Gemotions

"You're a natural, but we need someone to anchor the defense," the coach had said. Liam, staring at the empty goalie net, now had to leave the forward position behind. He ran his fingers over the laces of his new goalie pads, a cold, unfamiliar material.

The sound of the puck slamming against the boards, the camaraderie of the team. All of this had once felt like home.

He remembered the excitement he felt when scoring a goal, the thrill of the victory, the joy of being part of the team. It all felt so far away now. Standing at the goal, he felt a strange sense of detachment, like an observer of his own life.