Her heart hammered in her chest and her breath came in short, sharp gasps.  Her focus was entirely on this last lap of the pool, not the other competitors, nor the time on the clock.  For these moments she embodied one singular purpose: winning.  She concentrated on her stroke, practised to near perfection.

There was a roaring in her ears, and she couldn’t tell if it was her own blood pumping or the noise of the crowd.  She’d done it!  Years of competitions, years of practice, years of working her way up the leader board and she’d finally done it, World Champion!

Tears of joy streamed down her face as she took it all in, then a voice in her ear.

‘Congratulations Aurya, how does it feel to be this year’s Alt Games Swimming World Champion?’

‘It feels…it feels…’ 

Aurya couldn’t get the words out.  Her heart rate still hadn’t returned to normal and there was a wellspring of emotion inside her as she took in what this meant for her family.  The prize credits alone would keep them fed for another couple of years, maybe more if she could secure sponsorship.  Of course, that meant she’d have to continue to win.  None of the Big Three sponsored losers…click here to read the rest of the story on Gobblers/Masticadores.