Rain fell all throughout the evening. Kazimir spent the rest of the evening painting in his art studio, letting the rhythmic pounding of raindrops inspire his creativity.

Everything was slowly piecing together with Mal's murder investigation, but he wasn't sure if the truth would be as consoling as he imagined. Betrayal blew through New Syracuse just like the wind. It was hard to trust anyone nowadays. He worried about Emmett lately as well, especially after he overdosed. It was clear how things were taking a toll on him.

Kazimir's daydreaming inspired the sorrowful deer in his latest painting. An arrow punctured its back from the hunter who betrayed it after leaving out delicious food as a trap. He loved to tell stories with his art. He could create fairytales and nightmares with his paintbrush. Kazimir surrounded the wounded animal in a forest with dying flowers and dark storm clouds. He mixed colors together to create the perfect mahogany shade for the pitiful deer's fur.

Over the howling wind, he almost didn't hear the front door open. It was his good friend, Jordy. He hadn't seen him in quite awhile and Kazimir was honestly surprised to see him around his art studio again.

"Hey, man." Jordy greeted him with a smile.

"Hey." Kazimir laid his paintbrush down. "How've you been?"

"Alright." Jordy shrugged. "I wanted to see how you were doing here. I've heard a lot of crap on the news lately and just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Kazimir daubed the sweat that glistened on his forehead with his arm. "It's been a mess, but I'm doing okay. Emmett hasn't." He sighed. "Overdosed on us. It scared the hell out of me. Like, I know he was upset that we took him to a hospital, but what else could I have done?"

"Jesus. He's lucky enough to be alive. Was he really upset that you took him to a hospital? Fuck else were you supposed to take him too?" Jordy scoffed.

Kazimir shrugged. "Probably his own doctor, but I wasn't thinking about that. I just panicked."

"It's understandable. Watching someone you love almost die like that is scary as hell. You did the best thing for him. Even if he doesn't believe that," Jordy replied.

"Thanks. I'll just remember next time to call his doc instead." Kazimir tried not to let his emotions show, but he never was good at masking them around his former roommate.

"I just hope that one day you'll understand you deserve better. Anyway, I invited a friend to drop by. Hope that's okay. He's been wanting to meet you after I told him about your art studio. Jack's working on becoming an art teacher," Jordy explained. "I met him at my university. He should be pulling up soon. Emmett won't mind, will he?"

"Oh, really? I'm sure Emmett won't care," Kazimir told him.

"Okay, great. Jack ain't from around here," Jordy replied. "Came over from somewhere in Illinois. He's a chill guy. Just wants to focus on becoming an art teacher for high school kids."

Jack? Why did that sound so familiar to him?

"Sounds like an interesting guy. I can't wait to meet him." Kazimir smiled.

Having another artist would really help him out. Maybe Jack even had more artistic friends who'd want a space like this to paint too. While Kazimir had the Voiceless Rebels backing him up, he needed more artists. He just had to be careful and not let them learn about his help from the gang. Most people weren't too keen on being in places that affiliated with either of the gangs, and with good reason.

When Kazimir first moved to town, he avoided the gangs like the plague too. Jordy always warned him to stay away, but he didn't listen. He needed to get his fix somewhere, and the gangs offered the best for a reasonable price. Being around Emmett and the rebels changed his outlook on them since then, especially after living with them for so long. Despite how ruthless they could be, they were no different from him. Just trying to survive amid their cruel world.

"Look, I know you don't wanna talk about your relationship with Emmett, but please, don't be too reckless," Jordy told him. "Don't throw your life away for him. It ain't worth it."

"Yeah, and I know you're not supportive of our relationship." Kazimir's smile faltered. "Nobody really is. Despite that, I don't care. You don't have to worry. Emmett loves me."

Before Jordy could respond, the front door walloped open, as Kazimir had left it unlocked. The man who stepped into his art studio sported a leather jacket and had his jet black hair styled in a pompadour. Upon closer inspection, Kazimir's jaw dropped. He was the same Jack that he'd met that night at the club with Charlie. How the hell did he change his appearance like that?

Part of Kazimir wanted to tell him to get out, but he couldn't with Jordy there. No, he needed to pretend like everything was okay. Surely he'd leave soon. How the heck did Jordy find that guy? Was Jack actually stalking him? The thought made him nauseous.

"Hey there." He gave them a little wave. "Nice to finally meet you, Kaz. Hope you're fine with me dropping by like this. Jordy said it was okay."

"It's nice to meet you too," Kazimir told him. As if they hadn't already met before. Or, did the guy really not remember that night? He was pretty fucked up. Kazimir understood that feeling all too well, and maybe Jack wasn't really a terrible guy or a creep. Just someone who suffered with his drug habits. "I'm glad to have you here. You're in school to be an art teacher, right?"

"Sure am." Jack pulled out a stool to take a load off on. "Really digging this place too. How'd you find it?"

Kazimir scratched the back of his neck. "Just explored around. It took a lot of time and saving up money to rent the place."

Jordy frowned at that but said nothing.

"Nice." Jack nodded. "So, tell me more about yourself. Although, I feel like I already know you from what Jordy's said."

"Well, I've wanted to be an artist ever since high school," Kazimir said. "An old teacher of mine inspired me to pursue it actually and now I'm here."

"Really? That's great." Jack grinned. "It's kinda why I want to be an art teacher, to help other kids discover their passion and see how fun art can be. I know a lot of schools have been cutting out programs like art and music, and I don't want to see that happen."

"That's terrible. Why on Earth would they do that?" Kazimir asked, frowning. "Don't they see how much it helps kids?"

"Budget cuts. Ridiculous," Jack muttered.

"It really is. Kids need to have art and music classes. I never would've found my love for painting had it not been for my old art class," Kazimir told him. "Now, kids might not even get a chance to discover their passions."

Maybe Jack wasn't who he assumed he was. Emmett's paranoia must've rubbed off on him, but even as they talked, Kazimir couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about the guy.