life wasn't exactly peachy for a sixteen-year-old with a missing father, insomnia, depression, and a criminal record. it wasn't bad, or unpleasant all the time... it just got a bit sad and boring sometimes. he had convinced himself to manage over the years though, diving headfirst into things he loved- Sanity's Fall, art, more art.. and for a while, he was content with just that. he had been the only other kid in the apartment for a while, the only other one being some superstitious pudgy kid on the third floor- he didn't really talk to him. hell, he didn't really talk to anyone, except his mom, and the occasional neighbor when they needed help with something. despite having over twenty people in this four-story complex, he had always felt so trapped, and stayed confined to his room in the basement.

that was before he showed up.

he had heard his mom talk about it a few times, not ever really perking up to listen until he figured out it was another kid- who was only a year younger than him. he thought about introducing himself, but ultimately decided that it may be weird if some tall stranger with a criminal record came up to his door, and tried to become friends... he didn't even know the kid. one day though, while hanging out in his room, he heard a soft rapping on his door. assuming it was his mom, he didn't bother putting on a shirt, wearing jeans, socks, and a belt- busy painting an artwork. he called out, eyes staying on the work

"yeah, come in"