Johnny The Plastic Bag

Johnny was never known for anything great, he was just a simple plastic bag hiding in the store. Johnny longed for a partner, someone whom he could carry their groceries for, it was his only goal in life.

Day after day, Johnny sat by the till watching all his brother's and sisters get picked up and taken away. Until it was only him left, and his best friend Loopsy.

"I guess this is it" Loopsy said, as a strong man poured coffee into her, "I'm off into the wild! Oh I do hope my new partner takes care of me. I can only imagine the type of adventures we'll go on together, oh such joy!"

Johnny willed himself to raise a corner up as a salute to his friend as she was taken away never to be seen again.

The lights went out, and Johnny was left alone.

The next day, the eager plastic bag made up his mind. He didn't care if anyone adopted him, he was to go out into the wild anyway, become a free spirit if you will. People came by like most, but didnt even pay any attention to the poor bag. Seeing this always made Johnny's heart throb.

Finally the sun began to set, and just like the night before, the lights dimmed, but Johnny was ready for it, he made a quick glance at the clock that was perched proudly on the wall. 5:49 he would have to hurry.

As soon as he was sure the coast was clear, he dashed off the counter and ran towards the exit. If his memory proved correct, the owner would always close at exactly 6:00 pm. He did a quick calculator in his head on just how fast he would have to go. Johnny was never the sporty type, so sprinting across the store was proven to be quite a challenge, even without the time limit. He peeked at the clock, 5:58 the owner was already moving towards the door, but Johnny was still too far away.

He stopped and sighed, maybe he'll never be able to see the world or become a free spirit after all. Disappointed he sluggishly turned around, not really wanting to go back to his post.

Then something weird happened. The plastic bag felt a small tug on his insides and was lifted up into the air with a yelp.

It was a wind gust! Johnny had heard plenty of stories about these, the wind would know if any plastic bags were in trouble and scoop them up faster than lightning. It usually only even happens outside, but if it were really necessary they would glide in through open doors too.

Johnny felt a small blush creep onto his cheeks, he was so honored that a wind gust came after him, as he neared the exit he could hear the owner shout after him, but he was already gone. Out the doors and into the open world, Johnny was free!

The plastic bag laughed a relief as he looked around at his surroundings, tall buildings stretched out on either side of a long piece of land, whilst cars and trucks zoomed under him. Johnny stretched his handles out and glided along the air.

"Hey kid." Johnny yelped at the voice, but when he looked around, no one was there. It was just him in the open sky. "W-Whos there?" He stuttered nervously.

"It's me!" The voice replied, "Winsley Maximilian Twister! I'm the wind gust you're bottom's on!"

Johnny stole a glance down where he could just make out the image of a face, grinning up at him.

"Oh." He said, "Nice to meet you Winsley! I'm-"

"Oh I know who you are!" Winsley smiled, "You're Johnny William Scott! And the very reason I'm on this quest!"

Johnny beamed, he never thought anyone would be so eager to meet him before, "Quest?" He asked, "What do you mean?"

Winsely howled with delight, zooming faster towards a giant body of water out into the distance, "That! My dear friend, is the ocean. Many brave souls have gone missing out there, polystyrene, plastic bags, cups, spoons you name it." He sighed sadly, "Some have drowned, others were captured by the beats of below." He said sadly, "My girlfriend is out there, Button, she's a bottle. It's my duty to save her and bring her home." He laughed, "Ha! Duty! What a funny word!"

Johnny felt a ping of sadness well up inside, "but if you can save her, then why am I here?"
Windlsely tisked, "I never said that! I mean, technically I could easily scoop her up the same way I picked you up, but I have no idea where she is, which is why you need to locate her and find out what her coords are."

"But how can I do that?"

"Use your radar!"

Johnny looked down confused, "What's a radar?"

The wind rolled his eyes, "It's a locator usually built on ships, but some plastic bags are born with them, depending on which country they're made from, and you Johnny were made in China."

None of this was making any sense to Johnny, and it must've shown too, because Winsely groaned in annoyance, "Almost everything interesting is made in China kid, which is why I know you can do it. Just close your eyes and believe."

Johnny nodded, still not completely sure, but shut his eyes tightly nevertheless.

For a moment it was just pitch black, then the plastic bag was able to see something, the ocean! Not too far away was a small glass coke bottle thrashing in the waves. Johnny opened his eyes. "Go north!" He yelled, "There's a bottle in the water, I saw it!"

"Right on boss!" Windlsey yelled, turning toward the north. Not much time had passed until they were able to see the empty coke.

Windlsey laughed with joy, before tucking in towards the ocean, as soon as he was close enough, he scooped up the bottle. "Oh Button!" He yelled happiness, creeping into his voice, "I found you!" Button smiled warmly at her boyfriend, "Windsely! Oh my dear I was so scared."

Windsely sighed, "Me too hon, I'm so glad you're safe."

The plastic bag smiled, they looked so happy together.

Button turned to look at him, "Thank you uh erm-"

"Johnny," Johnny said. Button laughed with glee, "Yes, Johnny! Thank you so much for saving me! You really are an environmental hero!"

Johnny learnt on that day, that no matter how small you are, or the luxury of others, you were also very important, and from that moment on, Johnny, Windlsey and Button flew high up above the sea searching for any lost souls that needed help. In fact, I bet if you went outside to the beach, and looked hard enough, you might be able to see them flying overhead.