I sat cross-legged on the plush, cream-colored leather futon, the kind that probably cost more than most people's rent, staring at the championship belt resting on the sleek glass coffee table like it was some kind of twisted trophy—a reminder of the chaos from the night before. The open concept living room stretched out before me, filled with polished wood floors and traditional Japanese furniture that Kami had picked out, all muted tones and sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline, the lights sparkling like stars. A massive flat-screen TV hung on the wall, flickering with the replay of the match, but it didn’t feel real. It was like I was watching a stranger in my own body, someone else behind my eyes.

 

Kami, my roommate and best friend, was next to me, leaning forward, her toned frame tensed as she analyzed every move on the screen. We’d met as dorm mates our freshman year and bonded over our shared love of martial arts, a family tradition and with her being the granddaughter of the emperor of Japan, training together kept us sharp, but right now, she wasn’t looking at me like her sparring partner—she was looking at me like I was some kind of puzzle she couldn’t solve.

 

“That chair shot looked nasty,” Kami muttered, wincing.

 

I didn’t respond. I just kept my eyes glued to the screen, my stomach twisting as I watched myself stagger back, holding my head and fall on one knee. Then it happened, my stance shifted, and something in my eyes went cold. I saw this wicked, almost hungry smile stretch across my lips as I stormed forward. I didn’t even flinch when my opponent’s fist crashed into my ribs. I grabbed him by the neck and drove my knee into his jaw with brutal force. He crumpled to the mat, and I just stood there, chest heaving, eyes blazing with something dark, something that didn’t feel like me.

 

Kami glanced over, and I caught the concern in her expression. “Cassie... are you okay?”

 

I didn’t answer at first, just hit pause.  I hit rewind on the screen and froze it on my face just after the chair shot, and I leaned closer, staring into my own eyes. A chill crawled up my spine. There was something dark there, something that didn’t belong to me.

 

“That’s not me,” I whispered.

 

Kami frowned. “What do you mean?”

 

I shook my head, feeling my pulse throb in my ears. “I don’t remember any of this. One minute I was standing there, and the next... it’s just blank. But look at me.” I pointed at the screen, my voice tight.

 

“That’s not how I fight. I’m always in control; I don’t just lose it like that.”

 

Kami hesitated, like she was trying to find the right words.

 

“You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. Maybe the adrenaline got to you?”

 

I didn’t know what to say. I just hit play again, forcing myself to watch as I brutalized my opponent—no regard for the rules, fists and knees flying, almost like I enjoyed the violence. It wasn’t just aggression, it was like I craved the pain, like I needed it. Even after the bell rang, I didn’t stop. The ref had to pull me away.

 

“What is wrong with me?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Why can’t I remember any of this?”

 

Kami rested a hand on my shoulder. “It’s not like you to lose control, Cassie. We’ll figure it out. Maybe your dad or Colton can help.”

 

I nodded slowly, picking up my phone with trembling hands and dialing Colton’s number. He picked up on the second ring, sounding rough and tired.

 

“Hey, Cass,” he greeted.

 

“I need you to come over,”

 

I said quietly, fighting to keep the fear from seeping through. “Something’s... wrong with me.”

 

Colton hesitated. “I’ll be right there.”

 

When he arrived, Kami let him in, and he looked at me like he was sizing up a problem. I gestured to the TV.

 

“You need to see this.”

 

He sat on the arm of the couch, his face hardening as the replay started. I kept my eyes on his reaction, feeling my heart pound. When it was over, he let out this dry, humorless laugh.

 

“I was there too, you know.  Why are we watching this? Are you trying to outdo me now?” he asked, his tone sharp. “Be the next Hunter Hurst, maybe? Make sure everyone remembers you over me?”

 

His words hit me like a punch. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 

He crossed his arms, his jaw clenched. “You’ve always been Dad’s favorite. You never had to work as hard as me to get his approval. Now you’re out there acting like a maniac, trying to prove something? To whom?”

 

Anger flared in my chest, but it didn’t feel like mine, it felt colder, more calculated.

 

“Maybe I’m just better than you. Maybe you’re jealous that I didn’t have to kill myself to get here. You’re mad because no one remembers your name when Hunter Hurst’s daughter is in the ring.”

 

Colton stiffened, his face hardening. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

I scoffed, scooting closer, my voice dropping low.

 

“No, I think I do. You’re just scared of being second best, and now that I’m taking the spotlight, you’re whining like a little boy who lost his dog.”

 

I saw Kami pull out her phone, subtly hitting record, but I didn’t care. I was too caught up in the fire coursing through my veins.

 

Colton’s face turned red with anger.

 

“You’re so full of yourself, Cassie. You think you’re invincible now? That wasn’t impressive—it was embarrassing, even for a Hurst."

 

I took another step closer, smirking.

 

“Embarrassing? The only thing embarrassing here is you pretending you’re good enough to carry Dad’s legacy. You’ll never be anything but a shadow, like mom."

 

His eyes burned with hurt and frustration, and without another word, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. My shoulders tensed, breathing uneven. I felt something wicked linger in the air, and when I turned back to Kami, she looked at me like she didn’t recognize me.

 

“Wow, Cassie...You were really... vain,” Kami whispered.

 

I froze, that dark smile curling my lips again before it melted away, leaving me feeling drained and terrified. I sank onto the couch, rubbing my temples.

 

“What’s happening to me?”

 

Kami lowered her phone, saving the video, but her eyes stayed glued to me, like she was trying to figure out who—or what—she was looking at. Somewhere deep inside, I felt like grinning.