 While nearly half the tributes are killed in the first day of the Games , Katniss relies on her well @-@ practiced hunting and survival skills to remain unharmed and concealed from the other tributes . A few days into the Games , Katniss develops an alliance with Rue , a 12 @-@ year @-@ old girl from the agricultural District 11 who reminds Katniss of her younger sister . In the meantime , Peeta appears to have joined forces with the tributes from the richer districts . However , when he has the opportunity to kill Katniss , he instead saves her from the others . Katniss 's alliance with Rue is brought to an abrupt end when Rue is killed by another tribute , whom Katniss then kills in self @-@ defence with an arrow . Katniss sings to Rue until she dies and spreads flowers over her body as a sign of respect for Rue and disgust towards the Capitol . 
