Prologue: A boy

Crime thrived in their city. They were bred from it. Born watching their backs and being careful how they moved. The three friends thought they could survive if they had each other.
But bonds forged in tragedy and blood aren't forever resilient. Time penetrates, and peels away every pillar of strength until nothing remains.
The lover, trapped in his own mind...no longer knowing what he fought for.
The mourning, trapped in her addiction. Unable to move on.
The prodigy, trapped in a neverending cycle of violence and repentance.
Love can become a festering wound that will eventually poison the body.
The question is, can they live without it?