"The Selection"


With another well placed scene transition, the duo arrived back to town, and Steve said farewell to his blonde friend before parting ways. He headed straight for Bucky's house, and as always, he had to deal with the usual questions.

Upon arrival, Steve didn't bother to knock. He just entered, and called out to the tween. No longer than a second had passed before the boy popped his head out of his bedroom. "Steve!" He rushed out and hugged the older man. "Aw, look at you. You look like a grown man." He praised the kid. Bucky stood back and gave the man a thumbs up. "I know and the ladies love it."

Steve glanced around the living room and spotted the mother who seemed to be observing the scene before her. She seems aware of the situation. The man thought as he turned away from the woman. "Did you dress yourself?" Bucky shook his head proudly.

The super-soldier congratulated the boy. "Now that you're all dressed, I think it's time for you to go." Bucky grew silent. "Come on kiddo, I'll walk you to the event." Even with the reassurance, his words did nothing for the boy's nerves.

Steve could detect the fear radiating from the child. "Ah, come on. We have to go." Lifting his hand up, he waited for Bucky to take it. Surprisingly, the boy rebounded at the gesture. "Holding hands is for wimps and little girls." And in an attempt to psych himself, Bucky challenged Steve to a race. The older man accepted and the two were off.

The walk to the event was making Bucky sweat, and those moist spots began to form under his arms. So, being a good friend, Steve allowed his small companion to travel via the scene transition. And when the duo passed through, they immediately arrived at their destination. "Alright kiddo, it's time for you to go." Inhaling sharply, Bucky got into line.

Steve watched as his friend pass through the security checkpoint. Well, this is the end of our friendship because that tween is sure to die…if he's chosen. He thought. Turning around to head home, he ran into his larger friend, Thor. "Ah, you decided to attend the lottery?!" With excitement, Thor wrapped his burly arm around the super-soldier's neck and moved him toward the line.

"If we're lucky enough, we could be in the third to last line." Steve struggled to free himself from the asgardian's grip. "There is no way that we could pass for children." Thor scoffed. "Steve, did you not know that a large percentage of adults participate in the games?" The super-soldier gave the blonde a confused look. "How is that possible?"

Letting go of Steve, Thor stood ahead of the man. "All you have to do is state a suitable age. They don't actually look at your birth record." A bout of silence passed between the two as they advanced in line. Soon, they were next, and Thor was the first to have his blood taken. Steve watched the processed and then mimicked his friend's actions before following him inside.

From the checkpoint, the super-soldier was escorted down an aisle and deposited in the back of the male's section. Scanning the crowd, the man could not find Bucky throughout the sea of children, but he did spot Thor. The blonde had wedged himself in-between two boys to his left.

Up on stage, music signaled the entrance of district 12's representative, Maria Hill. She wore a cream colored dress with beaded accents around the bust. It was form fitting and reached mid-thigh. Now, her face was cover in the whitest, most shimmering foundation available. The lips were thin and painted with a mocha colored lipstick, and a thin, glittery swirl graced each cheek. Last but not least, her hair resembled a mouthwatering cinnamon roll.

"Hello children." Smiling hard, she waved to the crowd. "The time has come for yet another pair to represent their district. Let the odds be ever in your favor." From a nearby speaker, a voice commanded that the people applaud, which everyone in the crowd did. "Ooh, here comes my favorite part. Daily, could you bring out the glass bowl of despair?" Said guy appeared from behind a set of red curtains and presented the bowl.

Maria watched the crowd before tending to her task. "Ooh, should we deal with the men or the ladies? I'm thinking the boys will like this." Staring in the bowl, her eyes caught sight of a glowing piece of paper. Pulling it out, she ripped the tape and peered inside.

In the crowd, Steve sat in suspense. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Thor hugging the two boys by his side. They seemed to be uncomfortable with the asgardian's touch. Poor kids. Steve thought.

Eventually, the woman on stage had decided that milking the crowd for fear was getting old. So, she announced the first participant. "James Buchanan Barnes." With a smile and a pose, the woman waited for the child.

Somewhere in the fourth row, said tween shook in fear. "Damn, damn, damn." Maria searched the crowd for any movement. "James, where are you?" Not wanting to look like a sissy, the boy sucked it up and stepped away from the group of boys. "Ah, there you are."

Motioning for Bucky to come forward. "People, we have our first tribute of the day. Let the odds be ever in your favor." As the boy was being escorted to the stage, Bucky began to bawl. "No, no…I don't want to go."

Steve watched in horror. Damn it, the kid was right! Pushing out of his row, Steve rushed to be by Bucky's side. Some security tried to stop the advancing man, but they were quickly dealt with. With a quickness, Steve arrived at Bucky's location and gave him a bear hug. "I need you to run, run home."

From the stage, Maria shouted. "Where do you think you're going with our tribute!?" Steve faced the raging clown. "I am saving him from certain death!" Turning away, the super-soldier guided the boy towards the exit. "You won't do a thing, SECURITY!" As soon as those words were spoken, the swat team descended on the pair. They apprehended the man and forced the tween towards Maria. "Wait!"

Looking between Bucky and Maria, the man made a snap decision. "I volunteer as tribute!" The woman paced the stage. "How old are you?" Steve quickly replied. "Uh, 18." Maria commanded that the security bring Steve to the base of the stage "You're looking a bit ancient for a young adult." She said while inspecting his face. "Ooh, but you're fitter than anyone I've seen."

Sighing loudly, "This isn't how I wanted this year's event to turn out, but people of district 12, we have a new tribute." Maria flicked her wrist, and the security escorted Steve onto the stage and placed him in front of the microphone. "State your name." The man took a deep breath. "Steve Rogers."

"You heard it here, Steve Rogers has taking the place of James Barnes." With this announcement, the crowd gave Steve the peace sign. They knew full well that the man would never make it back to town. "Alright, let's announce the final tribute." Once again, the woman fished around the glass bowl and found another glowing piece of paper. Looking at the name, "Virginia Pepper Pots." Maria looked over the scared faces.

Sighing in defeat, Pepper made her way to the stage. Once up there, she took her place next to Steve. "Well, that was interesting and I bet you would agree. Let the odds be ever in their favors." The woman stood by her tributes. "This concludes this year's lottery." Smiling broadly again, she led the two participates off stage.

Once off stage, the people in the crowd erupted with joy. They had successfully survived another year of reaping. But one person did not share their happiness. See, Thor had wanted to take part in this year's festivities, but they had over looked him yet again. The town's folk knew that the god had not partaken in the tournament since the 24th Hunger Game, and that he was growing impatient with every passing year. "Fucking mortals." Thor thought out loud.