Years ago, there were two young men who were part of a four-man street gang, Brandon Heat and his best friend Harry MacDowell. This tells the story of their past lives together beginning with Brandon and Harry, along with friends Kenny, Jolice, and Nathan, surviving in the gang-controlled neighborhood. During this time, Brandon develops a crush on a girl named Maria, but earns the indignation of her uncle, Jester, who has a dark past. After beating a gang leader called Deed in a brawl, they soon attract the attention of a mafia enforcer and Deed's older brother named "Mad Dog" Ladd, who quickly murders Jolice and forces them to go into hiding.