Liar, Liar, Head on Fire by Vera Strange

Author:Vera Strange [Strange, Vera]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2021-08-10T00:00:00+00:00

Two days later, Hector lined up for the race. This was the biggest moment of his life. Everything was riding on what happened over the next few minutes. But as he got into starting position, he didn’t feel nervous. He just wanted to get this over with, win the race, and get on with his life.

He looked over at Mae, but she was focused on the course ahead, her jaw clenched in determination. Hector almost felt badly for her. She had no idea that she had no chance today.

Beep!

The starting buzzer went off—Hector shot off the starting block like he had wings on his heels. He’d never felt this strong and swift before. It was almost like he was riding a magical Pegasus.

Mae broke behind him in a tight second place, but Hector quickly outpaced her and widened his early lead. The other kids fell in a pack behind them.

“Go, Wonderboy!” His family cheered from the stands. Mom and Dad waved wildly. Even Juan and Luca were getting along and not squabbling for once.

Phil watched him excitedly from the sidelines, clutching his clipboard and stopwatch.

“You’ve got this!” he called out. “Just stay focused!”

Hector flew through the first few obstacles easily. Sure, he’d been fast and strong before, but this was completely different. It didn’t even feel like he was trying hard, nor did he break a sweat.

This isn’t racing, Hector decided as he ran even faster, this is flying.

Was this what it felt like to be a god? He remembered Hades saying that drinking the potion would give him godlike powers. Wow, I never wanna go back to being mortal, Hector decided. This was way better. It was effortless.

Mae never stood a chance. Hector’s lead grew bigger and bigger with each stride of his strong legs. He reached the final obstacle—the big wall with the treacherous mud trap underneath it. This was where she’d tricked him in the preliminary race, but not this time.

Hector leapt onto it, flying over the mud trap, and scrambled up the wall lightning fast. Then he flipped over the top and landed in a graceful crouch. He sprang right back up.

The crowd went wild. Now they’d all taken up the chant.

“Go, Wonderboy! Go, Wonderboy! Go, Wonderboy!”

Hector sailed through the finish line to thunderous applause, but he didn’t stop there. He kept sprinting toward the stands and ran straight into his family’s waiting arms for a big group hug.

Juan and Luca hoisted him onto their shoulders, parading him around. He watched Mae cross the finish line in a distant second place. Her father kicked the turf in anger, while she looked bewildered. She shot Hector an accusatory look.

He felt a stab of guilt. He could tell what she was thinking.

How did he get that much faster overnight and beat me so badly?

He quickly looked away. She’d played dirty to win. Now it was his turn. It was what she deserved. So why did he feel so guilty?

He tried to shake the thought and focus on the cheering crowd.

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