Life and Death in the Grove

[SoF]

Sorry its taken so long...been kinda busy this last week.

 

Anyways, heres another chapter, im gonna try and finish this little story over this weekend.

 

Anyways, enjoy.

 

 

 

April 18th, 1991

Sunday, 0200am

Angel Pine, Whetstone County

 

It was pitch black, and the only illumination were the headlights of Smokes perennial piercing the darkness ahead, and the distant glow of street lights in Angel Pine.

 

For the last twenty or so miles, Smoke had gotten off the freeway and had been driving along an old, little used dirk track. Kern had been dozing in the passenger seat for the last few hours, and jerked awake with a curse as the car bounced over a rut in the road.

 

“sh*t…” Kern muttered, and then looked out the passenger window. “The hell we doin’ out here Smoke? You takin’ me to see a UFO landing or some sh*t? Why ain't we on the freeway?”

 

Smoke rubbed his eyes, looking tired after the long drive. “No reason, I just thought we’d take in some of this beautiful countryside.” Kern looked outside the window again. “Its pitch black nigga, you can’t see sh*t! The f*ck are we anyway?”

 

Smoke grinned slightly and shook his head. “Those lights over there are Angel Pine.” Kern looked where Smoke pointed and noticed the lights, then the headlights illuminated a massive building to the right of the trail, an old saw mill.

 

Kern rubbed his eyes, still half asleep, as Smoke drove past the mill, and then a few minutes later turned right onto a normal road as they entered Angel Pine.

 

The streets were deserted at this time of night, and Smokes perennial was the only car around. After following the road around the outskirts of town, the car pulled to a stop at the side of the road, next to the motel.

 

“Ok baby, we’re here, wipe the sleep from your eyes. This is what we’re gonna do. I'm goin’ in, and I want you to drive the car into the car park and wait for me, keep the engine running.”

 

Kern did a double take. “You goin’ in alone nigga? You sure?” Smoke nodded as he opened the door and climbed out slowly, muttering something about car doors being too small. “Don’t worry baby, I know these cats, I couldn’t be safer.”

 

Kern shrugged “Whatever man, just holler if ya need me though, I’ll be right outside.” As Smoke walked down the street and turned to go up the stairs to the upstairs rooms of the motel, Kern slid across into the driver’s seat and moved the car around into the car park. He kept the engine running, but cut the lights, then opened the glove box and took out a 9mm, checking the safety.

 

“Hope that nigga knows what hes doin’…” He muttered to himself as he watched Smoke walk to a door and ring the bell. A few seconds later the door opened and Kern could see Smoke speaking to someone, then go inside the room.

 

Just as the door closed behind Smoke, Kern realised something. If Smoke was going to buy guns, where was the money? He hadn’t seen Smoke pick up an envelope or anything.

 

Instantly Kern realised there was something wrong here. A few seconds later that feeling was magnified a hundredfold when gunfire erupted within the room, two shots, quickly followed by two more.

 

“sh*t!”

 

Kern kicked open the door and started to get out, his gun out and at the ready, when the motel room door opened. Kern was raising his gun when he saw Smoke come out, a black briefcase in one hand and a large envelope in the other. With a wave to Kern he turned and sauntered over to the stairs down to the car park.

 

“Hurry up nigga! We gotta bounce outta here!” Kern shouted as Smoke reached the stairs. “The f*ck happened in there man?” Smoke reached the bottom of the stairs and strolled towards him. “You got no sense of style baby, you gotta savour moments like these!” Smoke said, then stopped and breathed in deeply, a glint in his eye.

 

Almost purple in the face, Kern shouted something incoherently, pointing at the car with his pistol. With a roll of his eyes, Smoke carried on walking, then opened the trunk of the car and put the briefcase inside, then slammed the trunk.

 

Running around to the passenger door, he climbed in and sat down, all while Kern stood watching him suspiciously. “Well get in and lets bounce baby! Time to get out of here.” He said.

 

Shaking his head, Kern climbed back into the driver’s seat and pulled out of the car park, then gunned the gas and took off down the street.

 

After driving in silence for a few minutes, and giving Smoke sidelong glances, Kern finally spoke. “So what the f*ck Smoke?”

 

Instead of answering, Smoke opened the envelope and dumped a pile of bills onto his lap. “God damn!” Kern muttered, looking at the money “there's gotta be about 10 grand there!”

 

Smoke grinned, and took his trademark hat off, scratching his bald head. “Closer to 20.” Kern looked back at the road ahead of him, swerving and overtaking a car as they headed out of Angel Pine and onto the freeway.

 

“So what happened?” Smoke shrugged. “Set up. They were drug runners, no guns in the place ‘cept what they had on ‘em.” Kern frowned. “So what was in the briefcase?”

 

Smoke grinned as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small baggy with a white, crystalline substance inside. “About $10000 worth of H, high grade from the look.” Giving Kern a sidelong glance, he continued “How about it Kern, fancy stopping on the way home and having some smoky smoke with Smoke and getting an express ticket to the Hotel California?” (or Hotel San Andreas, whatever lol)

 

Kern jerked his head in the negative. “Hell no! You know I’m cool on that sh*t…” Smoke laughed and dropped the baggy back into his pocket. “Easy baby, I was just messin’ with ya.”

 

Kern felt uncomfortable. “So what we gonna do with all that sh*t?” Smoke studied him for a moment before replying. “Sell it of course. Grove could use the cash, and what Sweet don’t know won’t hurt him.” He paused and looked at Kern intently. “Will it?”

 

Kern slowly shook his head. “Whatever man, just sell it on the downlow. We don’t roll with that sh*t man, you know that…but your right…we need the money.”

 

Smoke nodded sagely, then picked up a bundle of bills and tossed it into Kerns lap. “We certainly do Kern, we certainly do.” Kern flicked through the bills, counting 5 grand, then sighed. “Yeah, we do.”

 

***

 

 

[SoF]

Great story. It really envelops the feel of the GSF and Los Santos. Although, there are minor errors (e.g. hoodwraps?), overall, its good to see you're putting time and effort into it. Keep up the great work

Im a 22 year old white dude from the UK, please, forgive me for my ignorance oh ghetto master.

 

hahahahaha

 

Uhh...GOOD STORY ANYWAY, you're being white does not detract from the quality of the work that you've posted. Besides, you could've had me fooled.

 

Really.

 

Look forward to the next chapter!

lmao wow man, i didnt think you would disect what i said hahaha, glad you like the story anyways mate.

I just meant as im neither american nor black i may get some of the lingo wrong...but im trying damnit!!!

 

 

heheheheheh

[Eminence]

Good chapter, albeit not quite as good as the one previous. I enjoyed reading the description of the fire in that one ... where was the description of the deal-gone-wrong? (well, right in Smoke's case I guess) It all seemed to go by a little fast.

 

On to the next ...

[SoF]

I did that on purpose, not describing the deal, basically, im trying to set it out like it does it SA, that Smoke is working for himself rather than the GSF, but still making out as if he is helping out his set, but keeping that ambigous and letting you draw your own conclusions...which i supose i have just ruined by telling you.

 

lol.

 

I know this one wasnt as good, as to be honest i knocked it out in about ten minutes, the next ones will be better, as i have some time to myself for the next few days.

[Coral_City]

I liked that chapter -- I thought you captured Smoke's character really well! Sneaky and persuasive of certain things, and always keeping his head cool in the heat of things.

[Exits]

Great f*ckin' story, man

Keep it up.

[SoF]

Ok guys, sorry for the long wait, unfortunately im really busy with work at the moment, so ive had to cut this story a lot shorter than i had intended, so this is the last chapter.

 

Its pretty rushed, and i dont think its particularly good personally, but hell, maybe when ive got some time ill add a few more chapters inbetween the last post i did, and this one.

 

Anyways here it is, hope you like it, and hope youve liked my writings...cut short though it has been...

 

 

 

August 31st, 1991

Friday, 2130 pm,

East Beach.

 

Smokes Perennial rolled to a stop outside a fairly large house overlooking the beach. Smoke was driving, with Ryder next to him, and Kern in the back. Turning off the engine, Smoke turned around in his seat to talk to Kern.

 

‘Ok baby, here’s how it’s going to go. I’m going to introduce you to some friends of mine. You been doing good over these last few months man, and taking out that Vagos bitch’s girlfriend for me last week sent him just the message I wanted, he’s totally sold on and moved out.’

 

Indeed, the past four months had seen a lot of change in Los Santos. Much of the violence that had plagued the city since the late ‘80s had slowed down considerably, and both the Ballas and Family Sets had been at an uneasy peace, enforced by the police, in particular the counter gang unit of the Los Santos Police department, C.R.A.S.H.

 

That wasn’t all that had changed. After that fateful night at Angel Pine, Kern had started doing a lot of work for Smoke. Kern knew Smoke was turning into a big player in the Crack trade in the city, though he was still only finding his feet, and his views on selling crack had changed considerably.

 

The fact that last month alone he had made almost $10000 helped him change his mind as well. He now had a flash new car, decent clothes, and some fairly nice bling.

 

Most of the work he did for Smoke entailed taking out his rivals, or occasionally making connections or deliveries for him.

 

Smoke opened the door and climbed out, followed by the others.

 

Dressed in a fairly expensive green shirt and jeans, and with a gold chain around his neck, Kern adjusted the pistol in the back of his belt, letting his shirt fall over it. ‘Come on fellas, let’s get this started.’ Smoke said as he locked the car behind him and approached the front door of the house.

 

He knocked, and after a brief wait, the door opened and a Mexican, wearing Vagos colours, looked out the door, an AK in his hands, and checked them out. After a minute he nodded and gestured for them to enter.

 

Kern followed Smoke and Ryder down a long, plush decorated hallway to a large room that opened onto a balcony overlooking the beach. Expensive furniture filled the room, and a large TV stood against one wall, though it wasn’t on.

 

Sitting on a leather couch that probably cost more money than Kern had seen in his life, were two people, while another leant over a table in front of them. Two were clearly Vagos, and high up in the hierarchy if the amount of tattoos and bling they wore was any indication, the other was a short, but massively muscled black man with a purple bandana, purple vest and black jeans, also covered almost from head to toe in tattoos, with a thick gold chain almost the size of Kern’s wrist around his neck.

 

Kern recognised him immediately. Tunde, who was, along with his brother Kane, one the most powerful Front Yard Ballas OG’s.

 

Smoke felt Kern tense next to him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘Easy baby, easy.’ Shaking his head slightly, Kern tried to relax, and followed Smoke and Ryder into the room.

 

‘Big Smoke. Glad you could finally f*cking join us.’ Tunde said as he turned around fully to face them. His eyes flicked to Kern and he paused for a moment, studying him. ‘So this is the punk little bitch that capped Red in the Idlewood tattoo parlour. A lot of my soldiers would love to shove your head up your ass for that boy.’

 

Feeling fairly out of his depth in this situation, and feeling damn uneasy at what was obviously his soon to be collaboration with the Ballas, Kern still said the first thing that came into his mind. ‘Tell ‘em they’re welcome to try any time, bitch.’

 

The room suddenly felt as silent as a tomb. Beside him, Smoke took a discreet step away from Kern.

 

Suddenly Tunde threw his head back and laughed. ‘At least you’ve got balls boy, ill give you that. But f*ck it, your working for us now…and besides, Red was a fool with no vision. You actually did me and a lot of my boys a favour by getting rid of him. But enough of this sh*t, Smoke, we have business to discuss.’

 

Smoke walked forward and put a briefcase on the table in front of Tunde and the two Vagos, who had as yet remained silent. Flicking the catches, Smoke opened the top, revealing about $200000 in fresh bills.

 

Tunde nodded as he pulled the briefcase towards him, and flicked through the contents. ‘Good. You'll get your cut as usual.’ Then he shut the briefcase. ‘Now, we have some other business to discuss. I want that f*cking piece of sh*t Sweet Johnson out of the way. As long as he’s OG of GSF, you’re a f*cking liability to me. Setting up that hit on Big Devil and Sweet for us was only the beginning, Sweet got away that time, I don’t want him getting away again, I want Grove Street under MY control, and if you can’t…’

 

It was at this point that Kern stopped hearing the conversation. “Setting up that hit on Big Devil for us…” just kept repeating in his head, over and over again. He felt like he was falling through water as memories of him and Lil Devil as kids, as well as all the other friends he had lost to the Vagos and Ballas, living in this f*cking hellish city, swirled around in his mind. His legs were weak, and he felt bile rising deep in the pit of his stomach.

 

Suddenly his vision focused almost crystalline on Smoke’s face turning to look at him, an expression of concern, followed by resignation on his face. Without conscious thought he ripped his 9mm free from the back of his trousers, and smashed the but of the weapon into Ryder’s face, who still stood next to him.

 

Spinning around he dropped into a crouch and opened fire on the two Vagos bodyguards behind him. They both fell, seemingly in slow motion. Kern dove forward, grabbing the AK off one of the Vagos and spinning around, raising the weapon to his shoulder.

 

Tunde’s face exploded in a red mist, and blood sprayed from his chest as Kern blasted away with the AK on full auto. The two Vagos OG’s crumpled and sprawled back over the now blood stained couch, their bodies jerking as the hot lead bullets veritably cut their insides to pieces.

 

Smoke dove out of the way, scrambling across the floor and scrabbling for his pistol. Just as his hand closed around it, he looked up, to see Kern standing a few feet away from him, the AK held in one hand and aimed at his head.

 

On his knees, Smoke stared up at Kern. ‘The f*ck are you doing Kern? I thought you were with me on this, I thought you were my dawg, I thought you were…’ Kern interrupted.

 

‘You piece of sh*t. You set up that hit on Big Devil! It was f*cking you! You yellow f*cking piece of sh*t! My best f*cking friend died in that driveby…and you f*cking KNEW ALL ALONG!’

 

Smoke swallowed and made a begging motion with his hands, his eyes sliding to Ryder, who still lay sprawled and unconscious in the doorway. ‘Come on now baby…collateral damage…I didn’t know he was…I mean…I thought…’

 

‘SHUT THE f*ck UP!’ Kern bellowed, and then sprayed the TV behind Smoke him with bullets, making it explode in a shower of sparks. ‘You f*cking busta…’ he added, quieter, tears spilling from his eyes.

 

‘Lil Devil was my homey you f*cking bitch and now you’re goin’ to f*ckin’ pay…’ He said, as he raised the AK again, taking aim at Big Smoke, cowering on the floor in front of him.

 

Suddenly there was a loud crack, and Kern staggered forward a step, the AK falling from suddenly nerveless hands. Another gunshot rang out, and Kern was blown forward, the front of his face exploding, showing the area in front of him, including Smoke, with blood, pieces of brain, and fragments of bone.

 

Kern hit the floor with a sickening wet thud, blood also spraying from the large exit wound in his chest.

 

Smoke staggered back, frantically wiping blood from his face. In the doorway, a tall, thin black man, with close shaved hair and wearing a police uniform stepped into the room, the Desert Eagle in his hand; smoke still trailing from the barrel, dropping to his side.

 

He stopped and looked down at Ryder, shaking his head, then stepped over him and walked into the room. He stopped and looked around dramatically, then looked at Smoke. ‘Well, would you look at the f*cking mess in here?’ Officer Tenpenny said.

 

After looking around again in an amateur dramatic way, he walked over to Smoke, who still lay shaking on the floor, and crouched down over him. ‘It’s a damn good thing I stopped for some coffee on the way and got here late isn’t it, or I just might be laying here in pieces as well, then who could have come in and stopped him tearing you apart at the last minute, eh, you gangbanging piece of useless sh*t?’

 

Tenpenny stood up again, then kicked the 9mm away from Smokes hand. Turning around, he again surveyed the carnage.

 

Walking over to the blood spattered table, he picked up a bottle of champagne, somehow miraculously having missed being shattered in the firefight. ‘Mmm, my wife loves this sh*t.’ He said, checking the vintage then, dropping it on the blood soaked carpet, he turned around to face Smoke again, who had managed to get to his knees.

 

‘You know, that nigga there caused a hell of a lot of trouble for someone you swore we could trust, didn’t he Melvin?’

 

Melvin ‘Big Smoke’ Harris, swallowed and opened his mouth to reply as Tenpenny walked towards him again. Before he could say anything though, Tenpenny’s foot slammed into his chest, driving him over and onto his back again. In a second Tenpenny was crouching over him, the barrel of his Desert Eagle in Smokes mouth.

 

‘Have you any idea how far this has set me back you f*cking idiot!?’ he hissed in his face. ‘With those three dead it’s going to take months to get distribution back on track. All because of you, you useless piece of gangbanging sh*t!’

 

He stood up and levelled his hand cannon at Smokes head. ‘If I could see any reason left in keeping you alive after this, I would still blow your brains out. As I cant see any reason to keep you alive…say goodbye motherf*cker, and say hello to Big Devil and your good friend Tony for me, I’m sure they will both be very happy to see you.’

 

Smoke lay on the floor, his eyes closed. After a moment, when Tenpenny still hadn’t fired, he opened them again, to see Tenpenny looking at him thoughtfully, the Desert Eagle still aimed at his head.

 

‘You know…I think I have just had an idea…one that might help me with another little problem of mine…get up.’

 

Smoke hesitated, and Tenpenny kicked him in the face. ‘I said get up nigga! You f*cking deaf?’ As Smoke staggered to his feet, holding his head, Tenpenny continued. ‘Wake that half dead nigga over there up, and then come with me. We’re going for a little drive.’

 

As Smoke staggered over to where Ryder lay, who was just coming around now from the blow to the head he had received, Tenpenny continued.

 

‘We’re going to discuss the two prodigal Johnson Brothers, and their dear, poor, soon to be departed mother…and how I’m going to salvage this situation that you have f*cked up…then after our little chat, your going to get on a plane to San Fierro, and meet a man called Mendez. I'm sure you have heard of the Loco Syndicate…’

 

As Smoke got Ryder to his feet, Tenpenny turned and looked out over the balcony, looking over the beach and out to sea, the plan he had hastily thrown together over the last three minutes coming more and more into focus.

 

With a sadistic smile, he said to himself. ‘I'm going to enjoy welcoming you home Carl…though I don’t think there is going to be much celebrating at your homecoming…’

 

 

 

The End. Fin. All Done.

 

***

 

[SoF]

*waiting patiently for a reply to the story hes ruined by rushing it to please you guys.*

 

...

 

 

[Eminence]

First of all, err, don't blame us for you rushing it? It's your decision on when and how to write it, so if it's been ruined, nobody is accountable but yourself.

 

Just wanted to get that out of the way some. Now, anyway ...

 

There's some great description in there - engaging stuff. I enjoyed reading it. Nice twist with Tenpenny towards the end, although I have to say I saw Kern's death coming! (well, maybe that's only because of how it all ties into SA, what with Smoke having to live and all, lol - I do like the way it ties into the start of SA, though, so good job with that)

 

I'd say it's a strong finish to the story - definitely the best chapter of it. Though, judging it as complete after that, well, nothing much has really happened - it started by seemingly building up to something but it's all gone by a bit fast without anything happening (I know you say you've been rushed and whatnot, but still).

 

Conclusion - a good chapter, but it's simply jumped ahead from where the story left off to tie it up. Obviously though, as you've said, that can be rectified by inserting a couple other chapters inbetween later on.

 

Good job anyway. Enjoyed it while it lasted.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Eminence

[Coral_City]

Argh, forgot to post here!

 

Umm, I thought it was a great chapter -- on calibre with the rest of your work so far. It's definitely a nice ending, albeit, very rushed. Given the amount of time you have (presumably, your entire life ) you could have chilled out a bit, as Eminence stated already.

 

STILL! It was a good chapter, Kern's death was definitely a bit of surprise...the only gripe I do have is the fact you have Tenpenny mentioning a hit on the Johnson's mother. That's not exactly true, infact, the hit was placed on Sweet but his mother was at the right place...at the wrong time.

 

Anyhow, I really do hope you continue this in the future, if circumstances allowed -- if not, it was a great story nonetheless.

[SoF]

Argh, forgot to post here!

 

Umm, I thought it was a great chapter -- on calibre with the rest of your work so far. It's definitely a nice ending, albeit, very rushed. Given the amount of time you have (presumably, your entire life ) you could have chilled out a bit, as Eminence stated already.

 

STILL! It was a good chapter, Kern's death was definitely a bit of surprise...the only gripe I do have is the fact you have Tenpenny mentioning a hit on the Johnson's mother. That's not exactly true, infact, the hit was placed on Sweet but his mother was at the right place...at the wrong time.

 

Anyhow, I really do hope you continue this in the future, if circumstances allowed -- if not, it was a great story nonetheless.

Ahhh, or maybe the hit was actually placed on his mother, made to look like it was placed on Sweet, in order to make Carl come home so Tenpenny could use him to tie up his loose ends for him? Hmmm.

 

Remember, the only people who tell you anything about what happened are Sweet, Smoke and Ryder.

 

Sweet was 'apparently) one of the targets, and Smoke and Ryder were behind the hit...

[Coral_City]

Argh, forgot to post here!

 

Umm, I thought it was a great chapter -- on calibre with the rest of your work so far. It's definitely a nice ending, albeit, very rushed. Given the amount of time you have (presumably, your entire life ) you could have chilled out a bit, as Eminence stated already.

 

STILL! It was a good chapter, Kern's death was definitely a bit of surprise...the only gripe I do have is the fact you have Tenpenny mentioning a hit on the Johnson's mother. That's not exactly true, infact, the hit was placed on Sweet but his mother was at the right place...at the wrong time.

 

Anyhow, I really do hope you continue this in the future, if circumstances allowed -- if not, it was a great story nonetheless.

Ahhh, or maybe the hit was actually placed on his mother, made to look like it was placed on Sweet, in order to make Carl come home so Tenpenny could use him to tie up his loose ends for him? Hmmm.

 

Remember, the only people who tell you anything about what happened are Sweet, Smoke and Ryder.

 

Sweet was 'apparently) one of the targets, and Smoke and Ryder were behind the hit...

Ahhhhhhhhh, right right right. Good job. I forgot that point...Ryder said that they were going for Sweet, but by the latter half of SA, I guess you can't believe Ryder much, huh?

[SoF]

Yeah spot on.

 

Oh and Eminence, i wasnt having a go at you guys! It was tongue in cheek!

 

Which doesnt really come across well online does it? Hmm...

 

Anyways, like i said, if i get the time ill add the intermediate chapters, but till then, i hope you enjoyed.

 

I just hate leaving a story unfinished that i may never get back to ya know?

[Eminence]

Well, fair enough. In the way you said it then over an internet forum I will agree it doesn't really come across well - if it was tongue in cheek, perhaps using the, for lack of a better description, tongue in cheek smiley woulda helped get the message across?

 

See how I did that?

 

No probs anyway. I know what you mean about not finishing it off as well, sometimes I guess it's better to just cut your losses, if you will, and give it an ending. It's all good, I guess!

[SoF]

For your information my esteemed Eminence, that is sticking your tongue out, not tongue in cheek

[Eminence]

Yeah well no sh*t!

 

But you know what I mean. It gives the general effect that you're having a laugh.

[SoF]

hahaha true true, i just like pointing out peoples foibles and mistakes, probably why i get in so many fights

 

cheers anyways man, ignore my warped dodgy sense of humour, i am grateful for the critique