My dream

Katniss and the group following Jacob cautiously advanced through the blood-stained hallways of the mansion. Every scene they witnessed reminded them of the brutality of the battle that had taken place there. The corpses of Peacekeepers lay scattered on the floor, a macabre sight that filled the air with a heavy silence and the strong smell of blood permeated their nostrils.

As they moved forward, fear slowly gripped their hearts. The number of lifeless bodies multiplied around them, and they couldn't help but wonder if Jacob was responsible for so many deaths. The shadows projected on the walls seemed to whisper accusations and fears.

However, Katniss held onto the faith she had in Jacob. She knew his brutality and his internal struggle for the freedom of Panem. But even she felt a hint of unease at the scale of destruction unfolding before her eyes. She couldn't help but wonder what had driven Jacob to take such extreme measures and how he had managed to do so.

The group continued to advance, following Jacob's trail through the rooms and corridors. Each time they encountered a new corpse, the fear intensified. The air was charged with an ominous aura, as if the spirit of death loomed over them.

...

Moments before their group reached the mansion, Jacob slowly pushed open the door to President Snow's office. The scent of wine and roses was so strong that Jacob felt an abnormality in the situation unfolding outside this room.

"All colors of roses are beautiful, of course, but nothing compares to the color white."

Jacob averted his tired gaze and saw President Snow sitting on a stool, cutting and selecting white roses for the vase in front of him.

"I was expecting you, young Barber. I thought you might have arrived earlier if you had bombed the entire city and wiped out all the people in this city as we did with District 13..." President Snow took a sip of wine and coughed forcefully twice.

"The only mistake is that you didn't bomb District 13; instead, you made a deal with those traitors." Jacob held his ribs as he held his weapon in his right hand, knowing from his AI assistant's reports that this old man was unarmed.

"What did you do with those traitors? I'm truly intrigued what a young man like you would do, Jacob."

"I eliminated the high-ranking officials and spared the younger ones... Cough! Cough! Cough!" Jacob coughed forcefully, and every part of his body screamed in pain.

"You spared your future pawns; you needed weapons and subordinates for this war..." President Snow finished cutting the flowers and said, "Can you see these flowers? Our actions are not so different; in the end, power will continue to reign like the rest."

"I have a plan..." Jacob murmured.

"Hahaha, that same plan didn't work when Panem was formed; all the formerly known countries attacked each other for resources when their damn pockets and bellies were full." President Snow had a point.

"I suppose my plan will be more efficient, productive, and with a future that includes everyone as part of it."

"There are so many things we must discuss, but I have a sense that your consciousness or life will remain conscious for a short time in this room. So, first things first." President Snow coughed a couple more times and said, "I truly regret your unfortunate experience in the Games, that girl named Rue who gave her life for you should not have endured that."

"You are an incredible person; you did what many couldn't do under better conditions and two years of war... I still wonder how you managed to neutralize 100% of the hovercrafts I sent to kill you, but that doesn't matter now... Now that your victory is official, I will issue an official surrender to avoid any more unnecessary deaths."

Jacob no longer had the strength to speak, and the rest of his efforts were focused on his finger to open fire against President Snow if he made any suspicious move.

"Now that I think about it, you and I are very similar in one incredibly important aspect. Both you and I don't take lives out of personal desire but for a specific purpose. And there was no reason for you to kill the citizens of the Capitol, just as I used nuclear bombs to pulverize half of Panem."

"[Master, the blood loss in your body is severe, your motor functions are on the verge of going into shock, and adrenaline will be reduced, resulting in excessive blood loss!]"

"It's nothing personal, I don't truly hate you. I hate the system we live in, and I wholeheartedly wish to create a new path for everyone before I go..." Jacob's words grew weaker.

President Snow looked at all the blood Jacob was shedding. The bullet wounds in his leg, shoulder, and abdomen continued to bleed, prompting President Snow to walk towards a cabinet and retrieve a box from a mini refrigerator.

"Don't make any sudden moves, or you will die..." Jacob warned in response.

"Given that you can barely breathe, I suppose your desire to end this war was so great that you're willing to die for it." President Snow approached Jacob and injected the white liquid into his right arm. "At least with this, you will remain conscious a little longer."

"You managed to spare the other residents of District 13, and I can swear with absolute certainty that you won't seek revenge against the citizens of the Capitol..." Snow looked at Jacob and said, "Never before have I seen someone who is unafraid of death, no, who played with their life in this way despite the possibility of dying."

"I suppose it's enough now, I will announce my surrender..."

"Why are you doing this?" Jacob asked after feeling the warm current coursing through his body.

"Well, personal desires, with all those hovercrafts at your disposal, I cannot defeat you..." said President Snow.

"Then stop this, no one else should die today..."

Ignoring Jacob's words, President Snow walked towards his desk and issued a series of orders before saying, "Dear citizens of Panem!"

"Today, I address you with a message of humility and surrender. The time has come for me to accept reality and acknowledge defeat. The Capitol, in all its grandeur and power, has faced a battle it cannot win. The rebellion has proven stronger than we could have imagined."

"Throughout the years, we have ruled with an iron fist and kept the districts under our control. We have sacrificed lives and sowed fear to maintain our authority. But today, I realize that we have lost sight of the true meaning of peace and justice."

"The war in the Capitol has caused suffering and death on both sides. I have witnessed the destruction and pain we have inflicted upon our own citizens. It is time to put an end to this ruthless violence and seek a new way of coexistence."

"Therefore, I declare my surrender. I call upon all rebel forces to cease their attacks and seek a peaceful solution."

"I am grateful to those who have bravely fought for their ideals and challenged the system. Your determination and resilience have been a force that I cannot ignore. I acknowledge that the Capitol's time has come to an end."

"May peace reign over Panem. Sincerely, President Coriolanus Snow!"

By the time President Snow turned his head, Jacob was already unconscious in the chair where he was seated. But before he could move, the partially open door of the office received a strong kick, and Katniss entered first.

"Don't move!"

President Snow's serious face showed a smile as he said, "Miss Katniss, as charming as always, but let me give you a warning before you make an irrational move. Your boyfriend Jacob is injured, and if he doesn't receive medical attention soon, he may die. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Both Katniss and the others turned their heads towards Jacob, who lay motionless in the seat with a gun pointed forward.

"Jacob!"