章節 63: The cold of tomorrow

Jacob, who had jumped into the river with Katniss unconscious in his arms, feared losing her. The icy water immediately engulfed him, penetrating deep into his being. A sensation of intense cold took hold of his body, causing every muscle to contract and his breathing to become shallow.

The river roared around him, its turbulent waters challenging him at every moment. Jacob struggled to stay afloat with the heavy burden of Katniss. Every movement became more difficult, but his determination was unyielding.

The cold water filled his lungs with each breath, his skin numb from constant contact, resisting with strength until Jacob deemed it viable. He felt the power of the river dragging him, but he clung to his objective, to keep Katniss safe.

The minutes seemed endless as he pushed against the current, pushing forward with all his might. Hundreds of meters passed through his desperate efforts until finally, Foxfacejoined him, providing invaluable assistance.

"Let's go, we must get out of the river as soon as possible!"

With difficulty, Jacob crawled towards the shore, his body exhausted and trembling. Foxfaceextended a helping hand, supporting him in the final stretch of their aquatic journey. Together, they managed to reach the safety of the rocky shore.

Water dripped from their bodies, forming small puddles around them. Jacob could feel the cold clinging to his skin, his bones still soaked with the icy sensation of the river. His labored breathing reflected the intensity of the experience.

He looked at Katniss, still unconscious in his arms, and felt relieved to have rescued her from the river's danger. His eyes met Foxface's, grateful for her support in that critical moment.

"It seems we lost them. The water must have eliminated our scent for a while..." Foxfaceheld the bow tightly in her hands as she surveyed the surroundings.

Jacob didn't respond immediately, catching his breath, but just as everything seemed to be calming down, his intelligent assistant reminded him that Katniss had been injured by the giant beast's claws.

"Let's return to the cave to warm up. Help me!" Jacob wasted no time and stood up.

Time continued to tick, and the urgency to find a safe place consumed them. But despite exhaustion and the cold that enveloped them, the determination in Jacob's eyes did not waver. He knew they had to keep moving forward, overcoming every obstacle now that only two of them remained in their group.

With firm steps and renewed strength, they continued on their path, leaving behind the turbulent river and the echoes of the mutated dogs' howls. Together, they ventured into the uncertainty of the arena, ready to face whatever challenges stood in their way of survival.

...

"[Master, no unknown targets have been detected!]"

Jacob and Foxfacecautiously made their way through the forest, carrying Katniss in their arms. Silence reigned in the surroundings, only interrupted by the crunching of branches under their feet. Jacob glanced at Foxface, concerned about her emotional state.

"How are you feeling, Foxface?" Jacob asked in a gentle tone, trying to establish a closer bond with her.

Foxfaceresponded briefly, her voice barely audible. "I'm fine." She said, although her face reflected a mix of exhaustion and concern.

"We were lucky to escape, and if I'm right, the beast won't attack us again before another tribute dies..."

The journey back to the cave stretched out before them, a long and challenging path. Both walked with determination, focused on keeping Katniss safe and reaching their refuge unharmed.

The forest surrounded them with its majesty, tall and lush trees offering shade and protection. The whisper of the wind through the leaves seemed to whisper words of encouragement on their journey.

Step by step, they advanced without setbacks, skillfully and stealthily navigating obstacles. Jacob made sure to maintain an appropriate pace, allowing Foxfaceto keep up without overexerting herself.

Fatigue began to take its toll on their bodies, but their will to live remained unwavering. The image of the cave, their place of refuge and safety, remained in their minds like a beacon in the darkness.

Jacob arrived at the cave with Katniss in his arms, worried about her health. Carefully, he placed her on the ground and activated the medical report on his intelligent assistant. The system began analyzing Katniss's vital signs and describing her injuries.

"[Master! Katniss shows signs of poisoning and a deep wound on her leg caused by a sharp object. Additionally, there are bleeding scratches on her body]" Jacob's assistant informed him.

Without wasting time, Jacob searched his backpack for the tube containing the antidote they had received earlier. With skill, he injected the antidote into Katniss' arm, hoping it would take effect quickly.

While he waited, Jacob turned to Foxface, who was standing next to Katniss. "I need your help, Foxface. We have to treat Katniss' wounds to stop the bleeding."

The urgency could be heard in Jacob's words.

Foxfacenodded and approached, ready to assist in whatever was necessary. Jacob and Foxfaceworked together, cleaning Katniss' wounds and applying bandages to stop the bleeding. As they tended to her injuries, Jacob couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and determination.

"No matter what happens, we have to keep her alive," Jacob murmured nervously as they worked in silence.

Foxfacenodded, sharing the same determination. Together, they exerted effort to provide Katniss with the care and attention she needed in that critical moment.

Time seemed to pass slowly as they attended to Katniss' wounds. Every movement was careful and precise, seeking to minimize pain and expedite her recovery.

Finally, after a joint effort, Katniss' wounds were clean and bandaged. Now, they could only wait for the antidote to take effect and for her body to recover.

Jacob observed Katniss tenderly and with concern, wishing for her swift recovery. He knew that time was a luxury they couldn't afford, and they had to be ready for whatever came next.

With the task completed, Jacob and Foxfacesat near Katniss, watching over her rest and waiting for her to regain consciousness. Together, they supported each other in this moment of uncertainty, united by the desire to survive amidst the deadly games.

The silence of the cave enveloped the surroundings, only broken by the heavy breathing of the three. Jacob approached Foxfaceand gave her a grateful look, acknowledging the effort she had made alongside him.

"We did it." Jacob said, a mix of relief and satisfaction in his voice. "We're back in our refuge. Rest after you eat as much as you want to satisfy yourself, you've earned it."

Foxfacenodded wearily and slumped into a corner of the cave, seeking some well-deserved rest while eating dry food she had obtained from a backpack. Jacob observed Katniss, her face peaceful in her unconsciousness, and sighed deeply.

The refuge surrounded them, providing a momentary respite amidst the challenges they faced. They knew they had to recover, plan their next move, and be prepared for any eventuality.

In the relative tranquility of the cave, Jacob surrendered to the fleeting sense of security. But his mind kept working, analyzing options and seeking ways to stay one step ahead in these unpredictably changed games.

The path to this point had been arduous, but he knew there was still a long way to go. But now, seeing how things were unfolding, Jacob murmured softly, "Intelligent assistant, investigate if that giant beast died. I want a report as soon as possible."

"[Order issued, master!]"

At this point, Jacob's eyes were hidden in the darkness of the cave, and as he ate something to fill his stomach, he reached a conclusion about what they would do next.