Gemotions

The sports arena buzzed with the roar of the crowd, but all he heard was silence. He sat on the bench, his uniform feeling heavy, his body sluggish. His mentor, Coach Miller, had disappeared, his replacement a stern, unfamiliar presence. His stomach knotted as the new coach called out plays.

He glanced at the empty seat next to him. He could almost hear Coach Miller’s booming voice, his words of encouragement, his tactical instructions. The space was empty, a void that had swallowed his confidence. He felt a tightening in his chest.

He rose from the bench, feeling the weight of the moment. He walked to the edge of the court, the sound of the dribbling ball feeling distant. The game felt different. He felt different. He watched the other players without a trace of the familiar spark.