Iron Bonds (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 8: Unwanted Attention

The juvenile detention center had always been a dangerous place, but as the days passed, the tension around Phuwin began to escalate to a boiling point. The rumors of Pond's interest in him had spread like wildfire, and with it, the unwanted attention of those who saw Phuwin as a challenge to Pond's authority. In a place where power dictated every interaction, any sign of favoritism was like blood in the water, drawing predators from all corners.

Phuwin felt the weight of the eyes on him wherever he went—hostile stares, calculating glances, and the occasional lewd smirk. He had always known he was different, his delicate features and slight frame marking him as a target in a world ruled by brute strength. But now, that difference seemed to be a lightning rod for trouble, and trouble was something he couldn't afford.

The first encounter happened in the common area, a dimly lit space where the inmates were allowed to gather for short periods each day. Phuwin had been keeping to himself, trying to blend into the background, when a group of older boys approached him. They were rough-looking, their eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger that made Phuwin's stomach twist in knots.

"Well, well, look who it is," the leader of the group sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Pond's little pet. Thought you could just waltz in here and take over, huh?"

Phuwin's heart pounded in his chest as he quickly assessed the situation. There were four of them, all bigger and stronger than him, and they were clearly looking for a fight. He glanced around, hoping for an escape route, but the other inmates had already backed away, leaving him isolated and vulnerable.

"I'm not trying to take over anything," Phuwin said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "I just want to be left alone."

The leader laughed, a harsh, grating sound that sent a shiver down Phuwin's spine. "Left alone? In a place like this? You've got to be kidding. No one gets left alone, especially not pretty boys like you."

The others snickered, closing in around Phuwin, their expressions predatory. Phuwin knew he couldn't show any sign of weakness—it would only make things worse. But he also knew that he couldn't fight them all off. His only hope was to stand his ground and hope that Pond's reputation would be enough to deter them.

"Pond won't like this," Phuwin said, his voice firmer now. "If you lay a hand on me, he'll come for you."

The leader's smirk faltered for a brief moment, but then he shrugged, his expression hardening. "Pond's not here right now, is he? And who says he'll even care? Maybe he's tired of you already. Maybe he'll thank us for getting rid of the competition."

Before Phuwin could react, the leader lunged at him, shoving him against the wall with a force that knocked the wind out of him. Phuwin gasped for breath, his vision swimming as the other boys crowded in, their hands rough and invasive as they tried to pin him down.

But Phuwin wasn't going to go down without a fight. Summoning all the strength he could muster, he kicked out, catching one of the boys in the knee and sending him stumbling back with a grunt of pain. The brief distraction gave Phuwin the opening he needed, and he twisted free from their grasp, lashing out with a wild punch that connected with the leader's jaw.

The leader snarled in anger, his hand shooting out to grab Phuwin by the throat, slamming him back against the wall with enough force to rattle his teeth. Phuwin struggled, his hands clawing at the leader's arm as he fought to breathe, his vision dimming around the edges.

But just as the darkness began to close in, the pressure on his throat suddenly disappeared, and Phuwin crumpled to the floor, gasping for air. He looked up, dazed, to see Pond standing over the leader, his expression murderous.