I paced around, running my hand through some odd strands of material that was on my head. Ten minutes? Until what? Was I on a mission? What was I supposed to do? 

"Excuse me..." A higher, more shy voice spoke. I stopped in my tracks, turning around and looking down at the small creature that stared at me with small brown pigtails and big, curious blue eyes. I narrowed my eyes, the small one striking something inside my head. 

A flash caused me to jump backwards, falling on my back. I saw images - thousands at once, and in the span of a second I knew. I knew who this girl was. I knew who I was. And I knew why I was here. 

"Cassandra..." The name of such familiarity rolled off my tongue like I'd said it many times before. 

"Daddy!" The girl jumped into my lap, tears flowing from her eyes. "Why did you go away, Daddy? We buried you in the ground! Mommy said you couldn't come back!" she clung to my snow-white shirt tightly. I followed my instincts and wrapped my arms around her, a heavy feeling in my chest. 

"Shh, it's okay, baby doll. Daddy's here. It's all right now." I rocked her back and forth, her sobs getting quieter each time I did. 

Five minutes remaining. The same booming voice from before thundered in my ears, remaining as monotone as ever. I gulped down the lump in my throat, realizing what I had to do. 

"Cassandra," she looked at me. "Daddy needs to go again, okay? I can't stay." 

Her face sank into a gut-wrenching sadness that made something inside of me throb. "You can't leave, Daddy! You just got back..." 

"I know, I know," I felt moisture in my eyes. "I came to say a proper goodbye. I couldn't leave you like that." An image of Cassandra clinging to a woman's black skirt with tears flowing down her face surfaced in my head. 

"B-But-" 

"No buts. I have to go, sweet pea. There's nothing I can do about it." 

"Cassandra!" A woman called. "Where are you?!" she ran up to Cassandra, who was still wrapped in my arms. 

"Where have you been, young lady?! I was worried sick about you!" she put her hands on her hips. "We're going home, now." 

"But mom! Daddy's here!" she clung to my hand, her small yet firm grip refusing to let go. 

"Hush, that's impossible. Sir, if you would please-" she stopped herself from uttering another word as she looked into my eyes, an expression of amazement and disbelief crossing upon her features. Long, wispy black hair that had been tied in what was now a rather loose ponytail showed off her pointy chin, full cheeks, and blue eyes. Much like her mother, Cassandra resembled the features of her mother, but had a more chubby look to her face, a more crooked nose, and dirty blonde hair. My hair. 

"Jeff..." she trailed off, words failing her. 

"Clarice." Her name brought a warm feeling to my chest. 

Three minutes remaining. I felt myself go pale. My time was almost out! I had to do something, say something, before I never got the chance to again. 

"But you're..." Clarice walked closer to me. 

"Dead, I know. I remember. Now, I'm running out of time, I need to talk to you, and Cassandra-" 

"Can't you come home?" My wife gazed at me in confusion. I shook my head sadly. "I',m going to pass on in-" 

"...Two minutes."

"That's not enough time!" she exclaimed. "There's so much to explain...to...to ask, to..." 

"Clarice," I grabbed her shoulders firmly. "I need this time to say goodbye." 

Her face dropped. She understood. 

"I love you." I said, bringing my face closer to hers. We kissed, for what I knew to be the last time. 

"Cassandra," I knelt down to her. 

"Y-Yes, Daddy?" she was trying not to cry, but evidently that plan had failed.

"I need you to do something for me. Something very important I know only you can do." I shifted my weight to my right knee. 

"O-okay..." she sniffed. 

"Please, be strong. Remember how to have fun again. You'll always be my little girl." I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as she sobbed again, pulling me into a hug. Clarice knelt down as well, her warm embrace giving me a new life. 

Where had all of the time gone? All those minutes down to seconds in what seemed like an instant. 

But I was lucky enough to find my family again. 

And say goodbye. 

"Clarice, Cassandra," I felt I needed to have a last word.

Clarice gazed at me with grim eyes, Cassandra with endless tears. 

"I love you." 

"Goodbye."

Then I felt like something had grabbed me around the waist, and was pulling me away from my daughter and wife. I welcomed it, my time here done. Clarice held Cassandra in her arms, watching as I faded away, to somewhere where there was more light. 

My eyes were finally open. I could see them from the farthest mile, the highest cliff. No matter how far away I was from them, I always lingered beside them, watching as my baby girl grew and grew, until she had children of her own, one of which stared at me since the moment he was born. Later I was able to talk with my grandson, whom now faced his own trial of life: high school. Every day, he told me about the latest fiasco with his friends, and how he couldn't wait until he started Art the next semester. 

Clarice has joined me as well, as we watch over the family. Never interfering, but always proud to glimpse the sight of how they all grew. At last, I was complete.