The morning sun cast a warm glow over the picturesque suburb of Elmwood known for its Treeline streets perfectly manicured Lawns and rows of pristine white picket fences Elmwood was. The picture of Tranquility yet beneath its idyllic surface tensions often simmered quietly unspoken but felt by those who didn't fit the town's cookie cutter image 15-year-old Jamal Daniels had. Always stood out in Elmwood with his radiant smile and Natural Curiosity he was well-loved by his teachers and peers at school Jamal was a rising star in the local. Stem Community leading his high school robotics team to National recognition his mother Angela Daniels the first black mayor of Elmwood had raised him to believe in hard work kindness and the importance of community.
On this particular saturday Jamal was focused on one goal raising funds for his school's robotics competition with the team sights set on the national championships every dollar counted he'd. Volunteered to Canvas the neighborhood handing out flyers and collecting donations dressed in a Navy hoodie jeans and sneakers Jamal carried a clipboard with a stack of neatly printed Flyers. Each flyer detailed the school fundraiser including links to the school's website for online donations his route took him from one end of Elmwood to the other a task he. Approached with enthusiasm the day had been going smoothly most neighbors were polite some even generous a few handed him $20 bills commending him for his effort others offered bottles of water or snacks encouraging him to keep up the good work. By midday Jamal had made impressive progress his donation sheet filling up with names and pledges.
But as jamal approached a large colonial style house near the edge of the neighborhood he couldn't shake the feeling of being washed from behind a lace curtain Mrs Carol. Wright's sharp eyes followed his every move a longtime resident of Elmwood Carol prided herself on knowing everyone in the neighborhood or so she thought the sight of Jamal a. Black teenager she didn't recognize moving from house to house IM immediately raised her suspicions her mind raced with assumptions why was he here what was he doing why was. He wearing a hoodie on such a pleasant day to Carol Jamal didn't look like the kids she was used to seeing in Elmwood and that alone made her uneasy. Carol's unease quickly turned into suspicion picking up her phone she dialed 911.
"This is Carol Wright," she said her voice tinged with urgency there's a young man wandering around the neighborhood looking into houses he's carrying something maybe a clipboard I think he's scouting houses to rob. The dispatcher on the other end tried to clarify "Ma’am, is the individual engaging in any illegal activity? Has he tried to enter any homes?" "Well, no," Carol admitted, "but he’s acting suspiciously. You can't be too careful these days the dispatcher hesitated then promised to send officers to investigate. Carol hung up and crossed her arms her eyes never leaving Jamal as he continued to the next house.