im lost

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Perdita, a young girl, was strolling back home along the familiar path, the golden glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the sidewalk. As she trudged along, absorbed in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed her backpack had slipped from her shoulder and landed unceremoniously on the pavement. Puzzled, she quickly picked it up, but as she slung it back over her shoulder, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Despite the odd sensation, she brushed it off and continued on her way, the knots of worry slowly tightening in her stomach.


Finally reaching her home, she warmly greeted her parents and made her way to her room. Settling down at her desk, she was about to retrieve her pen to tackle her homework when she realized it was missing. Panic rose within her as she frantically rummaged through her belongings, her heart sinking as she encountered an empty space where the pen should have been. This particular pen held immense sentimental value as it was a gift from her late sister, a soldier who had passed away, making its disappearance all the more distressing.


Frustrated and worried, she painstakingly scrutinized her backpack, checking and rechecking it fifteen times, desperately hoping to find the cherished pen. Disheartened, she resolved to resume her search the following day, clinging to the hope of locating it.


The next morning brought a rapid awakening for Perdita, her drowsy eyes meeting the first rays of sunlight filtering through her window. With a sense of urgency, she dressed swiftly, slinging her backpack over her shoulder and fumbling with her shoes as she rushed to get ready. "I can do this, right?" she muttered to herself, her breaths coming in anxious bursts.

As she stood in front of her mirror, she gazed at her reflection with a sense of confidence and self-assurance. She looked herself in the eye and uttered the words, "It's you."

Descending the stairs, she relayed the distressing news of her missing pen to her concerned parents, who encouraged her to head out and search for it. Stepping outside, she retraced the previous day's route, her eyes scanning the surroundings intently, determined to find the pen. After some time, she spotted it lying within reach, but as she moved to retrieve it, the pen inexplicably began to float before darting into the nearby woods. Shocked and bewildered, Perdita hesitated for a moment, her sister's memory flashing before her, along with the fear of disappointing her family by failing to reclaim the precious pen. Gritting her teeth, she bolted into the woods in pursuit of the elusive pen.


As she chased after it, her foot caught on a protruding rock, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. When she lifted her gaze, she was met with an unexpected sight – a figure resembling a witch, albeit a younger one, garbed in mystical attire and tending to a bubbling cauldron. The eerie quietude of the forest was broken by the soft hum of the witch, resonating both oddly calming and unsettling. Gazing upon the pen with an air of fascination, the witch appeared lost in thought. Sensing an opportunity, Perdita seized the pen and hurried off, aiming to escape the disquieting encounter.


However, her haste was short-lived as the witch materialized before her, blocking her path and confronting her with a steely gaze. "Lost child, what brings you here, and why did you steal the pen?" the witch inquired, peering down at Perdita with a mix of authority and curiosity. Despite Perdita's attempts to explain, she was met with skepticism from the witch, who seemed unyielding in her resolve.

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