Coriolanus feels a mix of pride and sorrow upon being offered a spot at an elite program in District Two, as it poses a danger to him due to a murder weapon with his DNA still out there.
As Coriolanus contemplates deserting the Peacekeepers, he finds a break in the fence and escapes from the base, trying not to attract attention.
He successfully reaches the hanging tree where he meets Lucy Gray, who is preparing to go on the run with him.
They discuss leaving behind their lives and the sadness of giving up on their dreams, with Lucy Gray also leaving behind items that once defined her.
They initially plan to head north but decide to visit the lake first, as Lucy Gray wants to see it one last time.
Lucy Gray expresses mixed feelings about people and her beliefs in human goodness and the complexity of morality.
Lucy Gray and Coriolanus prepare to fish at the lake, discussing whether they will be missed by others.
Their conversation turns tense when Lucy Gray realizes Coriolanus has killed a third person, implicating his involvement in Sejanus's death, although she doesn't explicitly mention it.
Coriolanus, struggling to cover up the third person he killed, decides not to dwell on it and distracts Lucy Gray when she starts probing.
Weather conditions worsen, reflecting the grim reality of their future as they seek shelter in a lake house.
In the lake house, they discover a stash of black market arms, including the murder weapons for which Coriolanus is responsible.
Lucy Gray uses a knife from the stash to dig up katniss tubers, leaving Coriolanus alone with his guilt and thoughts of freedom.
Coriolanus contemplates his rescue from being linked to the crimes and comes to the realization that Lucy Gray is now the only living witness against him.
Fear and suspicion set in; he follows Lucy Gray and eventually fires at her in a burst of paranoia and self-preservation.
Their final chase morphs into their own private Hunger Games as Coriolanus tries to hunt down Lucy Gray and eliminate the last witness.
Mockingjays echo Lucy Gray's singing, disorienting Coriolanus as he loses track of her.
Despite the unsettling escape, Coriolanus manages to return to District 12, and covers his tracks by sinking the gun used for murder into the lake.
Coriolanus gets medical attention for the snake bite, relieved to find out the snake was not venomous, and that his secret crimes are still safe.
The next day, Coriolanus departs for what he believes is District Two but is instead dropped off in the Capitol.
Dr. Gaul reveals that his entire experience was orchestrated for educational purposes and that he has actually been discharged to study under her at the University in the Capitol.
The chapter ends with Dr. Gaul expressing satisfaction with his summer development and informing Coriolanus that the Hunger Games he participated in will be erased, except for her private copy.