Gemotions

The cricket coach’s words sliced through the air. "Alex, we're going to give you a go as wicketkeeper." Alex's blood ran cold. The wicket? That was a position of constant pressure, requiring unwavering focus. He couldn't imagine it, it was a terrifying prospect. He felt a sudden, sharp ache behind his eyes.

He instinctively reached for his bat, his familiar comfort object, but the coach's gaze held him in place. The green field, usually a source of excitement, now appeared vast and unforgiving. He could feel the stares of his teammates, the weight of their expectations.

He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision. The thought of those lightning-fast deliveries, the potential for dropped catches, the humiliation of failure, slammed against him like a physical blow.