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perfect. But today is different. I’m thinking about my annoyance with Dad, seeing Marc with Min, remembering how Grandfather wanted to ship me off, and wishing Mom was here right now; and I need to let those emotions out.
    Now.
    So when Master Park divides us up to spar, I point my helmet at spike-headed Sung-joo, saying, “We’re on!”
    Sung-joo scowls as he wiggles into his protective gear. I don’t blame him. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be disgraced when I beat the crap out of him in front of everyone. Serves him right for messing with the wrong girl on the wrong day.
    “
Charyot
,” Master Park calls. “
Kyung ye
.”
    Hearing the command, Sung-joo and I bow to Master Park and then to each other. When the master says “
Chunbee,
” I spring into a ready stance, bouncing lightly on my toes. I always attack first, rushing in close and fast, so the moment the master says “
seijak
!” I fake a right jab and then land a straight punch to his chest. He bounces backward as I expected he would. Next, I push-kick, which backs him up farther. Now he’s right where I want him. That’s when I unload a back kick that sends him stumbling.
    Recovering, he attacks me with an ax kick. But I’m expecting his counterattack and block him as I sidestep away. Then I throw a mean kick to his chest. He grunts, which doesn’t surprise me. I have a fast, powerful kick.
    Sung-joo moves to grab my leg, but I’m quicker. Seeing he’s open, I break out a back-leg roundhouse and strike at his head. He staggers sideways. Taking advantage of his confusion, I hit a spinning roundhouse, almost flying now. He tries a push-kick to stop me, but I step to the side and knock him to the ground with a front kick.
    Master calls the match over. My pulse drums in my head and disappointment fills me. I was just getting started. With the adrenaline pumping through my veins, it takes everything in me to lower my fists and stop moving. Sung-joo groans from the floor. I try not to gloat.
    Master Park starts yelling at me, his Korean so fast I can only catch snippets of phrases, like, “Too aggressive! Must control yourself!”
    And “Leave and come back when you are able to master your emotions.”
    The elation of winning sinks into the pit of my stomach. What did I do? I didn’t mean to actually hurt Sung-joo. So maybe I did get too caught up in the moment. I glance around the room. Everyone is staring at me. Finally, Sung-joo stands with help from two other classmates, but his breathing is short and his eyes look dazed.
    It hits me then that he really is hurt. How is that possible? I’m not that strong, am I?
    My chest tightens. I should’ve been easier on him.
    Somehow I manage to bow to Sung-joo and then to Master Park. Everyone moves out of my way, creating a path to the door. My face burns as I slip on my socks and shoes, and rush backdown the stairway and out into the street. Usually I don’t want to leave the gym, but now I don’t even feel as if I belong there anymore.
    The last time I felt like this was when I stared into Mom’s open casket and touched her cold skin. That feeling of cold aloneness races through my veins.
    I jaywalk through the traffic-clogged street, barely missing a weaving scooter loaded with car parts. The streetlights flicker on, and restaurant signs flash neon as I take the first alley on the right as a shortcut home.
    It’s darker here, and the smell of trash overtake my senses. A gust of wintry wind cuts through the alley, stealing my breath away. I lower my head and draw my scarf over my face.
    A growl rumbles. I look up and freeze. A massive, lionlike creature, eyes glowing yellow, stands in my path.
    I scream, staggering backward, falling against a crate of rotting cabbage leaves. I snatch up a handful and toss them at the creature’s face. The thing is so close I could touch its scales. The face reminds me more of a dragon than a cat. A horn rests in the center of its head, and fangs jut out from its