The official looked between them for a moment. Percy could feel his heart banging against his chest like a drum. There was no way he just lost, right?
He forgot about the stupid punishment. He was right there, inches from the finish line. He lowered into a crouch as he waited for the man's voice.
The official shook his head in disbelief, then pointed to Percy.
"Winner!"
The crowd erupted, and he was swarmed by people. Before he knew it, he was in the air, and everyone was shouting.
"Half boy! Half boy!"
He supposed he should be appreciative, but the nickname was so unimaginative. Still, he went with the flow, riding the wave from hand to hand as they carried him into the city.
When they finally dropped him, Thalos was right there, grabbing his son and raising him into the air.
"You're amazing!"
Flynn and her siblings were all around them shouting a bunch of different things.
"I wanna race! I wanna race!"
