After secretly seeing footage of violence in District 8 on Mayor Undersee's television, Katniss arranges a private meeting with Gale at the lake house she once used with her father. Before leaving, she talks with Madge about the mockingjay pin and reflects on how mockingjays came from the Capitol's failed jabberjay experiment, making the bird feel like an accidental symbol of defiance. Katniss chooses the lake because she no longer trusts their usual meeting place and knows she must tell Gale what she has learned.

Gale arrives hurt and angry about Katniss's public engagement to Peeta, but Katniss cuts through that anger by telling Gale that President Snow personally threatened to have Gale killed and likely meant both their families as well. Once Gale understands the danger, he listens while making them food. Katniss recounts Haymitch's warning after the Games, Snow's visit, the unrest on the Victory Tour, the killings in District 11, and her conclusion that the engagement failed to calm the districts or protect the people she loves.

Katniss then reveals her plan: they should run away into the woods with their families. Gale surprises Katniss by reacting with happiness rather than mockery, and for a moment the plan seems to reunite them. In that closeness, Gale tells Katniss that he loves her. Katniss cannot return the declaration; she says fear has consumed her since Prim's reaping and that she does not know what she could feel if they were ever truly safe. Gale is disappointed, but he still says they can go.

As they discuss who must be included, the conversation turns into a fight. Katniss insists they should try to take Haymitch and Peeta because the Capitol would torture people left behind for information. Gale bristles at Peeta's place in the plan, and the deeper break comes when Katniss mentions the uprising in District 8. Gale sees the rebellion as hope and argues that Katniss's act with the berries gave people a chance to resist; Katniss, terrified of mass slaughter, wants only to escape before more people die. Gale rejects fleeing while others remain trapped, throws back Cinna's gloves, and leaves in disgust, while Katniss resolves to keep pursuing escape and, if possible, warn Hazelle before Gale does anything reckless.

Back in District 12, Katniss decides Peeta may be easier to persuade and asks whether he would run away with her. Peeta says he will if she truly wants it, though he doubts Katniss will actually leave and urges her to think through the consequences with Haymitch. Before they can continue, a disturbing sound from the square draws them in. Peeta recognizes danger and tries to send Katniss away, but she forces through the crowd and discovers Gale tied to a post, unconscious and bloody, while the new Head Peacekeeper stands behind him with a raised whip.