our training, I approached the tributes from District Eleven, Thresh and Rue, and proposed an alliance. I believe we could benefit from each other in the arena."
As he said this, Jacob briefly revealed his entire plan to his allies, but always maintaining a calm tone of voice.
Haymitch frowned, chewing on Jacob's words. His face showed a subtle gesture of concern that no one noticed as he processed the information. "Really? Do you think it's a good idea to ally with them? We know nothing about their skills or intentions," he responded skeptically.
Effie, on the other hand, seemed excited about Jacob's proposal. "Oh, dear, that was a clever move! The diversity of skills and unity in the arena could give you a significant advantage," she exclaimed, trying to inject some optimism into the conversation.
Jacob, aware of Haymitch's doubts, decided to defend his position. "Haymitch, I understand your concerns, but Thresh and Rue are strong and fast. Furthermore, if we forge an alliance, we could gain more attention and support from the Capitol. We can't afford to dismiss any opportunity," he argued, emphasizing all the good they would gain.
Haymitch sighed, acknowledging the logic in Jacob's words. Although he still had his reservations, he understood that in the Hunger Games, strategy and alliances could make the difference between life and death.
"Alright, kids. If you think it's the best option, I'll go along with your plan. But remember, in the games, you can never fully trust anyone," Haymitch warned, mixing experience and distrust.
The conversation continued, with Jacob and Katniss explaining in detail their interactions with Thresh and Rue, while Haymitch and Effie analyzed possible scenarios and strategies. The night became a whirlwind of ideas, challenges, and hopes as the tributes from District Twelve prepared to face the imminent and dangerous challenge of the Hunger Games.
...
In the solitude of his room, Jacob was lost in his thoughts when a monotone and cold voice resonated in the air. It was his intelligent assistant, an invisible sphere floating in the center of the room, visible only to Jacob.
The intelligent assistant began reciting the assessments taken on the deadliest tributes from the other districts. Emotionless in its voice, it listed their skills, strategies, and strengths. It mentioned the battles they had participated in and the victories they had achieved.
Jacob listened attentively, absorbing every word seriously. His analytical mind captured every detail, every clue that could help him confront these lethal opponents. The cold and calculating tone of the intelligent assistant didn't bother him; on the contrary, he found some comfort in its unflappability.
As the list of tributes unfolded, Jacob mentally took note of the characteristics he needed to consider. He memorized fighting styles, preferred weapons, and tactics used by each one. He knew this information would be valuable in the arena, where every encounter could be decisive.
While the intelligent assistant continued its monologue, Jacob immersed himself in his own strategy, visualizing possible scenarios and considering how to leverage his own skills. He knew that the road ahead would be dangerous, but he was determined to face it with cunning and determination.