As a story writing technique, we taught our students to plan out the ending first before they began. It helps focus where the character will go, what needs to happen and whether the story ends happy or sad.

For this assignment, students were given the last sentence and had to write a story to match it.

Emma and Ava were walking back home from school when they passed the playground they used to play in as little kids. Emma suggested playing there for old times sake. Ava reluctantly agreed, but questioned Emma about what to say to their parents when they got home late. Emma reassured her not to worry and instructed her to tell her parents that the teacher asked them to stay behind.

They played on the swings reminiscing about the time when they were in kindergarten. After a few minutes, as they were getting ready to leave, a strange man in head-to-toe black arrived.

They grew suspicious and speed-walked out the back gate of the playground. They repeatedly glanced behind them to see if the man was following them. When they were sure the man was following them, they ran as fast as they could, trying to get to the main road where people could see them. Just as they were about to reach it, a vile smirk appeared on the man's face. He grabbed both of them from behind. The girls both struggled and tried to get free of the man’s grip, but failed at all attempts... Just as the man was about to get them into a black van and it looked like all hope was lost, Emma elbowed the man in his stomach which made the man loosen his grip for a split second. Emma quickly dashed to a corner, watching in horror as her best friend got dragged into the black van, knowing there was nothing she could do.

Emma froze in guilt, blaming herself, not knowing if she would ever see her best friend again. She got back on her feet just as the van drove off. She sprinted as fast as she could, focused on getting back home, not paying attention to anything else. Once she got home, her parents noticed her in distress and questioned her about what happened. She frantically told her parents about everything that happened. Her parents didn’t believe her at first. She showed them her all her bruises in frustration and desperation. Their eyes widened in horror and her mom quickly called the cops. Emma called Ava’s parents immediately and told them about the situation. Ava’s parents, Emma and Emma’s parents all drove to the police station.

Once they arrived, they quickly told the receptionist Emma’s mom called earlier to report a missing person case. Some police came and asked them a few questions. They brought Emma to an interrogation room and had her describe what the man looked like, what vehicle he was driving and some other questions related to the incident. Once she told the police officer everything, they went back home. The radio was playing the news of Ava’s kidnapping.

She followed the sound of the radio to its source and pulled the plug. She had no need of news now. She knew what had happened.

The Kidnapping Incident