16

Summary

• 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.