GANGPIRE II

Prologue

The religion of Santeria consists of multiple deities called Orishas that control different realms. Elleguá is the guardian of the dead, he is the Orisha who opens and closes all paths to mankind. He's an inseparable friend of Oggun (Orisha of war, and metal) and Oshun (Orisha of love, fertility, femininity, and diplomacy). Elleguá and Eshu have often been mistakenly described as the same entity, which is not the case. Eshu is more like Elleguá's shadow or reflection; they are two sides of the same coin. Both are tricksters but Eshu is wilder and less civilized than Elleguá, neither is Eshu an Orisha. For example, Elleguá resides inside of the house and Eshu outside of the house. This is because Eshu is so complicated that every time he comes inside a home he brings torment and havoc. Eshu would walk the streets to see what pranks he could pull on humans because they did not pay him homage. Elleguá saw Eshu one day and gave him some of his offerings. They sat and ate and made fun of the people in the streets. When it was time for Elleguá to go inside, Eshu continued to roam the streets causing disarray. Oshun saw how Eshu could be controlled when he was fed and she made a pact with him. She told the humans as long as they would leave a plate of food outside their homes for him, Eshu would promise not to come inside to cause turmoil. Elleguá who was also there said he would remain alongside Eshu. From that day they walked together as one.

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"Elleguá you made it way too easy for them to defeat Caesar when you spooked him with Pedro's ghost," Eshu grumbled, his hands wet and sticky from the rum that was splashing from his glass as he spoke. He had a tendency to speak with his hands, moving them in a similar manner rap artists do while performing their craft.

Elleguá grinned and gripped the cigar in his mouth between his teeth; a red cap casting a shadow over his eyes. "Oh nonsense brother, if anything you're just upset that I pulled a prank before you could," he retorted. At that, they both burst into laughter that befitted their childlike forms.

Elleguá refilled his glass with more rum from the bottle that sat on the shabby wooden table. "Besides Eshu, the offering of the skateboards Tacoma tributed to me has been one of the coolest offerings I've received in years. In addition, the enjoyment I've had from his sister's tutoring has been just as great and I know you've been enjoying it too."

The last comment made Eshu grin. "How could I not enjoy seeing you bust your ass? Hell, the humans have entire TV shows dedicated to exactly that. I have an idea for a little wager involving Tacoma..."

Elleguá was all ears as Eshu continued to ramble out his plan.

Chapter 1

Although a millionaire many times over from his successful casino robberies, Slow Poke refused to move out of East Oakland's crime riddled Brookfield district. Instead, he opted to buy the biggest house in the area.

The East Oakland version of a mansion included a swimming pool in the backyard. The pool didn't contain any water but instead a sweaty, lanky, youth in a maroon three piece Brooks Brother's suit thrashing on a skateboard.

Dressed in khaki shorts, a tank top, and fire engine red house shoes with an obese joint behind his ear, Iron Head lazily spread out on a lawn chair. "Man the li'l homie been at it for hours. It's like he's in a trance or something, blood," he said to Slow Poke who stepped out on to the patio carrying a 24- pack of Red Stripe. Iron Head looked at the beer and raised an eyebrow. "Red Stripe, huh? I guess my b-dog eloquence is startin' to rub off on you, homie."

Slow Poke snatched the joint from behind Iron Head's ear and put it in his mouth in lieu of answering. He set the beer down in front of the empty lawn chair that he squeezed his huge frame into, lit the joint, and chuckled. "Nigga did you just say you wanted to rub off on me? Cuzz, if I knew you rocked that way I never woulda broke yo' ass out the pen!" Slow Poke made a phony grimace of disgust and continued." You better not be watching my li'l thumper with...ahem...questionable motives."