The year was 1886. 9 year old Annalisa McNagen was traveling with her mother and father. It was Christmas morning, and her parents said they were going somewhere special. Annalisa couldn't wait, as she squirmed in her seat with anticipation.
"Are we there yet?!" The young girl asked excitedly.
"Yes yes, we are almost there. Be patient my darling" her mother replied, all while glancing at her husband who has sitting next to her. He glanced back, and their eyes met, as if some sort of message was being said. Both knew what was about to happen, and both were prepared for it.
Suddenly, they spotted their destination. A turn leading to a cliffside that looked over the ocean. Her mother, who was driving, prepared herself for the decision she was about to make.
"Now sweetie, Daddy and I both want you to understand that we are doing this because we love you, and we want what's best for you." She said to her innocent child.
"What do you mean Mama?" The young girl questioned.
Before she had a chance to answer, a shot rang out. There, in the back seat, lay the lifeless body of Annalisa.
"We did this for her own good, right honey?" Her mother asked her husband.
"Sweetie, we both know that he would have gotten to her if we hadn't have acted. It was the only thing we could have done."
"You're right" she agreed.
By this time, the cart was parked in front of the cliff, the waves of the sea crashing on the sides.
"Shall we?" Her husband asked.
"Bye baby" her mother cried, holding back tears.
Her husband picked up his daughter, and threw her off the side of the cliff.
"Now, let's go home" he said getting back in the car "And let's at least try to enjoy the rest of our Christmas. She would have wanted that"
"Alright" her mother said reluctantly as she drove away from the cliffside.
What no one knew was little Annalisa was still alive, but barely, her near lifeless body floating in the ocean. Tears streamed down her face as she slowly died in anguish while trying to comprehend what her parents had meant when they said "he would have gotten to her eventually". Who was he?
Slowly but surely, little Annalisa closed her eyes and drifted into her final sleep.
