14 A reflection

Jacob woke up as usual, but today was a special day for all the districts in the world. As he remembered, today the tributes who would participate in the Hunger Games would be chosen.

At first, Jacob thought he was in a completely different time, but this was just a thought as there was nothing he could relate to. Since he arrived in this place, from the first day and exactly one year later, he had done nothing but survive the terrible conditions in District 12.

Today he woke up with a sense of apprehension that filled his being. It was not an ordinary day in District Twelve; it was Reaping Day. The sun was just beginning to rise above the mountains, illuminating the impoverished and worn-out streets of the district.

He got out of bed with heaviness, feeling the weight of uncertainty with every step he took. As he prepared for the day, he could hear the unsettling murmurs filling the air. Families moved about in a hurry, exchanging words of encouragement and hugs filled with fear.

As the orb had said, if he wanted to return to his happiness, he had to participate in the Hunger Games. With all this in mind, having a larger avatar in his body's age, he had to train it with the little time allowed to survive in this way of life.

During this time, he worked like any other young person would. He had no family here, and Jacob was grateful for that because it meant he didn't have certain concerns about his drastic personality changes. But in retrospect, he knew how to adapt to living, as it wasn't just living, but surviving.

At first, he wondered how to find his house, but that task was easily answered by the orb flying around him, visible only to him. Truth be told, Jacob still believed that this object was the best tool he could have obtained, as it could be very useful even in this devastated world.

Upon rising, he dressed in the best clothes he had after washing his body of most of the dirt. It must be said that baths were an inconvenience, cold and far removed from any comfort one could enjoy in their own reality.

Jacob was in his modest kitchen, surrounded by the scarce ingredients he had managed to gather with so much effort. Over the course of a year, he had saved every penny, sacrificing small luxuries to have something more substantial in his hands today.

With trembling yet determined hands, he began to prepare his lunch. He took a small portion of rice, just enough to temporarily satisfy his hunger. His eyes wandered to the tin of sardines he had carefully guarded, like a treasure amidst scarcity.

He opened the can carefully, savoring each bite in anticipation. They were the last sardines left in the district, and he had bought them with his savings. He knew today was a special day, a day when he would offer himself as a volunteer tribute for the Hunger Games.

As the smell of the sardines wafted through the kitchen, memories of his childhood and the teachings of his parents flooded his mind. It was they who had instilled in him the value of sacrifice and the importance of fighting for what he believed in. Now, he was ready to face his destiny and challenge the oppressive system of the Capitol.

While he waited for the rice to cook, his gaze settled on a small family portrait resting on the table. It was the faces of his parents, his brother, and himself, united in an embrace that represented their unconditional love. Jacob couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

However, that sadness transformed into determination. He couldn't afford weaknesses on a day like today. He stood up, leaving the lunch half-prepared, and headed towards the mirror hanging on the wall. He looked at himself, seeking strength in his own reflection.

"I will be strong." He said to himself, clenching his fists with determination. He knew that his act of bravery could inspire others in the district and perhaps ignite a spark of hope in their weary hearts.

He returned to the kitchen and finished preparing his humble lunch. Each bite had a bittersweet taste, mixing fear and determination on his palate. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to feel the weight of his decision.

What would happen next is quite simple in terms of action; once Peeta is selected as the male tribute for District Twelve, Jacob can volunteer, and the race towards death or survival will begin at that moment.

But what would have the most impact is the dynamics with Katniss. Although Jacob didn't remember much about the overall history of this world, he knew one thing: how the two tributes from District Twelve survive.

It can be said that in the original story, Peeta and Katniss are saved due to Peeta's clever ideas involving the romantic story, although he certainly wasn't lying as he did feel something for Katniss.

But the most important aspect of this is that instead of the romantic relationship between Katniss and Peeta that develops during the Games, the interaction between him and Katniss would be different. There could be a deep friendship or an intense rivalry, depending on how their relationship unfolds in the arena.

Jacob had lost his normal abilities to communicate sincerely with people, and now it could be said that he lied most of the time.

Since entering the prison before being declared guilty or not in his reality, his personality had changed drastically. Therefore, he didn't know if he could develop the same situations as in the original story for him and Katniss to survive.

Jacob, to be honest, is only interested in the games because it could be a way for him to return to his own reality through the orb. Thus, not having all the information and someone to answer his questions, he doesn't know if merely participating in the games is enough or if he had to win.

But amidst all this additional information network, Jacob knows the importance of Katniss for the future, as she is literally the one who frees the Capitol from the tyranny of its oppressors.

Jacob knew he didn't possess the unique abilities of Peeta, so his actions and decisions could have unique consequences on the plot's development, altering the course of events compared to the original book.

However, Jacob wanted to return to his world and prove his innocence. Besides, he had already killed a person who truly deserved to die, so participating in these games may not be as bad as he was thinking.

"My only way to return to my world..." Jacob looked at his finished plate of food, his calloused hands and the strong body he had been preparing for this moment for a year.

Upon careful consideration, Jacob murmured, "Either way, I'm screwed. If I don't participate in the games and win, on one hand, I won't be able to return to my world, and on the other hand, I'll get involved in the future war where I'll probably die. On the other hand, if I play and win, even if I can't save Katniss, I may have survived, and from there, I'll see what happens next."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"It seems to be about to begin, the Hunger Games..."

The sound of the bell echoed in the air, marking the start of the reaping ceremony. Jacob made his way to the central square of the district, where an anxious and fearful crowd had gathered.