Katniss is trying her best to care for Peeta, but his illness might be too much for her. As Peeta falls asleep that night, Katniss finds herself wanting to return to a tree for safety. However, those days are behind her as long as she and Peeta continue their “star-crossed lovers” routine. Although it is necessary, it leaves Katniss much more vulnerable. She does her best to stand guard that night, but it is so cold she eventually returns to share body heat with Peeta. Unfortunately, Peeta is burning with fever. The next morning, Katniss discovers that his wound has swelled and has led to blood poisoning. Katniss reflects that Peeta will die without powerful medication, though at this point in the games such medicine would cost her sponsors a fortune.

As always, Katniss does the best she can with the resources at hand. She decides to start making a soup. While the soup is cooking, Katniss tells Peeta the story of how she got Prim a goat. Katniss is aware that all of Panem is likely watching her on television, so she edits the story so none of her neighbors will get in trouble for buying her illegal game. In reality, Katniss and Gale were out hunting illegally when they brought down a deer. They returned to the market and made a great deal of money. What Katniss says instead is that she obtained the money by selling her mother’s silver locket. She then continues with the true story: On the way home, she and Gale walked past the Goat Man. One of his goats was ill, and Katniss started negotiating for the goat. By the time they finished, she had made a great bargain if the goat lived—and a terrible one if the goat died. When she returned home, Prim and Katniss’s mother were able to restore the goat, named Lady, to health. Peeta enjoys the story and comments that it must have meant a lot to bring so much joy to her sister. Katniss responds that she did it because the goat was a gold mine that has paid for itself several times over. She goes on to point out that Peeta is getting better.

Their story is interrupted by another announcement from the Gamemakers. Each group desperately needs something, and the next day a backpack will be left at the Cornucopia for each district. Peeta tells Katniss that she should not go, and Katniss says she will not. However, Peeta points out that she is a terrible liar and that she has lied to him about why she bought the goat, about his fever, and now about the packs. Peeta says that if Katniss tries to get the backpack, he will do his best to stop her. Katniss gives in, but when she goes to check the soup, she discovers the latest offering from her sponsors. It is a vial containing syrup that puts people to sleep. It is not medicine, but if Katniss can drug Peeta, she will be able to fight for his medicine the following day. Katniss succeeds in making Peeta eat the medicine. As he falls asleep, she declares that she is better at lying that he realizes.