Evelyn's light brown hair fluttered in the night breeze as she moved carefully along the treacherous path. Her tan skirt and silky white tights caught the faint glow of her flashlight, while the blue diamond shimmered in her trembling palm. Each step sent a jolt through her already tender ankle, but her eyes burned with resolve, focused on the looming dolphin statue at the garden's heart. "I must be careful, my weak ankle is already tender," she whispered, voice barely audible above the ghostly cackles that seemed to echo from the shadows.
Startled by a flickering apparition that darted across her path, Evelyn lost her focus, her foot slipping on a hidden root. Pain shot up her leg as her weak ankle twisted violently beneath her, sending her sprawling to the ground. Tears welled in her eyes as she felt her ankle swelling, the joint throbbing beneath the stretched fabric of her tights. "No, my ankle, aaaaa ow, it badly twisted aaaa, no I felt ligaments tear in my ankle, it hurts so bad!" she cried, clutching at her foot, breath coming in ragged gasps. Evelyn's fingers trembled as she tried to free her foot from the cruel grip of the root, every movement sending another wave of agony through her injured joint.
Her tan flat pressed tightly against the swelling, and she winced as she attempted to lower her foot to the ground. The pain was blinding, forcing her to bite back a sob as she gingerly touched her ankle through the delicate white fabric. Bruises bloomed in dark purples and blues, visible even through her tights, and her shoe pressed cruelly into her foot. "Ow, it's no use, my ankle is useless, it is severely sprained," she gasped, collapsing once more. Evelyn gritted her teeth and eased her shoe off, her hands shaking as she tried to assess the damage, the pain nearly overwhelming.
Determined not to give up, Evelyn hauled herself upright, hopping along the mossy stone wall for support. A ghostly face appeared suddenly, and she lost her balance, her injured ankle slipping into a crevice with a sickening pop. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she shone her flashlight on the rapidly swelling joint, the fabric of her white tights stretched to its limit. "I have torn ligaments in my ankle, my ankle is badly bruised, and I torn a tendon, my ankle is done, I'm helpless," she whispered, voice trembling yet resolute. Despite the agony, she forced herself up again, determination blazing in her eyes.
Balancing on one foot, Evelyn tried to reach the statue’s eye, but her outstretched arm fell short. Summoning every ounce of strength, she leapt, landing hard on her sprained ankle—pain exploding as she heard a pop. Desperate, she hurled the blue diamond with a final, shaking effort. The gem landed perfectly, blue light erupting from the statue’s eyes, banishing the ghosts in a dazzling flare.
Evelyn collapsed, clutching her ruined ankle, unable to move but awash in relief. Suddenly, her grandmother’s spirit appeared, radiant and gentle, kneeling at her side. Grandmother: Elderly, kind, luminous presence, Evelyn’s beloved ancestor. "You saved me, Evelyn," the spirit whispered, brushing hair from Evelyn's tear-streaked face. "I love you, Grandma. I did it for you. My weak ankle is badly sprained—I can't walk. I can’t make it to the exit, I'm badly hurt," Evelyn whimpered, her voice raw with pain and joy. "Rest now, my brave girl. Help is coming, and I will stay with you until then," Grandmother promised, enveloping Evelyn in warmth and light. Evelyn clung to her ankle and cried, but this time, her tears were filled with relief and love.
