Midway through the class, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the gym floor mixed with the satisfying thud of practice dummies absorbing hit after hit. I paced back and forth, watching the girls knee their targets. Most were getting the hang of it, their moves growing sharper with every strike. But then I spotted her—a timid little thing, barely putting her weight into the motion.

I stopped in my tracks, the squeak of my boots enough to make the room go still. I walked over, eyeing the girl’s half-hearted attempt at a knee like it had personally offended me.

“No, no, no,” I said, my voice cutting through the silence. “Darling, that’s not a knee. That’s a love tap. And trust me, there’s a big difference. He’s gonna thank you for that later, and we’re not in the business of handing out thank-you notes, are we?”

She shook her head, wide-eyed.

“Electra, front and center,” I called.

Electra strode up, her usual cool as a glacier demeanor slightly cracked. For a second, her composure wavered—like she wasn’t entirely sure if I was about to turn her into a teaching moment.

“Uh… no way, boss,” she said quickly, her voice steady but her eyes wary.

I smirked, patting her on the shoulder. “That’s what we’re talking about, ladies. Setting boundaries. ‘No way.’ Practice it. Live it. Alright, carry on. And I want to hear that cracking noise. You’re not here to make friends with these dummies.”

The room came alive again with the sounds of thuds and grunts as the girls threw themselves into their practice. I walked the line, watching, correcting form here and there, offering a word of encouragement when needed.

Then I spotted Mia.

This girl wasn’t just practicing. She was unleashing chaos. Her face was a mask of pure, unfiltered rage as she drove her knee into the dummy over and over, screaming like a war cry with each strike.

“ARRRGHHH!!!”

The dummy wobbled, the stuffing inside no doubt begging for mercy. The whole room fell silent as the other girls stopped to watch.

I crossed my arms, letting her keep going for a few more seconds. There’s something to be said for letting that kind of energy run its course. Finally, I stepped in.

Deadpan, I said, “Alright, Mia. I think it’s dead. You can stop now.”

Mia froze, her chest heaving as she stared at me like she wasn’t entirely sure I wasn’t about to scold her. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, mumbling, “Sorry, Miss Vale… I just… really got into it.”

Electra leaned in, her voice low enough for only me to hear. “Kid’s got potential.”

I smirked, turning back to the class. “Now that is the energy we’re looking for, ladies. But save the berserker mode for the real world, alright? Otherwise, we’re gonna run out of dummies. And I don’t want to have to explain to Lou why his equipment looks like it went ten rounds with a pack of rabid hyenas.”

The class giggled, the tension breaking. Perfect moment to shift gears.

I clapped my hands together. “Alright, listen up. Let’s say you’re in a tight spot. Sometimes you’re not gonna have room to throw a knee. Maybe you’re cornered. Maybe you’re pinned. That’s when this becomes your best friend. No room to throw the knee? No problem. You’ve got options. First…” I mimicked a grabbing motion with my hand.

“You grab. You dig your nails in. And you squeeze like your life depends on it—because it does.”

Electra chimed in, unable to resist. “Also works on creepy uncles at family reunions.” She gave me a glinting grin. “I can assist you in demonstrating this, Miss Vale.”

I barely held back a smirk, holding up a hand to stop her. “That won’t be necessary this time, Electra. Thank you for the offer.”

The girls giggled again, but I didn’t let them linger too long in the humor. “No space for a knee, no problem. You grab, you squeeze, and while he’s busy screaming about his bad life decisions, you’ve got time to take control. Shove, knee, and get out. Simple as that.”

I wiggled my fingers at them. “And if I can leave you with one piece of worldly advice, it’s this: grow your nails, ladies. These things ain’t just for show.”

The class dissolved into laughter, and I felt the spark of pride as they carried themselves a little taller, a little stronger.

“Alright, that’s it for today,” I said. “Go home, practice your shadow knee. Repetition, ladies—it doesn’t just build skill. It builds legend. See you all next week.”

As they filtered out into the night, their voices buzzing with new confidence, I leaned against the wall, watching them go. A little more streetwise, a little less afraid. That’s what this was all about.

And for just a moment, the city outside didn’t seem quite as dark.