Balloon release

The summer sun beats down on a memorial for Deonte (17), a young man whose life was cut short. His framed photo, surrounded by rose petals, fried chicken, and unopened liquor bottles, sits on a picnic table. Kelvin (20s), Deonte’s close friend, clutches a bottle of Hennessy, as his phone buzzes with notifications from a live audience. Kerri, Deonte’s sister, adjusts white balloons with trembling hands. Tony, another friend, sits beside Kelvin, with his face etched with exhaustion and sorrow. Kelvin’s phone is a lifeline to the outside world, where viewers tune in to pay their respects—or to watch the drama unfold. As the notification count climbs, Kelvin’s anger simmers. He’s torn between honoring Deonte and addressing the unseen enemies who lurk beyond the screen. A moment of hope—Kelvin and Deonte dream of escaping their violent surroundings for a fresh start in Atlanta. Their pact, "Together, no matter what," hangs heavy in the air, a promise now shattered by Deonte’s death. Kelvin, fueled by grief and liquor, goes live. His message starts as a tribute but quickly turns into a threat: "For you bitch-ass niggas... Don’t think we don’t know where you at. It’s on sight!" The park is frozen in time as his words echo. Children stop playing. The air thickens with tension. Then—tires screech. Four black cars slide into view. Doors open. Armed men emerge.