My name is John Charles, but everyone calls me JC, and I'm 22 years old. I've got honey-colored eyes, brown hair, stand at 6'3”, have a few tattoos, and a well-built physique.

I'm the underboss of the favela, right-hand man to my best bud Pedro. He took over the hill three years ago, and ever since then, we've become even closer. We grew up together in this shantytown; we've always been like brothers. His mom died giving birth, and his dad raised him on his own—with the help of my mom, who's always loved him dearly.

We witnessed Pedro's dad being killed when our favela was taken over. It was awful, but he got past it and now runs this place like no other.

Pedro

My name is Pedro. I'm 23 years old, have green eyes, light brown hair—almost blond—and I'm 6'1" with a toned body.

I've been running the hill since my dad passed away, and keeping this place together is a big job. But at least I've got JC, my partner in crime who's never let me down. I trust him with my life. We grew up as brothers, and his mother, Aunt Marina, helped my father raise me. She never took a dime for it, even though my dad always offered. The most she'd accept was some help with groceries since she was always on her own, raising Joao and Camili by herself, and now she's got Manu too. Camili and Manu are Joao's sisters; Camili is 21, lives uptown now, and hardly ever comes around. Manu, on the other hand, is just 2 but, despite loving her brother, she's totally attached to me. If I weren't so well known in the favela and everyone didn't know Manuzinha, they might think she was my own daughter because she spends all day with me when I'm not running the business. I have this unreal bond with that little girl.

Mari

Hello, I'm Mari, mother to Joao, Camili, and Manu, and I've also become an adoptive mother to Pedro. I have green eyes, light brown hair, and I'm 5'5”. I'm not at all happy about my kids being involved in drug trafficking, but I knew what was in store for my little Pedro once his father was gone—like father, like son. And he's always been obsessed with the favela, always helped his dad, ever since he was a kid.

Camili

I'm Camili, JC's sister. I'm 5'6”, with green eyes and red hair, just like my dad's. That bum, at least he left me with something good. Honestly, I'm not into this whole favela life; it's just not for me. That's why I prefer to stay in my own space. I used to mess around with a rich boy when I still lived in the favela, and his dad hated the idea of his son being with a girl from the slums, as he called me. So now, his dad pays for all my luxuries just to keep me away from his precious son. That's why I've got my own apartment and live life on my terms, without anyone to bother me.

Peter

I was chilling at home when suddenly I was struck by a massive craving for food. Checking the time, it was 12:40 PM, so I decided to head down the hill to grab a bite at Aunt Marina's. She had opened a little eatery in the neighborhood about three months ago, with a bit of help from me. Between us though, convincing her was no easy feat. She only came around to the idea when I mentioned that she could pay me back in installments for whatever she owed. Just between us, that woman raised me like her own child; if anyone owes anything, it's me to her. But anyway, Aunt Mari can be stubborn, especially when money linked to shady dealings is involved. I sent a quick message to JC telling him I was heading to his spot to have a meal. He responded that he was taking care of some business at the spot but would head down soon.

Arriving at Aunt Marina's, Manu didn't even let me get off my bike before running towards me. I lifted her into my arms before even dismounting.

Peter – Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?

Manu – Good, daddy.

Yes, Manu had been calling me daddy since she was one year and three months old. It was a bit awkward initially, but now everyone's used to it. She doesn't understand, and she lacks a father figure in her life. Her real dad, a drug addict who owed me a significant amount for drugs, I didn't erase only out of consideration for little Manu. But I made sure he left; he was no role model for her. Not that I am much of one, but at least he would come home drunk and high, and the only reason he never laid a hand on Aunt Mari was because JC and I made it clear it was off-limits. The one time he tried, JC almost finished him off. If not for Manu's sake, that man would've been worm food a long time ago. We didn't want her to ever have to know we killed her father.

Marina – Hey son, how are you? I bet you're hungry, right?

I was pulled from my thoughts when Aunt Marina called out to me.

Peter – Ah, hey Auntie. You know me, I’m absolutely famished, and I've come to the best place to satisfy that hunger, haven't I?

Marina – Come on, get off that bike, and I'll set up a table for you. Pass me Manu... Come here, darling.

Manu – No, mom, I want daddy.

Peter – How about you have lunch with me, little one?

Manu – Yes! (She said as she raised her arms enthusiastically.)

Marina – You've already had lunch, young lady.

Manu – Again, mommy.

Aunt Marina shook her head in mild exasperation and went inside to prepare a table.

I sat Manu on the bike's tank so I could dismount, then scooped her up and headed inside.

Once inside, I played around with Manu for a bit until Joao arrived soon after.

Peter – What's up, brother? Everything cool?

JC – Hey, man. Everything's good? I see the little one's already attached to you.

Peter – Don't talk about her that way. (As I spoke, Manu stuck out her tongue at him. Haha, the little girl was a handful.)

Seeing that Joao had arrived, Aunt Marina took the opportunity to bring out food for the three of us.

JC – Hey there, old lady. How's it going?

Marina – Old lady is your mother, young man. (She replied, making a face at him, and then turned to me.) Do you want me to take her so you can eat in peace, dear?

Peter – No need, Auntie. This one here is my daily dose of peace in this place (I said, hugging my little girl).

Pedro

Aunt Marina nodded in agreement and left; she trusted me too much with Manu's care, especially since Manu was born. I was always there for her, even for the smallest issues like colic. I changed diapers, gave baths, and sometimes took her to the doctor, especially for routine check-ups since Aunt Marina had to work and couldn't dedicate herself fully to the little one. She had no one to leave Manu with before the restaurant opened, so the baby would spend almost the whole day with me, and JC was in charge of the hillside. JC is her brother, but he's got no knack for kids, ha, and Camili, that life was never for her; she was the typical rich girl without a penny, who took the first chance to bail out and abandoned the whole family. To talk to Aunt Mari, Camili has to visit her apartment, or just call her. Nowadays, Aunt Mari has Julia, a girl from the hill, helping her at the restaurant, particularly when she has to step out because of Manu.

Julia and I had a fling when we were younger; I was about 15, but it wasn't serious for me, though she's still crazy about me. JC, on the other hand, hates her. He won't even say hi to the girl when he comes here, and I've got no clue why he despises her. I asked him if he had a crush on her – because, frankly, I'd feel rotten if I was stepping on my brother's toes – but he'd always say, "No way, just can't stand that girl," rolling his eyes whenever we spoke of her.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll figure out all that hate for the girl.

After we finished eating, I told JC to get back to the lookout since we had a drug shipment to receive. Meanwhile, I went upstairs with Manu to watch some cartoons. We were there for quite a while until she fell asleep. Then I went downstairs, kissed Aunt Marina who was busy with the dishes, said goodbye to Julia as she cleaned the tables, and headed to the lookout with JC.

Julia - Auntie, he's so good with kids, isn't he?

Marina - A true godsend when it comes to my little Manu. It's no wonder she calls him dad since the loser who should be her father never stepped up. But him, he's got so much love for my little one, and I for him. I feel as if he's my eldest son.

Julia - Ahh (she sighed, watching me climb on the bike and ride up the hill).

Marina - You've got it bad for him, don’t you, girl?

Julia - Oh Auntie, yes, but he never paid me any mind. We hung out a few times when we were younger, but it was nothing. Your son always showed up to ruin it, ugh.

Marina - I've never understood Joao's grudge against you; he can't stand you. What did you do to my boy, Julia? Don't tell me you were seeing both of them at the same time.

Julia - No, Auntie, never ever. I did nothing like that. I have no idea why JC hates me; I never did anything to him. We were childhood friends, we grew up together, and suddenly he turned his back on me and hasn't said hi since.