The Characters
Elijah
Elijah “Li’l 9-Lives” Hassahn is the foundational figure in this story. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, he had to overcome the tragic events of his home and the social ills of his environment at an early age. With an innate ability to lead and intellect beyond his years, he not only learns to survive but thrive among the cutthroats of the LA underworld.
After being disconnected from his parents, Li’l 9-Lives is raised by his uncle, Big 9-Lives, the organizer and leader of the notorious Rollin 90s Crips. He is soon indoctrinated into the gang culture and crack-cocaine drug trade of the 1980s. Forced by circumstances to do or die, he quickly adapts and turns his obstacles into opportunities.
After being disconnected from his parents, Li’l 9-Lives is raised by his uncle, Big 9-Lives, the organizer and leader of the notorious Rollin 90s Crips. He is soon indoctrinated into the gang culture and crack-cocaine drug trade of the 1980s. Forced by circumstances to do or die, he quickly adapts and turns his obstacles into opportunities.
Ju-Ju
Julius “Ju-Ju” Grant is the soft momma’s boy raised in a single parent home without a strong male figure to school him about survival in his harsh environment. Ostracized and bullied by his peers, he becomes the resident ‘Do-Boy’ just to fit in. With his self-image shattered by constant verbal and physical brutalization, he lives in continual anxiety and insecurity.
Reaching his breaking point, Ju-Ju transforms his fear into rage and evolve into the hardness of the society that forces him to fight in order to survive.
Reaching his breaking point, Ju-Ju transforms his fear into rage and evolve into the hardness of the society that forces him to fight in order to survive.
Elise
Elise Cortez is a young Belizean immigrant who came to America with her mother seeking a better life. Her journey lands her on the mean streets of Watts, California, later taking her to the concrete jungle of South Central LA. Physically and emotionally abused, she hardens herself into a woman of wrath.
In the male-dominated streets, Elise’s fearlessness and ruthless ambitions set her on a collision course with the bosses of South Central’s gritty underworld. Well-equipped to hold her own among the best of the worst, she is ready for whatever in the race to the top.
In the male-dominated streets, Elise’s fearlessness and ruthless ambitions set her on a collision course with the bosses of South Central’s gritty underworld. Well-equipped to hold her own among the best of the worst, she is ready for whatever in the race to the top.
The Teflon-Black Brothers
The Teflon-Black Brothers, Akili and Musad are known individually as Big Teflon and Li’l Teflon. They are products of an environment utterly destroyed by the gang-crack epidemic of the 1980s. Abandoned by their father and raised by a drug and alcohol addicted mother, they have no choice but to learn to scrap for everything they need.
Big Teflon, the oldest, is the most physically dominant, but definitely not a leader or schemer. His survival rests upon his silent anger and being the enforcer/executioner of whatever plan his younger brother orchestrates. His daily awareness of the inequalities surrounding him, leaves the question ‘Why?’ constantly nagging in his mind.
Li’l Teflon is totally different than his brother. He’s a scavenger and survivor whose loyalty is to himself, his wants and desires. He feels no love from the world or anyone in it, so he has no love to give in return. He could care less about ‘Why?’ and don’t waste time thinking about it. He finds his joy in the game of survival knowing that wins and losses comes with the territory.
The Teflon Brothers are the youths from the segment of society that are forgotten until they show up in a courtroom or on a cold slab in the morgue. They are those that the politicians and media label as super-predators.
Big Teflon, the oldest, is the most physically dominant, but definitely not a leader or schemer. His survival rests upon his silent anger and being the enforcer/executioner of whatever plan his younger brother orchestrates. His daily awareness of the inequalities surrounding him, leaves the question ‘Why?’ constantly nagging in his mind.
Li’l Teflon is totally different than his brother. He’s a scavenger and survivor whose loyalty is to himself, his wants and desires. He feels no love from the world or anyone in it, so he has no love to give in return. He could care less about ‘Why?’ and don’t waste time thinking about it. He finds his joy in the game of survival knowing that wins and losses comes with the territory.
The Teflon Brothers are the youths from the segment of society that are forgotten until they show up in a courtroom or on a cold slab in the morgue. They are those that the politicians and media label as super-predators.