Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the GTA franchise.
I step out of the bus. Here I am: Liberty City. The year is 2009. It's a fresh start for me. I have no place to go now. That's the problem with getting out of prison when you have no friends or family members left. If I could get some cash, I could afford at least a motel room for the night. It's already 4:30 pm, so I might as well hang out at the bar. I always get work there.
I get a cab and am on my way. It's an ugly afternoon, cold and wet. I drift in and out of consciousness. It's dark in here and I'm tired.
Suddenly, I see her in my head. The sharp glow behind her. I try to forget her but it's hard. Her hair burns right off. Her flesh starts to melt off as she howls like a banshee, while I'm left watching. Hurt. Alone. And she's dying. Dead.
I awake abruptly and let out a loud yell. The driver looks shocked, I tell him to stop. I run out of the cab and sprint through some alleys to get away quick. I never did have money to pay him anyway.
I catch my breath and walk the few blocks to Luigi's club. I'm not sure he owns it anymore, but I'll take my chances. Here I am.
I enter the club and take a look around. I walk up to the bar and ask the bartender if Luigi still owns the place. He tells me that Luigi lost it a couple of years to a man named Niko Bellic.
I feel a cold hand touch my shoulder. ''The boss would like to see you.'' he tells me.
''I don't work for anyone...'' I sarcasticaly reply. ''Don't be a wise ass, kid.'' he warns me.
He leads to me a table near the back of the building. I take a seat.
''The boss'' stares at me for a few seconds before saying anything.
''Do you know who I work for?'' he asks me. It feels like his eyes are piercing my skin. ''No...'' I tell him. He looks disappointed.
''I won't give you any names. Let's just say... oh, I don't know... The Russian Mob. You should know we don't take kindly to street gangs. Especially when there on our turf, with their members in our clubs.'' he explains.
''Well sorry to disappoint you ''boss'', but I'm not in some dirty little street gang.''
He takes my hand and puts it on the table. Him and his bodyguard stare at the spider web tattoo on my hand.
''Well what the fuck is this then,'' he asks me, sounding irritated, '' You have 5 seconds to explain before I cut it off.''
''It's a prison tattoo!'' I yell nervously. He lets go of my hand.
''What's your name?'' he asks me. I'm relieved that this is drifting towards a more casual conversation.
''Vladistav Konstantin'' I tell him, ''Are you Russian?'' he asks me.
''My father was Russian, my mother was Serbian.'' I explain. He nods.
''Why did you come here, Mr. Konstantin?'' he wonders aloud. ''To be honest, I was looking for work, I just got out of prison, and I have no money.''
''Ah yes, of course. I know that feeling. Well, lucky you. You see, there is a narcotics dealer selling in our territory. Of course, I do not want this. Convince him to leave, Mr. Konstantin, and you will be rewarded.'' he tells me.
This is an offer I can't refuse. Luigi never did seem that enthusiastic about having a Rusky working for him. The boss slides me a picture and a switchblade and tells me that he usually stays out at this time.
I slither around the Red Light District in the dark for about an hour, scanning the streets for this bastard. I am wearing nothing but a leather jacket. It's cold and raining, but I need the money, and the respect.
It's 8:47 when I finally see the guy. He looks like a typical dealer. He's dressed in a black hoody with baggy pants. I walk up to him.
''Hey my man! You need anything? I got it. I sell cheap, but it's great quality shit.'' he tells me.
''I need you to take your business, and bring it elsewhere. The boss doesn't want you in the Red Light District. Take your shit to Bohan or something. Just not here.''
''What the fuck man? Who the fuck do you think you are? I sell my shit where I want, I ain't your lil' bitch.'' he exclaims.
I pull out my switchblade and point it at him. He curses loudly and tries to punch me in the stomach. I take his arm with my free hand and twist it until he whines in pain. I tell him to leave, but he just spits at me. Wrong move, asshole. I cut him on the cheek and hit his stomach with my knee. He finally agrees so I kick him down and let him get up and flee like a bug.
Upon returning to the club, I don't see Niko. His bodyguard is waiting for me though.
''The boss is waiting for you in his office,'' he tells me. He escorts me up the stairs to the office and introduces himself properly ''By the way, kid, my name's Boris.''
I enter Niko's office and see him waiting for me at his desk. The room is lit by a dim light bulb hanging from the ceiling, and is filled with smoke.
''I assume the job is done...'' he says. I quickly nod. He takes a long drag of his cigar and puts a couple of hundred bucks on the table.
'' You need more work, you come see me, ok?'' he tells me. I nod again, take the wad of cash and leave.
I should get used to calling him boss.
Author's note: Thanks for reading, and yes, you will learn about Vlad's past in upcoming chapters.
