2: Theft

Ruby ventured deep into the forest, following the witch's directions to the letter. She battled through thick brambles and undergrowth, avoiding treacherous bogs and angry beasts.

Finally, after hours of searching, Ruby found herself standing before a delicate and rare flower, the very one the witch had tasked her to retrieve. Its vibrant petals shimmered in the sunlight, radiating an ethereal beauty.

Breathless and elated, Ruby cradled the flower carefully in her hands, feeling the weight of her success. With determination etched on her face, she turned and made her way back to the witch's hut.

As she approached, the door creaked open, revealing the witch standing there, her piercing gaze fixed upon Ruby. With a mixture of nervousness and pride, Ruby extended her hand, presenting the flower to the witch. "I have completed your challenge," she announced, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

"Excellent," said the witch, examining the flower closely.

She looked at the witch with eyes brimming with urgency, as if every second counted. Ruby couldn't bear the suspense any longer, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Please," she implored, her voice trembling with anticipation, "give it to me. My grandmother needs it now!"

''Wai--''

The witch's lips parted, ready to utter words of caution and wisdom, but before she could speak, Ruby's impatience got the better of her. In a sudden surge of determination, she turned on her heels and sprinted away from the witch's hut, leaving the words unspoken.

Her feet pounded against the forest floor as she raced through the dense foliage, guided solely by her love for her grandmother.

The urgency propelled her forward, pushing her limits as she ran faster than she had ever run before.

With each breath, Ruby's determination grew stronger, fueling her steps toward her grandmother's bedside. She couldn't afford to waste another moment.

As Ruby sprinted through the forest, the witch's words echoed in her mind. She knew she had made a mistake, but she couldn't turn back now.

Her grandmother's life was on the line, she doesn't have time to spare and she would do anything to save her.

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Arriving at her grandmother's home, Ruby burst through the door, breathless and wide-eyed. She rushed to her grandmother's side, gently clasping her frail hand.

"Grandma," she said, her voice laced with both desperation and hope, "I have what can save you. Just hold on."

Her grandmother's eyes fluttered open, a glimmer of recognition shining through. Weakly, she smiled at Ruby, her voice a mere whisper.

"My brave Ruby, you've returned. I knew you would find a way."

Ruby pressed the special item into her grandmother's palm, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I won't let you go, Grandma," she vowed, her voice filled with unwavering determination. "This will heal you, I promise."

With shaking hands, Ruby administered the special item to her grandmother, watching as the color returned to her cheeks and her breathing steadied. Relief flooded through Ruby's body as she realized that the item had worked. Her grandmother was going to be okay.

As Ruby sat by her grandmother's side, she couldn't help but feel guilty for stealing the item. But she knew that she had made the right choice. Sometimes, the rules needed to be broken, especially when it came to matters of life and death