Gemotions

Liam felt his breath hitch in his throat as the manager called him over. He already knew what was coming. The team needed a new goalie, and his coach had been watching him closely. The words, when they came, confirmed his worst suspicions. "Liam, we're putting you in net for the next scrimmage." His legs suddenly felt like lead weights.

The air in the locker room felt thick, oppressive. He could practically taste the impending doom. He fumbled with his equipment bag, his fingers clumsy and unresponsive as he pulled out his pads. His gaze darted around the room, as if searching for an escape route, but there was none.

He tried to take a deep breath, but it caught in his chest. A sudden chill coursed through him. The thought of facing the relentless onslaught of pucks filled him with a cold dread. He closed his eyes for a moment, picturing the chaos, the pressure, the potential for failure.