75 yards.

He could still hear the shrill noise of the whistle, the start of the pursuit.

He paddled hard, harder than he ever had in his life. His orange padded life vest was chafing under his arms, but he continued on anyways.

65 yards.

He could hear the other boats approaching. The boats lapped the waves in the water and he could hear the others paddles splashing water as they paddled toward the goal.

55 yards.

Breathless, he risked a glance around him. Another boy in a canoe was about 2 yards behind his own, and speedily catching up to him on his left. In his right, two canoes battled for a clearer path with each other, their sides scraping and bumping against each other.

40 yards.

“Enough glances at the competition. I need to focus,” he thought to himself. He paddled as hard as he could, though he could feel himself being steadily drained.

He needed that prize money.

30 yards.

He could hear his closest opponent closer behind him. He let out a yell and paddled with more urgency, fighting the pull of the water.

20 yards.

His opponent bumped into his boat from behind, slightly knocking him off course.

“You haven’t won this yet, Russell! I could still beat you in this race any day!”

Russell paid them no mind. He had to focus.

10 yards left.

Russell could see the finish line ahead, with people shouting cheers from downstream. He couldn’t tell if he was imagining them chanting his name, but he paddled to the rhythm of the crowd anyway.

“RUSSELL. RUSSELL. RUSSELL. RUSSELL.”

Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

5 to go.

Opponent right beside him. He didn’t dare glance over. He gave it all he had for one final push.

Finish line.

Russell crossed the line. He couldn’t tell who won, him or his opponent. Someone grabbed his boat to dock him as the other racers came in.

As the final racer finally docked, an announcer with a megaphone quieted the eager crowd.

“AND THE WINNER,” the announcer yelled through the squeaking megaphone.

Russell was still breathing hard from the race. He crossed his fingers.

“OF THE COUNTY FAIR CREEK CANOE RACE…”

The crowd was buzzing.

Russell prayed a silent prayer.

“IS NONE OTHER THAN…” The announcer paused for dramatic effect. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. No one over the age of three spoke a single word.

“RUSSELL BRANTON!”

Russell felt a thrill shoot through him. All the pains and aches he felt of the cardio he’d just gone through left him. He leapt out of his boat and splashed to shore over to the announcer.

“You my friend will be recieving this check for $50 dollars.”

The man handed him a beautiful green bill. It seemed electrifying.

“Now young man, what will you be buying with this here cash?” The announcer laid a hand on his shoulder and spun him to face the crowd squarely.

“A Fortnite Battle Pass and Legendary Skins!”