It was morning in Atlanta, Georgia. At a rundown apartment complex, kids played basketball outside while inside one unit, Kai Gonzalez, a mixed-race teen with a pink buzzcut and piercings, ate a bowl of Froot Loops. A news report played in the background.
"The Pink Bandit strikes again, at least that's what they call her on social media," the newscast said. "A seemingly female vigilante covered from head to toe in pink ribbons has gone from a lowly burglar to the most wanted criminal in El Paso, Texas, being responsible for over a dozen robberies in the Sun City over the past year. The only trace detectives have of her is a video taken from what police believe to be her first robbery, caught on downtown El Paso security cameras last night."
The TV then showed surveillance footage of the Pink Bandit breaking into a coffee shop. "If you know anything about the true identity of the Pink Bandit, don't hesitate to contact El Paso police at (915) 212-4000," the reporter stated.
Kai watched the Pink Bandit report, her image reflected in his cereal bowl, when there was a loud knocking at his door. "I got it!" he yelled, hurrying to answer it. The incessant knocking continued. "I'm coming, damn!"
Kai opened the door to his friend Jace, an African American teen with dreads wearing a Trae Young Atlanta Falcons jersey. "Bro, what is wrong with you, knocking on my door like that? It's 8 AM, man, we got neighbors," Kai admonished.
"Ay, my fault bro, I had to - it was urgent," Jace replied.
"Alright man, what?"
"We need one more for hoops. Tracy had to go help his mom." Kai rolled his eyes and started to close the door, but Jace blocked it with his foot. "Bro, move!"
"Bro, c'mon just hear me out!" Jace pleaded. "I already told you I'm not hooping with any of y'all until I get my money! I beat y'all fair and square and y'all still won't pay up!"
"Okay, okay, it's not just hoops!" Jace backtracked.
Kai relaxed his grip on the door. "What is it?"
Jace looked at the ground. "My uh- my brother has an opportunity for us."
Kai rolled his eyes. "Now Jace, is this 'opportunity' gang related?"
Jace glanced back up. "Yeah, yeah."
Kai tried pulling the door closed again. "Yeah alright, ay move your foot bro."
But Jace refused, pleading, "Look man, please! Okay, I need one more person for a hit we're gonna do at 7-Eleven. It's the only way he'll let me in! I already told him you'd do it, c'mon! Please!"
Anger crossed Kai's face. "Yeah, and why the fuck would you want to be a part of some stupid gang like that anyway! Especially the Animals, come on man, just a bunch of kids running around wearing animal masks raising hell - that shit ain't cool."
"Because look at the fucking bigger picture, Kai!" Jace argued. "I get in this gang, I become one of them. I become one of them, I get bitches, I get money, I get weed. I mean what's not to like?"
Kai shook his head, again trying to close his door, but Jace persisted. "Look man, please, please! I already promised them you'd do it. We'll be in and out, I swear, plus you owe me!"
"Owe you?!"
"Yeah, owe me! Remember last week at the fair, I got you that girl's insta, and you said, and I quote, 'Damn Jace, I love you bro, anytime you need me I got you.' I owe you, man, for real."
Kai looked at the floor, then punched the door frame. "Fuck!"
Jace smiled. "Yeah, yeah."
"You said in and out?" Kai asked reluctantly.
"In and out," Jace confirmed.
"How can we guarantee we don't get caught?"
"That's what the animal masks are for, bro. C'mon, stop playing."
Kai sighed. "When do we gotta do this?"
"We can knock this out right now. My brother's in the car outside, he already got the masks and the guns. We'll have you back here in an hour, man."
As Kai contemplated, his mom called from inside, "Kai! Who's that at my door?"
"Jace, mama! We're gonna go hoop!" Kai lied.
"Okay baby!" she responded.
Kai opened the door and walked out with Jace. "Let's make this shit quick, man."
To be continued..