The chapter describes a conflict where a character named Coriolanus is attacked by Bobbin, but Coriolanus successfully defends himself using a two-by-four.
Amid the chaos, Coriolanus flees with Sejanus, who urges him not to go back for Marcus's body, and they encounter tributes Coral, Mizzen, and Tanner, barely avoiding their attacks.
Coriolanus and Sejanus navigate a barricade under moonlight while being pursued and manage to reach safety with the help of Peacekeepers, who do not engage the attacking tributes due to orders.
Sejanus is injured by a knife during the escape, but both he and Coriolanus are pulled to safety and the barricade is secured.
Post-escape, Coriolanus faces criticism from the Peacekeepers and feels abandoned by them and witnesses an unsettling absence of support as no shots or pepper spray are used.
Sejanus tries to use a nickname with Coriolanus, sparking his rage, but he's too exhausted to retaliate.
Both boys are left by the arena as the Peacekeepers dismissively attend to their injuries separately, without much concern.
Coriolanus is taken to the Citadel instead of a hospital, where he is treated briefly and kept under observation. He is troubled by feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Dr. Gaul visits Coriolanus, discussing the raw nature of humanity and questioning the morality of his actions in the arena, promoting self-reflection about governance and control.
Coriolanus grapples with the significance of his actions in the arena, pondering human nature and feeling manipulated by Dr. Gaul.
He leaves the Citadel and is picked up by the Plinths' car, giving him a lift home where he finds comfort in his cousin Tigris, who is worried about his well-being.
The following day, Coriolanus learns that Sejanus's family is offering a university scholarship prize for the mentor of the winning tribute, increasing the stakes for him.
During the games, a tribute named Jessup from District 12 becomes sick and shows obvious signs of poisoning, while his district partner, Lucy Gray, runs away, introducing a new mystery to unravel.