♫ Chris Isaak - Wicked Game.

After a long process of creating the final stroke, when the pencil lead finally came off the rough surface of the paper, you felt a sense of relief. Your fingers, accustomed to constant movement, loosened their grip slightly, and you carefully moved the piece of paper a little further away from you so that you could evaluate your work.

On the paper, jagged lines intertwined with each other, forming the outline of the face of the man who was sitting right in front of you. Despite the apparent carelessness of these lines, they harmoniously combined into a beautiful portrait. The man, of course, had no idea that he was the object of your creativity. He didn’t notice how for the last half hour you had been carefully studying his profile, transferring his features onto paper, remaining an unnoticed observer.

At this time, Arthur, being nearby, was completing the care of his knife. He ran a damp cloth over the blade, thoroughly cleaning it and giving it a shine that reflected the light from the fire beautifully. The metallic sheen of the knife contrasted with the warm glow of the fire, creating a pleasant feeling of safety and comfort, much needed after the cold conditions of Colter.

It took you a lot of time to make sure that the portrait was done flawlessly. You scrutinized every detail, comparing it with the original, and only after making sure that everything was conveyed accurately did you decide to attract the man’s attention. A slight cough escaped your chest, breaking the silence.

“Huh?” his voice sounded, filled with slight surprise. He raised his eyebrows and turned to you, clearly interested in the reason why you decided to interfere with his quiet contemplation.