...
Anna Jadwin struggled to breathe, dreaming of herself soaring into the sky, dancing in the sunlight, surrounded by clouds that formed a beautiful stairway, countless heart-shaped clouds like warm cotton candy.
Anna stepped lightly up the heavenly stairs, traveling to a world free of pain and sorrow.
Suddenly, from the depths of the ground, enormous vines grew rapidly, producing branches and leaves that chased her up the cloud ladder.
Anna's smile vanished as she began to run upward: "Daddy...wait for me..."
The vines entwined around her ankles, and she looked up at the sky in panic.
The gates of heaven slowly closed.
"Daddy, Daddy!!" Anna whispered, moving her lips.
Wayne Bailey gripped her other hand, his eyes glinting like ice: "Anna Jadwin! Anna Jadwin! Anna Jadwin!!!"
He called her name over and over, his voice growing hoarse.
He would not let her go; he would not allow her to leave like this...
