Rico hands Marcus a newspaper: Charges Dropped Against Teen in Framing Scandal . Below it: Internal Investigation Launched Into Detective Hayes .

They don’t cheer. They just nod. Because in the hood, survival is a draft—and Marcus is the only writer left who still believes in the final edit.

Kelly smirks. “That’s your script? Boring.”

The corner of 47th and Wells. Graffiti like war medals on every wall. MARCUS (28, tired eyes, sharp mind) stands over a car hood that doubles as a strategy table. Around him: KELLY (26, nimble, silent), DONTÉ (30, muscle with a code), and RICO (19, tech-whiz, nervous).