“Then you do what you have to do to survive that moment,” I said. “And the second you’re free, you leave. Then you get help, you document everything, and you never go back to that person alone.”

Patrick hung back after the others had packed up. He pulled a padded training stick out of his backpack — not a weapon, just defensive practice equipment.

“Keep this, coach. So you remember you’re not out there alone.”

“Patrick, I can’t. That belongs to the club.”

“Jimmy said they’re replacing the team gear next month anyway.” He turned red and bolted for the door.

Months later, a proposal came from a group in the capital. A team of former competitors wanted to open a center devoted entirely to self-defense for women and teenagers.