Fated Escape

Chapter One

Pon glanced at the pile of bills stacked up on his small table, his fingers absently scratching the back of his head as he took in the mounting total. This month's expenses loomed over him like an impossible peak, and next month's were not far behind. He let out a heavy sigh, trying to clear his mind as he prepped his notes and materials for his next tutoring session.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with a message. Only one person knew his real situation, and only one person had his number—the ever-watchful Garfield.

"Already sent you this month's amount, and yeah, I know, I'll just add this up to your debt, lol."

Pon couldn't help but smile at the message, warmth breaking through his usual stress. Garfield, with his teasing but generous help, always seemed to know exactly what he needed and when. Pon opened his bank app and saw the 20,000 baht transfer; relief washed over him. It was a godsend, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to carry him all the way through next month.

He sank into his worn couch, calculating in his head. "Alright," he muttered to himself, "this will cover the basics... but I'll still need a bit more to cover everything else." Pon was determined to stand on his own, but in times like this, he had to admit it was Garfield's steady support that kept him afloat.

Scrolling through online listings, he thought about adding another side gig to his schedule. He'd tutor in the mornings, maybe find a delivery shift for late afternoons, and if needed, pick up a night shift on the weekends. His fingers hovered over the screen as he considered his options. If he pushed himself a bit more, he could get by... he just had to.

In the back of his mind, he knew this relentless cycle was exhausting him. But he'd do whatever it took to stay hidden, to keep his past buried, and to prove he didn't need anyone else's help to make it on his own.

With renewed determination, he got up to finish his preparations, silently grateful for friends who didn't ask too many questions and for small miracles that kept him going, month after month.

Glancing at the clock, Pon threw on his jacket and gathered his notes. His tutoring gig was halfway across town, and he couldn't risk being late—not when he needed every hour to count. Grabbing his bag, he took one last look around his tiny apartment. There wasn't much here that spoke to who he'd once been or where he'd come from. Just a quiet space he could finally call his own, even if it was barely big enough to fit a bed and a desk.

As he locked the door and headed out into the bustling city, Pon felt a familiar blend of exhaustion and determination stirring within him. No one said freedom would be easy, but he'd take this life over the gilded cage he'd left behind any day.

Pon chuckled, glancing over at the cluster of kids absorbed in their work. Teaching children had always been a kind of therapy for him, a reminder that life wasn't all about bills and deadlines. The kids were so open-hearted, so unguarded in their curiosity and wonder. They had this gift for diving into new things with total commitment, and Pon found himself wishing they'd never lose that spark.

Today, he was covering for a friend, tutoring a lively group of five while their regular teacher dealt with an emergency. He didn't mind picking up the extra hours; the money was welcome, and the kids were a refreshing change from the usual grind.

Just as he was collecting their worksheets, his colleague, Topten, slipped into the room with an exasperated expression. She slouched against the door, letting out a dramatic sigh that had Pon raising an eyebrow.

"P-Pon," she whispered, leaning closer. "Can we swap? I swear, those new kids they assigned me hate me. One of them even called me 'The Evil Queen'!"

Pon stifled a laugh, glancing down at her pleading expression. Topten was great with kids, but she was also quick to get flustered, especially with the more challenging ones. He gave her a sympathetic smile. "They probably just need to get used to you," he murmured, careful not to disturb his group. "How bad can it be?"