On March 15, 2014, the residents of New York City buried a time capsule. Their hope was that on March 15, 2114, it would be opened and the future residents of NYC would see what life was like 100 years in the past. Locked away in the titanium cylinder were important artifacts from the present day. The objects were chosen by citizens from all walks of life and professions: librarians, teens, computer programmers, medical professionals, research scientists, gardeners, biologists, and more.

Etched onto the surface of the time capsule were the words of a famous author, William Faulkner: "I believe that man will not merely endure. He will prevail….because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance."

The capsule was buried with much hope for the future.

Sadly, things didn’t turn out as they had hoped.

By March 15, 2514, New York had become a desperate place. Something big had changed. The city was in near ruins. Citizens were terrified.

Two teens – or kidz, as they were called now – were on their way home from a secret meeting. As they walked in the shadows to avoid detection, they tripped on a huge titanium cylinder. Etched into the surface were a series of scratched-out words. The only words they could make out were, "He will prevail."

The kidz dragged the heavy cylinder into a hidden alleyway and twisted it open. The glow from their flashlights revealed what was inside. With gasps of relief, they looked at each other with hope in their eyes for the first time in years.

Now you will become the author and write a narrative based on the prompt. Start your story with your characters walking home and discovering the time capsule.

Here are some things to consider as you fill out your organizer to plan your story:

• Who are the teens? What are their names? What are they like?
• What was the secret meeting about?
• What is the conflict? What has happened to New York City?
• What is in the time capsule? What did the kidz see that gave them hope?
• What will they do with what they find? How will they help save the city?
• What challenges will they face along the way?
• What big choice will they make at the climax of the story?
• What lesson do they learn at the end of the story?