Innercity Stories

Kevin Griffin is a lonely errand boy working for a powerful drug lord in a lethal underworld. He suffers severely from depression and anger as a biracial teenager with an incarcerated black father and an alcoholic white mother. With a cold-blooded mind, Kevin carries a switchblade knife as he collects debts from gamblers and drug buyers all over Massachusetts by boarding the Commuter Rail to complete his assignments.

Brandon Bailey or BB as most of his family and friends call him is a self-described comic book geek, science fiction, fantasy, cartoon, nerd. BB is a black boy growing up during the 70's in Houston, TX and uses his vast imagination to not only negotiate the sometimes challenging inner city streets but also to create a persona that does not always equal what his family, friends or even society think a black boy can aspire to be. Join BB and his wonderful imagination as he explores, leans and sometimes teaches folks about the power of believing

A surprise excursion finds a high school athlete in a festive gay bar.

The Rea Estate family, now calling themselves the Gore family in honor of Dr. Gore, have become infamous heroes in Easternport, known by the Townies for their bravery in the South End fiasco, but to the Serpent Society who rule the city, they are deviants who threaten the authority of the government. And at the center of the Serpent aristocracy, Ian Fusch broods over the growing support for the wiley Gore family leader, Mikkel, who has been rounding up a strange group of "friends" on the dirtier side of Center City.

In the heart of New Orleans, inside a smoke-filled bar where regrets linger longer than the liquor, Tavon sits with nothing but memories and a past that refuses to let him go. Once a king of the streets, now just a ghost of everything he lost, he recognizes something dangerous in two young men chasing the same throne he once held. Chi and Halo think they're different. They think they're ready. Tavon knows better. Because the game doesn't change. It just waits. "Used To Be" is a raw look at cycles, consequences, and the brutal truth about a life that only ends one way.

Author's Note: This story is a blend of fiction and non-fiction. Some chapters are inspired by real letters written to me by my nephew in September and August of 2009, while others come from my own experiences and imagination. Together, these true and imagined moments create a portrait of survival, family, and street life. UnSaid Story Of Chico is an authentic urban drama based on the real life of my nephew, Robert V. Carstarphen aka Chico, a street fashion icon from Camden, NJ. Tall, handsome, and magnetic, blessed with perfect looks, and always impeccably dressed in the freshest streetwear. His style and confidence made him stand out wherever he went. The ladies are crazy over him. He made each one feel special. Chico's friends often tried to be him, imitating his unique swag and style. They admired his confidence and the way he carried himself, but no one could truly match the original Downtown's Finest. Their attempts to copy him only fueled their jealousy even more. Their envy grew quietly, turning admiration into resentment this is more than just a story. It's a tribute to Chico's resilience, charisma, and the harsh realities of the streets that shaped and, in the end, took him.

Rachel has worked in inner city crime for as long as she could remember. Whether she was a part of it or stopping it, it didn't matter to her. She always had control. Rachel finds herself suddenly diving headfirst into something she can't control and before she knows it, she discovers that everything runs deeper than she thought. As Rachel fights this monster, she finds truth within herself and a strength she didn't know she had. But she's not entirely certain she'll make it out of this fight alive.

A collection of excerpts, poems, proverbs, quotations that I have read and had become a part of my inner city. Credits to the rightful owners.

A 13 yrs old boy fighting to stay on the right path even though his present situation is pointing him to gangs,gun and a life of crime.

> He was all smoke and danger - the boy they called Fire. She was quiet storms and locked journals - the girl they barely noticed, until she didn't blink. Nobody saw it coming. Not the notes taped to her door. Not the way their names started to rhyme. Not the love story that felt too risky to speak out loud. In a city that doesn't care who gets burned, Rain touched Fire - and everything changed. A story about scars, survival, and a love so unexpected... it might just save them both.

Jay's life is shaped by the struggles of an unforgiving world. In a city where survival is never guaranteed, he's forced to confront difficult choices and the weight of his past. As danger looms and time runs short, Jay searches for peace in a world that offers little rest. A gritty, emotional story of hardship, resilience, and the hope for something better beyond the chaos.

The streets promise money, respect, loyalty, and power. They never advertise the funerals, prison sentences, broken families, and wasted potential that come with them. When sixteen-year-old Malik Carter becomes captivated by the fast life surrounding him, he believes he's finally found a shortcut to success. But as friends disappear, bodies drop, and dreams turn into nightmares, Malik discovers a truth most people learn too late: the streets never give anything for free. Every reward comes with a price. And eventually, the streets always collect.

A junky traverses the opioid crisis, wading his way down the United States' east coast. Hitting every city he can that sells below market priced Vicodins. The story is told through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, who is simultaneously unreliable and extremely insightful, and does not seem to mind his situation, His odyssey takes him through America's seedy fringes, orbiting dark underbellies, and making questionable choices that put him in a few harrowing situations. His musings will make you laugh, and his actions will break your heart, all within the same sentence. Take the trip, and see where it goes.

In one fateful night two men's paths will collide. Christopher Davis is a hardworking man who works twelve hour shifts at a produce shipping company, he also is a young man with a beautiful fiancé and even more beautiful 4 month old daughter. Kamar Drew is a notorious criminal who's arrest record started when he was at the tender age of 14. He's recently released after serving a five year sentence for drug possession, after receiving his second strike Kamar has vowed to never return to prison no matter what he has to do. These two men will have to rely on each other to survive or at least see their families one more time

My genesis was never clean. It was stained with struggles, rumors, losses, and close calls. But from that mud, I built the foundation for everything that followed. The block gave me grit, the cipher gave me voice, and the hustle gave me purpose. This is where JayRone was born. Not just an artist. Not just a battle rapper. But a hustler molded by streets, sharpened by pain, and destined to turn survival into success.

On My Block: Monse and Cesar Cesar was born and raised into the Santos nothing was gonna change that. He was prepared for it his whole life and honestly kind of excited when it was his time to join. Monse lived in Inglewood her whole life but her dad said he "needed a change of scenery", they moved to Freeridge right across the street from what could only be described as the worst house in the neighborhood. She sees a boy about her age lives there but she can tell he isn't a good guy. Something about Monse calls his attention and he wants to find out what it is.

Kendra Smithens spent her entire life believing that the technologically advanced city, New York, was the only way of living. And that the only way to make it better is to be upgraded from the rusty Outer City to the exclusive Inner City. But is it? Can she escape the heavily guarded New York using the help of a strange boy? Will she trust him enough to use his help? And will she finally find a place where she won't have to listen to the cogs?

After Corbin's death, kinny feels as if something's changed in Oakland. He continuously uncovers pieces to what he finds, which leads him to venture all around the western side of the u.s. looking for awnsers, and trying to bring Corbin's death to justice.

She would do anything for him. He would do anything to keep her. Now, they realise just how different those feelings are, and who they benefit.

Poetry for the Homeless No judgement, just how it looked from one person's perspective.