Katniss considers how overestimating Peeta’s competence led to Foxface’s death. The Gamemakers dry up other sources of water, driving Katniss and Peeta to the lake by the Cornucopia. Katniss no longer cares, sensing that they are coming to the end of the games; she simply wants it to be over. When they reach the Cornucopia, Cato is not there. They refill their water, and Katniss teaches the mockingjays Rue’s signal. The song is disturbed with the sounds of panic, and they see Cato barreling toward them. Katniss shoots an arrow at him, but it bounces off due to his body armor. They are shocked when they realize he is not running toward them but away from the creatures chasing him. Katniss runs for her life.

Cato’s pursuers are muttations, wolf-like creatures with human eyes—specifically the eyes of the dead tributes. Katniss, Peeta, and Cato make it to the top of the Cornucopia, though Peeta’s leg is badly injured. Cato takes Peeta hostage, but Katniss shoots an arrow into his hand, forcing him to release Peeta. He falls to the mercy of the mutts but does not die overnight. Katniss uses her last arrow to tourniquet Peeta’s leg, knowing the tourniquet might lead to an amputation but also aware that if she does not stop the bleeding, he will die before the games are over.