Little Amy was only nine years old when her uncle Stanley died.

It was difficult for her to cope with this terrible death as she spent most of her summer vacation days with her loving uncle.

Amy's father had always worked long hours and Uncle Stanley was the father figure in her life.

Stanley had been divorced for quite some time had no children,

and Amy was his only salvation from a lonely existence.

He was buried in the cemetery just two blocks up from her house,

and she would go visit his grave every day, sometimes more than once.

It was on a particularly hot August night when Amy's parents had prepared to go out to a fancy restaurant across town. Both being hardworking professionals and leading a busy life, they felt

they'd owed themselves his rare treat. They were running late to make their eight o'clock

reservation.

Paul, Amy's older brother, was scheduled to show up at 7.30 to babysit Amy, but had not yet

arrived. Seeing that her parents were running late, Amy assured them that she would be fine

waiting by herself. She then hurried them to go out and have a good time. They both kissed her goodbye and drove off.

Amy was so involved playing with her dolls that she hadn't noticed how fast the time was flying by.

Paula had not yet arrived. As the big chime clock in the living room struck 11, distant thunder was heard.

Amy began to be scared. This unlikely summer storm was growing louder and mightier by the minute she took her dolls with her and ran to her

parents bedroom and pulled the blankets over her head she lay there shivering when suddenly a

deafening thunderclap exploded and the brilliant lightning flash illuminated the whole house.

The power in the house went dead.

Amy picked up the phone receiver to try and call her parent's cell phone, but the phone line was dead as well.

The following minutes were eerily quiet.

Nothing was heard but the wind blowing in the trees.

...