In the book “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds, Shawn has a big impact on Will, the protagonist, despite only appearing in the book a few times. Shawn’s death sets off a chain of events which lead Will to question his life and his values, and ultimately leads him to make a life-altering decision. Firstly, Shawn’s death sets the story’s plot in motion, leading to Will’s decision to seek revenge. Will’s belief in the “code” of his community, which states that he must seek retribution for his brother’s murder, is deeply ingrained in him, and he feels obligated to follow it. However, as Will descends in the elevator, he encounters the ghosts of those who have died in his community, including Shawn. Through these encounters, Will begins to question