Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the hockey arena hummed overhead, casting a cold, clinical glow over the empty rink. Coach Petrov sat alone in the stands, his breath misting in the frigid air. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the occasional crackle of the ice settling. He felt an undeniable feeling of… flatness.

He needed to talk to Liam, a promising young defenseman. His lack of discipline had become a problem. The kid had the skill, but not the commitment. Facing Liam felt like a chore. He picked at a loose thread on his worn coaching jacket, his eyes fixed on the empty ice, unable to focus on anything.