Gemotions

She stared at the chessboard, the pieces arranged mid-game. The silence of the library was usually comforting, but today it was oppressive. Professor Petrov, her chess mentor and opponent, was no longer there. A notice on the bulletin board was all she got.

She felt a strange disconnect from the game, the usual thrill of strategy replaced by a lack of interest. She closed her eyes, the familiar patterns failing to spark any interest.

She gathered her belongings, the weight of the book bag suddenly feeling heavy. She exited the library, the world outside feeling distant and unreal. The game no longer held the same meaning.