Chapters 5 and 6 Summary and Analysis

Luis says that The Animal Tribe begins a quick decline with the death of its leader, seventeen-year-old John Fabela. He is shot to death in his living room while his brother watches from under a bed. John's girlfriend is pregnant with his daughter at the time of his death. With that change, the Lomas come to power but members must be initiated. Luis joins by taking a beating. He notes that one eye is swollen shut and his ribs hurt, but adheres to the notion that he did well through the beating. Later, drunk and still regarded a new recruit, he goes with a group who jump on some white guys - not gang members but just out for a joy ride. Luis, at the urging of a gang leader named Puppet, stabs one of the men with a...