Lucent Saccharyn, Head Gamemaker:

Less than twenty minutes into the Hunger Games, six tributes have already died, and nine more have been injured, which has created quite a stir among the gamblers. Whenever there's a commotion surrounding the Hunger Games, I'm naturally obligated to check up on it, so after making sure that the tributes were acclimating well to their new surroundings, I decided I had to pay a visit to the betting lounge, which has since turned into the betting and sponsorship lounge now that the Games are actually underway.

"Madam Head Gamemaker." Marty Hoban, Chief Attendant of Betting, greets me with a deferential bow and tips his derby cap to me.

"Hello, Marty. So tell me a little bit about the current odds. Who's on top?"

"Livi Carnelian, ma'am."

"As I expected."

"Then we have Eliza Maddox, Oscar Poudret, Rafe McClellan, Zea Poales, and Lyra-Rose Ripley."

"What an assortment."

"Indeed. Would you like to walk around and observe some of the sponsor agreements taking place?"

"Sure." In the lounge, all of the escorts and the majority of the mentors are trying to cut deals with the richest of the rich. Some are having much more success than others. The District Twelve Escort, for instance, is having a great bit of luck in regards to his remaining tribute, Chip. The Career supporters, on the other hand, aren't doing so well.

Most of the tributes could use something or another, and two of the Careers, Oscar and Rafe, are seriously hurt. However, they already have medical supplies from the Cornucopia, so there's really not a reason to send them anything yet. Lyra-Rose, another Career, as well as outliers Ardledge, Jenna, Quinten, and Emily, all have nonfatal injuries too. However, Chip's wrist wound is pretty awful, and his escort has turned up the charm enough to get him some help.

In even more dire straits is Radley, who sustained some severe lacerations across his chest. He'll bleed out if nobody gives him a gift in the next few hours. If he does receive something and manages to live, he'll certainly be a real contender, but it's not looking too good for him right now. Fortunately, the mentors of the District Nine and District Three tributes are putting in a tremendous effort on their behalf. Pola, Soren, and Zea are all working together, and they have an especially generous sponsor. Somebody in a towering wig designed to look like a bouquet of flowers is up for sponsoring their alliance with a couple of special bonuses, as well as some other things. The District Nine escort, Pyramus, has also been hard at work and is speaking to a group of people over a bowl of chilled dessert. Based on the discussion that's occurring, it's almost certain that Radley is going to get the items he needs to heal his wounds.

Things are looking even better for the boy he favors. I've been paying attention to the live feeds of the tributes as they discussed things with their allies and mentors, and it's evident that he has a pretty hopeless crush on Quinten of District Six, who appears to return his feelings and who, for reasons unknown, is very well-liked among the Capitolites. Well-liked enough for a man in a purplish rubber tuxedo and very deep pockets to sponsor him a map of the arena, along with this year's most coveted special bonus item. There is only one special bonus item of each kind in stock, so the tributes won't become too overpowered, but this one is truly something special. I can't wait for it to make its appearance.

The thing is, although a mentor can have a gift delivered at any time, they can't just push a button and have it magically drop into the arena. Instead, they get on the phone with Cassus, who places the request and deploys a hovercraft to drop the parachute near the tribute. The whole process takes about five minutes, from the moment the mentor makes the call to the second the tribute receives the package.

A bunch of gifts are going to be sent in a very small time frame, which is likely going to cause some kind of upset in the placements. Several deals have been arranged so far, probably because the prices are very low right now. Some sponsors are blowing their money early so it can stretch the farthest. Others are saving their dollars and preparing to spend big later when the gifts cost significantly more. There's no telling what the better strategy is, the tributes will benefit either way.

After saying goodbye to Marty and checking the bidding board, (Lyra-Rose and Zea just swapped places) I head back to the Gamemaking Room. The mentors are deliberating about what time they want to send their gifts, and a couple orders have already been placed, which means the rest will flow in soon. As I discuss the special bonus with Pinky in hushed tones, a new order flashes onto the screen. Somebody requested twenty-one different items for Pola, our District Three girl.

Judging by what happened when she wanted to spy on Oscar from District One in the Training Center, I'd predict that in the next few days, she's going to give us an excellent show.

Kill Tracker:

Livi Carnelian: II

Oscar Poudret: I

Eliza Maddox: I

Rafe McClellan: I

Lyra-Rose Ripley: I

Alliance Tracker:

Career Pack: Oscar, Livi, Rafe, Eliza, Lyra-Rose

Protective Older Brothers: Ardledge, Griffin, Chip

Manipulators and Their Meat Shield: Soren, Pola, Zea

Lumberjack, Gymnast, and Farmer: Jenna, Elle

Loners: Quinten, Damon, Radley, Emily, Soya

Supplies Tracker:

Career Pack: Apples, Blanket (x2), Bread (x2), Cheese, Climbing Gear (x2), Crackers (x2), Cured Meat, Dried Fruit (x2), First-Aid Kit (x2), Foam Roll (x3), Nutrient Bars, Rope, Sleeping Bag (x3), Soup (x3), Sunscreen, Tarp (x3), Warm Earmuffs, Warm Gloves (x2), Warm Hat, Warm Scarf, Water (x3), Water Bottle (x3), Water Purification Capsules (x3)

Protective Older Brothers: Bread, Cheese, Climbing Gear, Cured Meat, Hunting Items, Rope (x2), Soup, Water Purification Capsules, Water Bottle

Manipulators and Their Meat Shield: Apples, Blanket, Bread, Dried Fruit, Foam Roll, Powder and Puff, Rope, Sleeping Bag (x2), Unknown Machine-Looking Thing, Warm Gloves, Water Bottle

Lumberjack, Gymnast, and Farmer: Bread, Crackers, Dry Wheat, Field Guide, Jar of Lozenges, Mesh Sheet, Resin, Tarp, Trail Mix (x2), Warm Scarf, Water, Water Bottle, Water Purification Capsules, Spool of Wire

Quinten: Camouflage Set, Collapsible Shovel, First-Aid Kit, Vegetables, Water Purification Capsules, Warm Hat, Water Bottle

Damon: Antiseptic Wipes, Cheese, Crackers, Grappling Hook, Multitool, Nutrient Bars, Warm Gloves, Water

Radley: Blanket, Cured Meat, Dry Beans, Multitool, Tarp, Trap Materials, Water

Emily: Firestarter, Nutrient Bars, Sleeping Bag, Warm Gloves, Water Bottle

Soya: Flashlight, Iodine, Soup, Warm Hat, Water Bottle

Weapons Tracker:

Career Pack: Bandolier of shurikens, bandolier of throwing knives, bow and quiver of arrows (x2), bullwhip, dagger (x3), machete, spear (x5), switchblade, unknown bat-looking thing

Protective Older Brothers: Dagger, Tanto, Warhammer

Manipulators and Their Meat Shield: Bandolier of Throwing Darts

Lumberjack, Gymnast, and Farmer: Axe, Shortsword, Unknown Scissors-Looking Thing

Quinten: Spear

Damon: Axe

Radley: Sickle

Emily: No Weapon

Soya: No Weapon

Hey y'all!

Very New To This suggested that I add a supplies tracker, so I did! The tracker will be updated as food and water stores are depleted, tools are broken or left behind, and sponsor gifts are delivered. I also added a weapons tracker, because I felt like weapons and supplies didn't really belong together in one section. In the next chapter, which will be released this Sunday, I'll be focusing on the tributes who are receiving sponsor gifts, and some of the special bonuses will be revealed. I'm super excited to reveal what people got!

– LC :)