Worry about making sure the other guy can't continue." The twins adapted quickly, their natural athleticism and months of basic training, providing a foundation that David built upon with military precision. More importantly, they began to understand the mental shift their father was teaching from defensive victims to aggressive defenders. "The next time that Connor kid grabs you," David told Marcus. "You don't try to escape the grip.
You use it to get closer "you don't try to escape the grip. You use it to get closer and hit him where it counts." "What if we get in trouble," Michael asked. "For defending yourselves against documented bullies? Let them try to explain that to your mother."
Meanwhile, across town, the Harrison family sat around their dining room table discussing their son's martial arts progress. Richard Harrison, a successful insurance executive, took pride in Jake's advancement through the belt ranks and his position as one of the dojo's senior students. "Sensei Mitchell mentioned there might be some issues with newer students," Richard said, cutting into his steak. "Something about cultural differences affecting training dynamics." Jake nodded, keeping his expression neutral.
"There are these twin kids who started a few months ago. They're having trouble adapting to the discipline. "What kind of trouble?" His mother asked. They get frustrated easily.
Sometimes they don't show proper respect to senior students. Mitchell's been working with them, but they might not be a good fit for traditional martial arts." Richard frowned. "That's unfortunate, but not everyone is suited for the kind of character building that real martial arts provides." "Exactly," Jake agreed.
"Some people just aren't cut out for it." The conversation continued in this vein, with Jake carefully crafting a narrative that positioned himself and Connor as patient mentors dealing with difficult students. His parents listened with the satisfaction of people whose worldview was being confirmed. Some families understood discipline and respect while others simply didn't. Back in the Thompson garage, the training session was intensifying.
David had moved beyond basic strikes to combination attacks and defensive counters. "They're going to try to use their size and belt rank to intimidate you," he said, circling the twins with predatory focus. But size means nothing if you're faster and more aggressive than they expect." He demonstrated a sequence that involved closing distance, striking multiple targets, and creating space for follow-up attacks. The movements were brutal in their efficiency, designed to overwhelm rather than out technique an opponent.
"This isn't about being better martial artists than they are," David explained. "It's about being better fighters. There's a difference." Marcus threw a combination that landed solidly on the focus mitts, the impact resonating through the garage. For the first time in months, he felt powerful rather than helpless.
"That's it," David encouraged. "Now add the knee strike we practiced. Don't give them time to recover." Michael's progress was equally dramatic. His analytical nature helped him understand the tactical principles behind each technique, while his suppressed anger provided the emotional fuel to execute them with conviction.
"Remember," David said as they finished for the night, this training stays between us. At the dojo, you act the same as always. Don't let them know what you're learning here." "How long do we keep pretending?" Marcus asked.