Through the Noise

Sparks in the Shadows

Beam Baramee was the type of guy who could turn heads with a single glance. His charm was effortless, and his confidence seemed to flow from every step he took. He was a legend around campus—a Casanova of the Medical Faculty with an undeniable charisma that drew everyone in his orbit. His two closest friends, Phana and Kit, often teased him for his endless tales of casual flings and dates. Beam would laugh, shrug, and throw another story onto the pile as if it were nothing.

On any given day, Beam strutted around the Medical Faculty halls, casting polite nods and dazzling smiles at his admirers without a second thought. Today, though, there was something in his eyes—a subtle gleam of boredom as he walked alongside Phana and Kit, adjusting his tie with one hand and loosening the collar of his shirt with the other. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy the attention; it was just that, lately, everything felt too easy, too predictable.

“Beam, you’re zoning out again,” Phana’s voice pulled him back to reality.

“Oh, sorry.” Beam flashed a grin, though his thoughts were already elsewhere.

“Big plans tonight?” Kit asked, nudging him playfully. Kit’s girlfriend, a smart and sassy girl from the Faculty of Economics, had been reminding Beam lately of the kind of relationships he didn’t do—serious, exclusive, reliable.

“Just the usual,” Beam replied. “Thinking of heading out, maybe find something interesting for a change.”

Kit chuckled. “Something interesting? Isn’t that all you ever do?”

Beam shrugged, giving them a little salute before breaking away toward the parking lot. It was a relief, really, to leave the chattering halls and the familiarity of his friends. He tightened his tie, ran a hand through his hair, and mentally mapped out his night ahead. But as he neared the parking lot, something unusual caught his attention.

He’d been busy checking his reflection in his phone screen when a loud crash and shout echoed across the lot. Beam froze, his fingers pausing mid-button as he looked up, startled. A group of students seemed to be surrounding someone at the far end of the lot, just near the motorcycle stalls. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, but when they did, the sight he saw stopped him in his tracks.

In the middle of the crowd was a single man—a tall, broad-shouldered guy with tanned skin and an expression that could cut glass. He wore a sleeveless black shirt that revealed his well-defined arms, and his fists were clenched, knuckles already red. Dark jeans hugged his form, and his stance was unwavering, almost predatory. Around him lay at least five guys, groaning in pain and clutching their bruises.

Beam’s first instinct was to turn away, but something about the stranger’s intensity kept him frozen. Beam took a step forward, curiosity outweighing his sense of self-preservation, as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. This man was outnumbered, yet he seemed completely in control. His moves were fluid but fierce, like he’d done this a thousand times.

One of the guys in the group tried to land a punch, but the stranger sidestepped it easily, countering with a swift jab that sent the attacker reeling back. Another lunged at him, but he blocked the attack with a skillful elbow. He moved like a predator, sharp and precise, and each time his fists connected, the sound echoed through the lot.

Within minutes, it was over. The stranger wiped his bloody knuckles on the back of his hand and scanned the scene, his eyes cold and calculating. For a brief moment, his gaze flickered over the bodies scattered around him as if they were little more than obstacles.

Then, just as Beam thought he’d leave, the stranger bent down and picked something off the ground. It was a blue jacket with the Engineering Faculty emblem stitched on the back—a signature piece Beam recognized from seeing engineering students around campus. The stranger shrugged the jacket over his shoulders, adjusted the collar, and then looked toward a nearby motorcycle.

The parking lot was still. Beam was too stunned to move, his gaze locked onto the man as he pulled on a pair of black gloves, swung a leg over the bike, and revved the engine. The roar filled the lot as he took off, leaving Beam to process the surreal scene he’d just witnessed.

As the taillights of the motorcycle disappeared into the night, Beam’s mind buzzed with questions. He’d seen fights before—he wasn’t sheltered by any means—but this was different. The stranger had fought with such purpose, such intensity, that Beam felt an unfamiliar shiver run down his spine. Who was he, this mysterious guy with the steely gaze and dangerous aura?

It didn’t take long for Beam’s curiosity to win out. The next morning, after a restless night, Beam began to piece together information. He wasn’t the only one curious about the stranger; whispers had already spread through the halls, speculating about the mysterious “king” who had taken down nearly a dozen guys in one go.

A few discreet questions later, and Beam had his answer: Forth Jaturapoom.

Forth was a second-year Engineering student, known not only for his skill but for his reputation as a formidable head hazer of the Engineering Faculty. His name carried weight, and Beam quickly realized why. This wasn’t just some random guy. Forth was a figure of respect and fear—someone people didn’t mess with lightly.

But the rumors didn’t end there. Beam learned that Forth was known for his loyalty to his friends, which only added to his aura of strength and mystery. He wasn’t the type to fight without reason, and if he’d stepped into a brawl like that, it was because someone he cared about had been wronged.

The thought intrigued Beam more than he cared to admit. Here was a guy who didn’t just fight for show, like so many others Beam had encountered. No, Forth fought with purpose. And as Beam considered all the rumors swirling around this man, he couldn’t help but wonder—what would it be like to have someone like Forth on his side?

Beam didn’t know when or how he’d cross paths with Forth again, but he felt a spark of challenge brewing within him. Forth was the kind of guy who could protect him, yes—but more than that, he was the kind of guy Beam wanted to figure out, to understand. For once, he felt drawn toward someone for reasons that went beyond his usual flings and fleeting desires.

Maybe there’s more to him than just a tough guy in a leather jacket.

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Tbc