The Marvel Games {An Avengers/Hunger Games Crossover}

Chapter 5: The Tribute Parade

Chapter 5: The Tribute Parade

In the limo I could help but tremble in fear. Even with my eyes closed I could feel the weight of the stares on my face. The Hydra Soldiers were notoriously known for killing without reason; they were trained for systematic genocide, almost like a robot designed to kill humans. They wore masks that resembled gas masks, black in colour, with a long snout bit at the front with mesh over the opening of it. I couldn’t help but think, if I took the mask off, what would be behind it? A skeleton? A zombie? A robot’s face?

I didn’t know for sure, but I knew one thing: if I took their masks off, their faces wouldn’t be that of a man. Because if this, looking at the solider now, was a man, then I didn’t want to live on this planet anymore.

I scooted over the leather seat to sit closer to Clint. Being with him felt safe, I wanted to be closer. Our arms and legs were brushed up against each other as he held my hand securely. His fingers were long and soft, I didn’t expect them to be, but they were.
It was funny how I kept catching myself thinking about these little things that centred around Clint. I’d know him for all of two days and I was struggling to keep him off my mind. One minute, I’d be wondering about how I was going to last past day one and the next, I’d be thinking about Clint. I didn’t know what was wrong with me! I was in a life of death situation and my thoughts were clouded by a boy –and not just any boy, a former Avenger and super hero, and still the best marksman in the world. A boy by the name of Hawkeye had seemingly, shot an arrow threw my head so I would not stop thinking about him.

I sighed as I felt the limousine pull to a halt. The doors were opened for me and Clint got out first, standing at the door and waiting to help me get out of the car.
The first thing I noticed when I emerged from the car was the lack of media. There were no cameras, no reporters screaming my name and asking for interviews. Nothing.

I loved it. All I had wanted all day was some peace and quiet, and for now, at least, I would get it.

“How long does this usually go for?” I asked sleepily.
“Only a few hours, I promise.” Clint reassured me, leading me into the large foyer. It was a bit over-done, everything was made with marble and trimmed or engraved with gold. Ten seconds in this place and I already knew who had commissioned it; Loki. He was big on gold, anyone could see that.

I sighed, “Promise you won’t let them bombard me with questions.”
“I’ll try.” He chuckled, slinking his arm around my waist and towing me to the gala which was in full swing.

Slow music that sounded like an acoustic version of ‘No Light No Light’ by Florence and the Machine but wasn’t, played through the large area, bouncing off the marble walls as I was introduced to CEO’s and politicians, heads of state, even the president –well, I didn’t exactly know if you could call him the president anymore. He didn’t do anything except relay messages from the Council to us when they were too busy to.

I smiled politely and spoke just like I had during my interview.

After about fifteen minutes, Clint pulled me into a nearby room for a little break, sensing my distress.

“Do you want to watch the last of the interviews?” He asked quietly and I nodded, still shaking. I couldn’t stop. I wasn’t able to stop thinking about how many people in the room were trained to kill, how many people had a licence to kill. The cameras were following my every move. Jack, Luke and Ryan stared at me like prey. I already felt like once I was set loose in the arena, I wouldn’t last five minutes.

Tomorrow, I needed to knit an alliance together –even if it was just one hero, then maybe I could get passed the first day, then I’d go from there.