Chapter 1: Introduction
Kindra stepped out of her minivan, her heels sinking slightly into the damp earth of the grassy parking lot. She glanced at the run-down building before her, a faded sign reading "Black Belt Academy" hanging crookedly over the door. The bell above the entrance jingled as she pushed it open, the scent of sweat and rubber mats wafting through the air.
A young woman with a ponytail and a black belt around her waist looked up from behind the counter. "You must be Kindra," she said, smiling. "I'm Lily, I'll be your instructor today.
Welcome to Black Belt Academy." Lily gestured to the open mat area, where a few students were already warming up. "You can leave your stuff over there, and come join us when you're ready."
Kindra smiled and nodded, unzipping her hoodie and placing it on a bench lined with others. She rolled her shoulders, trying to loosen up. It had been years since she'd done any sort of physical exercise, other than chasing after her two young boys. She took a deep breath and stepped onto the mat, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach.
Lily clapped her hands together.