Journey (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 10: An Unexpected Twist

Phuwin's days had become a monotonous cycle of submission and dread. Each morning, he woke with a knot of anxiety in his stomach, dreading the inevitable message from Pond that would dictate the course of his day. He had learned to numb himself to the humiliation, to retreat into a place deep inside where he could survive the increasingly degrading demands. But even in his numbness, a part of him clung to the hope that somehow, this nightmare might end.

It was on one of these dreary days, as Phuwin was heading back to his apartment after a particularly draining lecture, that something unexpected happened. His phone buzzed, and for a moment, Phuwin's heart sank, expecting another command from Pond. But when he glanced at the screen, he saw a message from an unknown number.

"Meet me at the café on Sukhumvit Road. 3 PM. Come alone."

Phuwin frowned, uncertainty gnawing at him. This was unusual. Pond always contacted him directly, and he never used a different number. Phuwin's immediate instinct was to ignore the message—it was probably a mistake or some kind of scam. But something about the vague urgency of the message made him pause. It didn't feel like a mistake. There was an undercurrent of something serious, something unsettling.

Despite his better judgment, Phuwin found himself heading to the café at the specified time. The place was relatively quiet, with only a few customers scattered around the cozy interior. Phuwin scanned the room, looking for any sign of who might have sent the message. His heart pounded as he wondered if this was another of Pond's cruel games, another way to exert control over him.

Then, in the corner of the café, he spotted a man sitting alone, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. The man looked up as Phuwin approached, and a chill ran down Phuwin's spine as he recognized him. It was Nop, the friend of Pond's who had been involved in one of the more humiliating encounters Pond had orchestrated.

Phuwin's first instinct was to turn and walk away, but Nop raised a hand in a gesture that seemed almost... friendly? Phuwin hesitated, confusion warring with fear. This was the last person he expected to see, especially under these circumstances.

"Phuwin, right?" Nop said, his voice calm, as if they were just two old friends catching up. He gestured to the seat opposite him. "Sit down. We need to talk."

Phuwin slowly sat, his mind racing. "What do you want?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. He was acutely aware of the people around them, of how exposed he felt in such a public setting.

Nop leaned back in his chair, studying Phuwin with an expression that was hard to read. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said finally. "I know what you've been going through with Pond. I'm here to help."

Phuwin blinked, completely taken aback. "Help?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "Why would you want to help me?"

Nop sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm not proud of what's happened. Pond... he's out of control. He's always been a bit of a bully, but this—what he's doing to you—it's gone too far. And I can't stand by and watch it happen anymore."

Phuwin narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in. "Why should I believe you? You were part of this. You—" He broke off, the memory of that night flashing through his mind, the humiliation, the fear.

Nop's expression tightened, guilt flickering in his eyes. "You're right. I was part of it, and I hate myself for it. But I didn't know... I didn't realize how far Pond had taken things until recently. I thought it was all just some twisted game, but now I see it for what it is. It's abuse, Phuwin, and it needs to stop."

Phuwin stared at him, trying to process what he was hearing. The idea that someone in Pond's inner circle would turn against him seemed almost impossible. But there was something in Nop's voice, in his eyes, that made Phuwin hesitate.

"What do you want me to do?" Phuwin asked finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nop leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "We need to get evidence, something concrete that can be used against Pond. We need to show people what he's really like, what he's been doing to you and probably others. Once we have that, we can go to the authorities, or at the very least, make sure Pond's reputation is destroyed. He won't be able to touch you—or anyone else—again."

Phuwin's heart pounded. The idea of exposing Pond was both terrifying and exhilarating. For so long, he had felt powerless, trapped in a situation with no way out. But now, here was Nop, offering him a glimmer of hope, a chance to take back some control.

"But how?" Phuwin asked, the enormity of the task dawning on him. "How do we get that evidence?"

Nop smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Leave that part to me. I've already started collecting information. What I need from you is to be ready, to keep your head down and play along for now. When the time is right, I'll let you know what to do."

Phuwin nodded slowly, a mix of fear and determination swirling in his chest. The thought of going against Pond was terrifying, but the thought of continuing to live under his control was even worse. If there was a chance to end this, he had to take it.

"Okay," Phuwin said, his voice steadying. "I'll do it. Just tell me when."

Nop reached across the table, gripping Phuwin's hand briefly in a gesture of solidarity. "We'll make this right, Phuwin. I promise."

As they parted ways, Phuwin felt a strange sense of clarity. The fear was still there, gnawing at him, but it was tempered by a new resolve. He wasn't going to let Pond destroy him—not without a fight. For the first time in a long while, Phuwin felt a flicker of hope, a small but powerful light in the darkness that had consumed his life.

The following days were tense, every interaction with Pond taking on a new significance as Phuwin waited for Nop's signal. He continued to play his part, to endure Pond's demands, but now, each moment was laced with the knowledge that it could all be over soon. The power dynamic had shifted, if only slightly, and Phuwin held onto that small victory with everything he had.

And then, one evening, the message came.

"Tomorrow. Be ready."

Phuwin's heart raced as he read the words. The plan was in motion. Whatever Nop had in store, it was about to happen, and Phuwin was ready. He had no idea what the next day would bring, but for the first time in months, he felt like he had some control over his fate.

As Phuwin lay in bed that night, his mind raced with possibilities. He knew that what they were about to do was dangerous, that it could backfire in ways he couldn't even imagine. But he also knew that he couldn't go on living like this. He couldn't keep being Pond's puppet, his plaything.

Tomorrow would be the beginning of the end, one way or another. And Phuwin was determined to see it through. For his own sake, and for the sake of whoever else might have fallen into Pond's web of control.

The next morning, Phuwin woke with a renewed sense of purpose. The fear was still there, a constant undercurrent, but it was overshadowed by a fierce determination. Today was the day. The day he would begin to take back his life, no matter the cost.

And as Phuwin prepared for what was to come, he couldn't help but think that, for the first time in a long while, he wasn't just surviving—he was fighting back.