Two days after Hank’s murder, Jordy suggested that they get out of the apartment. Kazimir was tempted to stay at home, but Jordy insisted that wallowing in their pain alone wasn’t the healthiest way to cope. With a killer still on the loose, Kazimir worried that they’d be the next targets.
Kazimir was so lost in thought, he almost missed his turn. When they respectively pulled up into the parking lot of a diner called the Wallflower, Kazimir’s dealer and crush, Samantha Gresham waited for them beside her rundown jeep. She hadn’t answered any of his texts yesterday, but seeing her again made his worries float away like the clouds.
It was rare to find individuals who walked around comfortably in their skin, but Samantha did. Her purple hair flowed freely in the breeze. She hid her bruises perfectly with makeup. Not a blemish could be found on her pretty face. She wore a black blouse and mini skirt, accompanied with some knee-high cat ear socks.
Kazimir fell for Samantha after she showed him some of her graffiti pieces. She used her art to paint their hideous town, always focusing on themes of death and love. But she didn’t aspire to become an illustrious artist like he did. Her true passion was hair-styling.
Learning she dealt drugs only strengthened his desire to be with her. Part of Kazimir wondered if she’d join the Black Vipers to help with her career, but he never asked.
They both hid their secret lives of dealing and abusing drugs from Jordy. She made Kazimir swear on his life to never tell a soul about her working with the gang. Samantha had a plan to take down the Black Vipers, but she kept him in the dark. Despite how Samantha assured him she was in control, he still worried about her.
“Why didn’t you guys ride together?” Samantha asked.
“I rode my bike here,” Kazimir replied, gesturing to his blue motorcycle. “And he’s too much of a scaredy-cat to hop on.”
“I’m not riding that death trap. I value my life,” Jordy scoffed.
“I love your bike. I think it’s pretty badass.” Samantha brushed up against him, letting her fingers touch his.
“Really?” Kazimir grinned like a fool. “Thank you.”
“After supper, we should take a spin on it.” Samantha’s warm breath trickled against his ear. “Sound like fun?”
“Yeah, I’d love that.”
Jordy walked ahead of them. “Come on. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Once Kazimir entered, he let the aroma of freshly brew coffee and sizzling bacon embrace him. It reminded him of home as a child, when his father would cook a big breakfast for their family during the holidays or just for a special occasion. It was strange how the place brought back memories of when his cousins would visit from Russia with their babushka. Kazimir always loved when they flew into town to visit.
The Wallflower was a vintage family-owned diner designed like something plucked straight out of the eighties. They crossed the black and white checkered floor to reach the bar, where a server led them to a table near the window. A jukebox in the back corner played an older tune Kazimir wasn’t familiar with. The daily specials were written out on a chalkboard swathed in lovely carnation lights, casting a delicate glow on the waiters and waitresses.
“Wow,” Kazimir murmured. “This place is so cool.”
“I knew we had to bring you here,” Jordy said. “Their burgers are great.”
“Don’t forget the milkshakes. They’re the best in New Syracuse.” Samantha chimed in.
After being seated at one of the plush booths, Kazimir admired more of the delightful little diner. He knew he had to try the delectable strawberry milkshake when he saw it on the flip menu near the condiments.
“I can’t believe your neighbor was killed outside the art gallery. That must have been so awful for you guys to find him. You both have my sympathies,” Samantha said.
“It was awful. Hank didn’t deserve to die like that.” Kazimir cringed at the memory of finding his neighbor. “I don’t know who would do such a horrible thing to him.”
“It was someone from one of those fucking gangs.” Jordy pounded his fist on the table. “I just know it was. I bet it was one of those Voiceless Rebels.”
“Those gangs don’t belong here.” Samantha picked at the dark purple polish on her nails. “They’re too dangerous. Someone needs to stand up to them before it’s too late. I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt or killed.”
“It has to end. Both of the gangs need to be disbanded and imprisoned,” Jordy said.
“You really hate them, don’t you?” Kazimir asked him.
“I do. They’re the reason why my brother’s dead.” Jordy gazed out the window. “Luca got involved with the Voiceless Rebels, thinking they were like some kind of family that would protect him.”
“I’m so sorry. You never told me it was the rebels who did that to him.” Kazimir slouched in his seat, propping his arms on the table.
Jordy sighed. “It’s not your fault, man. I just don’t want anyone else to end up like Luca. Nobody deserves that. I should’ve told you sooner. Dunno why I didn’t.”
“They should be in prison for what they did to Luca.” Samantha clenched her fists, turning to Kazimir. “So, how do feel about the gangs?”
“He hates those bastards just as much as us.” Jordy playfully wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Isn’t that right?”
“Definitely,” Kazimir lied. “The Voiceless Rebels are the worst.”
Samantha smiled. “Glad we’re all on the same page then.”
Kazimir didn’t hate anybody. The gangs were a nuisance, but they weren’t the sole cause of New Syracuse’s disintegration. Something happened before they took control. Kazimir was so sure of it, but he didn’t have the slightest clue what it could be.
Getting rid of the gangs also meant getting rid of the drugs. While that sounded like a perfect solution, any drug addict like Kazimir knew chaos would ensue. They couldn’t resist their cravings. They’d turn into ravenous beasts and stop at nothing to get what they needed to survive. People would kill themselves to get rid of the festering pain inside. Maybe they would even start to kill each other when paranoia kicked in. He didn’t want to imagine the horrors of what would happen.
There wouldn’t be enough room for everyone at the detox center. Not everyone would try to get in either. Many addicts gave up on trying to fix themselves long ago, like Kazimir did.
“Recently some college students have been helping the police spot out areas where they lurk the most,” Jordy said. “Wanna help out, Kaz? I’m sure you could kick some ass if you needed to.”
“I’m not sure about that.” Kazimir rubbed the back of his neck. “I want the gangs gone just as much as you do, but I’d rather be a silent supporter.”
“You haven’t lived until you’ve watched them get hauled off in handcuffs, or better yet, get shot down in the street.” Samantha gleamed.
Blood filled Kazimir’s vision as Hank’s bleeding body came to mind. He tried to shake aside the gory images of his dead neighbor. Kazimir couldn’t understand why Samantha said such a horrific thing about the gang members, considering she associated with the Black Vipers gang. That could easily be her blood spilled in the street if things went south.
“Shot down?” Kazimir shivered. “Can the police legally do that?”
“If the gang member is a threat to their personal safety or other people, then yeah, they can,” Jordy replied, drumming his fingers against the table. “They have gang wars over their territory a lot too. The police try to get them under control before anyone gets hurts, but it doesn’t always end peacefully.”
“Why do they fight over that?” Kazimir asked.
“They wanna steal their dealing spots,” Samantha explained. “If you ask me, the only place they belong is in a prison cell or six feet under.”
“Good evening.” The waiter intervened. “I’ll be your server for the rest of your night. What can I get you folks to drink?”
That voice, composed of both melancholy and menace, sounded so familiar to Kazimir. He made eye-contact with the gentleman who would be their waiter for the evening, trying not to gasp. Samantha nodded her head at Kazimir, briefly looking over at their waiter.
Emmett was donned in such a ridiculous uniform; a lime green button up, black apron, and bow tie. The gangster retrieved his handy little notepad and pen, flipping to a fresh page for the order. Everyone told him their desired drinks as Kazimir studied him.
Emmett looked over at Kazimir. “And, for you, sir?”
Kazimir told him what he wanted, watching as he jotted it down then walked back to the kitchen. He gazed around the room like a cat perched in a room full of rocking chairs. Anybody could be working for the gangs. Were there other gang members masquerading as waiters?
Fiddling with the flip menu, Kazimir tried to get his restless leg to stay still. He tried to think back on the days he got high, but he couldn’t remember. Yesterday, maybe?
Emmett returned shortly with their drinks, managing to balance all three on a single silver tray. He handed each out, saving Kazimir for last.
“Your food should be out in twenty minutes.” Emmett turned to walk away, but Jordy called him back.
“How do you feel about these pathetic gangs, man?” Jordy asked him. “Like the Voiceless Rebels. Isn’t that an ignorant name? Sounds like some kinda wannabe rock band.”
Emmett shrugged. “It’s different, I guess. I try to keep to myself. Don’t wanna get involved with those people.”
Kazimir took a ginormous sip of his strawberry shake, taking it down in one gulp. There was no way he could tell Jordy to zip it before he got them all killed.
“I think it’s inspirational,” Kazimir spoke up. “I mean, if you think about it, the name is pretty cool. I don’t condone their actions. I just think they have a badass name.”
“Artists find inspiration in everything.” Jordy groaned. “I bet you could find inspiration in that wad of napkins.”
“You’re an artist?” Emmett asked, as if he didn’t already know.
Jordy intervened, “He sells his paintings but he usually ends up burning the money on art supplies.”
“I’d love to check them out.” Emmett grinned. “You busy tonight? I get off work soon.”
“Tonight?” Kazimir didn’t know how to respond. What did the gangster really want from him?
“Sorry, but he’s busy tonight. Remember? You promised to take me on that bike ride.” Samantha swooped in to his relief.
“I did, didn’t I? I can’t just cancel my plans. You understand, right?” Kazimir asked, biting on his lower lip.
Emmett frowned. “Rain check then?”
“Sure. How can I contact you?”
“Can I have your phone number?” Emmett pulled a cheap android phone out of his pocket and handed it over to Kazimir. Emmett patiently stood by their table as Kazimir saved his contact. He was surprised Emmett’s manager didn’t chew his head off for lingering around so long.
“Are you a college student too?” Jordy asked him.
“I earned my associate degree in business this past summer,” Emmett replied. “I graduated with high honors, nothing less.”
Kazimir was surprised. “Really?”
“Why are you a waiter?” Jordy asked. “You have a degree. Go out and pursue the career of your dreams.”
“It’s not that simple.” Emmett scratched at his cheek.
Kazimir didn’t understand that weirdo at all. Why work at the diner and associate with the Voiceless Rebels if he graduated college? Out of any artist in New Syracuse, why did he want him in his gang? Sure, he had talent with a paintbrush and spray can, but so did many others. What kind of hidden agenda did Emmett have? What did he really want with him?
Emmett brought their orders out soon enough. While Kazimir ate, he couldn’t resist keeping an eye on the gangster. He failed to keep his focus on his friends’ conversation as they talked more about the gangs.
“Jordy’s gonna eat all of your fries if you don’t stop spacing out,” Samantha muttered.
Pulling his gaze away from Emmett, he realized Jordy had eaten almost half of his basket of waffle fries.
“Stop it.” Kazimir swatted his hand away.
Jordy shrugged. “I didn’t want you to waste food.”
Their banter echoed throughout the diner. No one would suspect any of them associated with the nefarious gangs.
Emmett gave Kazimir a sly smile as he cleaned a table across from them.
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