Young             Megan

Authors:

 Yoyo

Ivy didn’t expect the can to talk. But the moment she picked it up from the riverbank, it whispered, “One down, two to go.” She froze. She had read countless legends about the three cans—one that granted wishes, one that filled people with hope, and one that… well, who knows? But she had never imagined finding one herself.

Ivy was born for adventures. Every shining hot summer, she joined the scouts, spending weeks learning survival skills in the wilderness with nothing but a compass and a map. She spent days hiking, swimming in unknown rivers, and exploring every mysterious trail.

She ended up near the river, stepping off the path to see where it led. And stumbled into the crazy talking can. She stared at it, excitement bubbling inside her. If only I could find all three cans… I will be a legend. Without telling anyone, she slipped away that night, quiet as a mouse. 

She only brought some survival supplies and the precious can, figuring it would be a quick journey. ”Just going to cross some scary bandits and evil lords, wouldn’t be too hard, right?” Ivy said out loud.

She had passed countless broken villages, murky rivers, and deserted towns, walking for days under the searing sun. Her legs were already sore and sweat-soaked her clothes. Why did I ever want to find these cans? She didn’t even have any clue about where they were! It was the third day after she left her home. She was taking a small break in a cool forest when something caught her attention. A plume of smoke was rising from a thick area of oak trees. The bandit village! Then something slammed into her, and all went black.  

Ivy groaned and sat up from the hard prison floor. Her wrists still hurt from the rough ropes the awful bandits had used to bind her. She sighed deeply. That wasn’t in her plan. The moment she saw the bandit Village, it was an instant capture. The bandits had taken away her things, including the can. How will she find all the cans when she lost the first can? Worst of all, she was now stuck in this horrible place. She shivered in the cold, damp air. The two bandits at the only entrance still hadn’t moved yet. Then her gaze caught on something lying in the dust, a battered and rusty can.

Ivy inched closer, taking a better look at the can. It was the color of the sea under the moonlight, a tropical teal dotted with frosty silver spots. However, its beauty ended there; it was corroded, and some of the colors had faded into a steel blue. She slowly reached out, and whispered, “Two down, one to go.” Ivy’s eyes widened. She had just stumbled into the second can! Now, she just had to figure out how to leave there alive. Plan B began to take shape in her mind.

Ivy clutched the can tightly, the metal felt cold and smooth against her palm. “ Help me, please,” she whispered. A warm gust of wind whipped through the cold cell, knocking over a torch outside. Hungry flames licked at the wooden beams, consuming them easily. And the old prison burst into white, hot flames. 

Her heart pounded; the fire was already spreading throughout the bandit Village, turning everything in her vision crimson red. Bandits outside the prison were rushing around in a frenzy, screaming and shrieking at the top of their lungs. A lean bandit, whom she assumed was the leader, was barking commands at them. She didn’t waste any of her time. Taking advantage of the fire, she kicked at the weakened bars. They snapped under the heels of her boots. At last, freedom!