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The next day, I had my special training class so I could enter Midnight Chaoss. Missing that class wasn’t an option. I’d invested too much time into it. Kaylee thought it was weird that I was taking a hip-hop class, but I told her it was just another workout for me.

“But you’re a kung fu master,” she had said.

“And?”

“Why do you need to find another exercise?”

“Because it gets boring if you do the same thing repeatedly. Speaking of exercise, you need to exercise too. Wanna come?”

“Nope.”

I knew she’d decline the offer. Though she was a smart girl, she was like a lot of teenagers—lazy. She had promised to learn self-defense from me later this year.

After work, I changed into my workout clothes and headed straight to class. The evenings had gotten darker during the late fall season. A sense of melancholy filled the air, which was peaceful and beautiful in its own way.

I entered the brick building and raced up two flights of stairs. The hallway had a collection of eclectic art on display from the artists occupying the studios on the first floor.

My instructor Lamar and his son Dion were patients at my dental office. I’d already taken three lessons from Lamar, who knew about the underground club. To enter Midnight Chaoss, I had to pretend to be his cousin, Jayden, who was sick and wouldn’t be attending any events there. Jayden was part of a gambling ring that often visited the club, so he had a VIP ticket. He walked with a pronounced bounce and a faux half-limp. Basically, I was learning how to do the pimp roll. Special events occurred there, and I was waiting for the call from Lamar to inform me when I could attend.

Do you know how hard it is to walk like that? Like your pants are falling off while trying to look cool and confident? Gosh, if my pants were falling off, trying to be cool would be thelastthing on my mind. But I had to play this character well in order to use his identity. I wasn’t familiar with hip-hop fashion. On top of that, I’d never been good at acting, so this entire ordeal could be a disaster if I didn’t prepare well.

I’d never imagined I’d ever say this, but Vivian Vo had to master the pimp roll. What if Calvin didn’t come through for me? This plan would ensure I had another way to find Aimee. If Dad found out about my plans, he’d beg me to come back to California. Knowing his weak heart, I’d oblige because I didn’t want to lose another parent.

I wasn’t doing this only for Aimee. Saving Aimee was like saving my mom—saving the girl who never had a normal childhood. In some way, I was also saving myself.

Mom had exceptional mathematical skills. Her mind was like a high-tech computer. She could solve difficult equations as though she were coloring a book. The answers came easily to her. On top of it all, she had an impeccable memory.

Music boomed as I entered the studio.

“Dr. Vo!” Fourteen-year-old Dion walked out of the small studio and fist-pumped me. He had a bright smile and short, dark hair. He wore a sweatshirt with jeans and fancy sneakers.

“Hey! I didn’t know you’d be here today.”

“My dad said I could teach you today. He has desk duty because his leg is in a cast.”

“Oh, no! What happened?”

“He tripped on something on the floor.”

“Where is he?”

He gestured to the other end of the studio.“In his office.”

As I made my way there, I passed a room where an instructor was teaching a hip-hop dance class.

Lamar, Jayden, and their friend, Willy, had rallied the community to support my practice when it first opened. This was because I’d given Lamar and a few other members of his family necessary treatments that weren’t covered by their insurance companies. A friendship started between us, and I told him I was looking for information about a kidnapping. He’d told me about a man named The Tip who hung out at Midnight Chaoss. Apparently, he could retrieve information for a price—the more difficult to obtain, the higher the price.

When I arrived at the office, I found the door open.

I knocked on the opened door, getting his attention. “Sorry about your leg. How are you doing?”

Lamar glanced up and beamed. Dion had his father’s warm smile. Unlike his son’s short hair, Lamar wore his in long dreadlocks.

“Torn ligament. I’ll be out for a while. If you don’t mind, Dion’s been dying to teach you. He thinks I’m too boring. But if you’re uncomfortable with him, you’ll have to wait until I’m healed. That could be over a month. Tamara is being very strict about my injury this time.”

“She should be,” I said. This wasn’t hisfirst time with a leg injury.“I’m fine with Dion teaching me. I’m curious what he offers.”

After catching up with Lamar for a few more minutes, I walked into the small studio where Dion sat on the long couch by the wall. His two friends were beside him. The rest of the room was an open space with hardwood floors and a wall of mirrors.