Seven Days

    by Mallory Quinn

    Chapter 1

    "This week..."

    It was a snowy day in New York. There was military convention at the Carlton Hotel. There was a man named Frank B. Parker, he was a lieutenant. He always liked to have fun. But his boss had specifically told him to stay in the hotel and not go out into town. But Frank B. Pparker wasn’t one to follow that kind of rules… he liked having fun, so he went to see the doctor of their group, doctor Olga Vukavitch. She was a redhead, she had the Russian accent and Frank spent most of his free time hitting on her. But she wouldn’t budge.

    - Olga, I’m going to have fun downtown, you want to come with me? Said Frank

    - Mr. Parker, said Olga, we have to stay in the hotel

    She always called him “Mr. Parker”, even though he wanted her to call him “Frank”; she did it on purpose.

    - What are we, 12? We’re grown ups, for God’s sake! Said Frank

    - Well I’m tired by the trip anyway; you should get some rest…

    - I’m in New York City, Olga, I’m not going to sleep and miss all the fun!

    - Mr. Parker, if you go out, you’re going to get into trouble if they find out…

    - But you’re going to keep your mouth shut right?

    - All right, said Olga

    - You know I love you, don’t you?

    - I’m going to be, Mr. Parker, have fun!

    Frank got out of the hotel room then the hotel to go to a local bar. While he was going to look for a bar, he thought about his life. Not too long ago, he was in a mental institution after being torture in Somalia…and he didn’t tell them any secrets. Then those people from the government came with their secret project… They had a device that could sent one man back in time, seven days… At first he thought it was a joke, but since then he had gone back in time so many times to save the world. The technology was taken from the ship that crashed in Roswell all those years ago. So he lived in the government secret base in Never Never Land in the middle of the desert… So when he got the opportunity to be in a big city like New York, he was taking full advantage of his free time to hit the bars and have fun!

    He found one were he could have a few drink enjoying the company of others customers. He got to the bar and he ordered some Scotch. He drank it eating peanuts. There was another guy there who looked out of it. He was drinking and he was already drunk.

    - Hey buddy, are you all right? Asked Frank

    - Do I look happy? Said the man

    - Well you’re not going to find the solution in alcohol…

    - It makes the pain go away…

    - Yeah, but in the morning you’re going to have the mother of all hangovers! What got you in that state

    - Well… My life was perfect. I just got my big break at the theatre. I was engaged to the most beautiful girl ever…

    - What happened…?

    - During rehearsal 5 days ago, a spotlight almost fell on my head and I was pushed away by one of my colleague, a woman… it hit her leg instead. The damages were too severe so they had to amputate it…

    - Sorry….

    - The only thing is that, now I owe her… her mother pressured me to be with her daughter who had a major crush on me…

    - So being with you is going to somehow ease her pain of being mutilated… though one, buddy.

    - I had to give up the woman I love… the only woman I ever loved…But I just can’t live without her… I cursed that day, five days ago, at 4 pm sharp…

    - You know the time it happened?

    - My watched stopped at that precise moment, when she pushed me out of the way and I fell on the floor…

    - Shouldn’t the insurance take care of your colleague?

    - Yes, but she needs some moral support. She already attempted to kill herself, when she thought I wasn’t going to be with her… my fiancée, actually saved her from jumping off the roof…

    - She’s a good girl…

    - She’s the best …We broke up. I knew it was a mistake from the moment it happened… I felt like my heart was ripped into shreds…I’m in a moral dilemma…

    - I feel for you buddy. What about your career? I remember my work was all I had left when my marriage fell apart…and it helps. Just concentrate on your work…

    - Thanks man, said the young man, I have two tickets for tomorrow’s play… bring your girlfriend…

    He gave Frank the tickets.

    - Thank you…., said Frank

    - Terrence Grandchester… I hope I see you tomorrow…

    - Frank B. Parker, I’ll do my best

    Frank ordered a sandwich for Terrence and for him.

    - You want to share this with me?

    - Sure, why not? Said Terrence, I have a headache from the Scotch…

    - Maybe you should replace that with water instead…

    Frank had gone out to have some fun, and he ended up cheering up some guy he just met. Terrence finished the sandwich.

    - Thanks Frank, I’m going to go home before I start drinking again

    - Bye buddy, said Frank smiling

    Terrence left. The night was still young and Frank was looking around to see if he could get some company. He was attracted by a lovely blond girl sitting by herself. He walked to her…

    - Hi, he said, you want some company?

    - I’m in a crappy mood…, said the girl

    - That’s why you’re alone… I’m alone too… why don’t we keep each other company…

    - Why don’t you cut to the chase, said the girl, you want to have a one night stand with me, right?

    - Well…

    - I’ve never had a one night stand actually, I heard it’s kind of fun…is that true?

    - You want to find out?

    - I want to do something crazy, maybe I’m going to realise that I’ve been dreaming this whole time that everything that happened the last few days didn’t really happen…maybe I’m imagining all this…

    - What happened?

    - I was engaged to be married, but something happened and I had to brake up with him… I had already quit my job in my old town and got one here. I didn’t get to tell him… it was supposed to be a surprise. He doesn’t even know I’m still in town. It’s true what they say: “Don’t start to count your chicks before they hatch”! Now I took only one glass of wine and I feel dizzy… you want to come with me? Take advantage of a drunken girl! She said smiling

    Frank looked at her, in normal time; he would’ve taken advantage of her. But something was stopping him. He wanted to leave, but he looked at her again. It was only a matter of time before some guy take advantage of her…

    “Frank, this is not your problem… walk away…” He said to himself.

    But he couldn’t. She looked so vulnerable…

    - Come with me, he said, what’s you’re name?

    - Candy, she said…

    - Hi Candy, I’m Frank…

    - Hi Frank, said Candy smiling

    Frank took her back to his hotel room and she went straight for the bed, and closed her eyes. He approached her and took her boots off, her coat off…

    - Hey Terry, said Candy smiling

    She pulled him to her and kissed him on the lips. Frank didn’t know what to do. He tried to push her away, but Candy wouldn’t let go… he kissed her and she finally let him go. She fell asleep and she didn’t wake up. Frank slept beside her. He looked at her, she was so pretty and she looked so innocent. He finally fell asleep.

    He was awaken by a knock on the door in the morning. He looked around, he was alone. He heard some noise in the shower. He stood up and went to open the door.

    - Olga, he said with a sleepy voice

    - Mr. Parker, I wanted to see if you would come and have breakfast with me…

    - I’m still a little tired, I’m going to order room service

    - Long night?

    - It’s not what you think…

    The bathroom door opened and Candy came out wearing a robe and with a towel on her head.

    - Oh, said Candy, good morning

    Olga had her mouth opened.

    - I see you’re busy said Olga disappointed, goodbye Mr. Parker!

    - Olga, wait! Said Frank

    But Olga was gone. Candy was drying her hair with the towel.

    - Was that your girlfriend? Said Candy

    - No…

    - Oh, but you like her… I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to cause any trouble…

    - No, no, it’s not your fault, Candy…

    - You know my name… do I know yours?

    - Frank B. Parker

    - Pleased to meet you, Candice White Andrew… how much did I have to drink?

    - You told me only one glass…

    - That’s enough for me, I don’t drink at all…did we…?

    - I wish… but no.

    - You could’ve taken advantage of me… I was drunk… thank you so much.

    - I knew you would’ve regretted it in the morning…

    - You took me with you to protect me, didn’t you? You didn’t want to leave me alone in that bar…

    Candy had tears in her eyes. She thought about everything that had happened to her and she started crying. Frank approached her and hugged her.

    - It’s going to be fine, you’ll see, said Frank

    - Thank you so much Frank. I have to get to work…

    - I’m going to order room service…

    - Can you…? I was sick when I woke up, must’ve been the hangover…

    - How are you feeling now?

    - Still nauseous… but if I eat, I’ll be fine

    Frank ordered room service and he went to take a shower. When he came out Candy was eating breakfast. She smiled at him…

    - I hope you don’t mind I didn’t wait for you, I had to eat, I was nauseous and starving…

    - That’s ok, said Frank smiling…

    Candy finished eating and she got ready to go.

    - My shift starts soon, said Candy, thank you again for taking care of me…

    - You weren’t afraid when you woke up in a stranger’s room?

    - Well, I had my clothes on…

    - Something did happen...

    - What? Asked Candy worried

    - You called me Terry and you kissed me….

    - Oh… I called you “Terry”?

    - And you kissed me…

    - I kissed you… I’m so sorry…

    - Don’t apologise, it was good…

    Candy blushed and smiled.

    - I’m going to go. Thank you again Frank, I’ll see you around…

    - Bye Candy.

    Candy hugged him and kissed him on the lips to thank him and then she left.
    Frank looked at her go. She was so nice, and innocent. She didn’t say much or anything about herself. He looked in his jacket’s pockets and he saw the two Broadway tickets for Romeo and Juliet , that Terrence Grandchester had given him…He had met a man getting drunk from heartbreaking, and a girl getting drunk from heartbreak too. Was it a coincidence?

    “Well I go back in time to fix things… nothing that happens to me is a coincidence…” He said to himself.

    He felt like he had to do something. But he didn’t know what to do…Candy went to work, but she didn’t tell him where she worked… And Terrence… He stopped his line of thinking. Terrence, Terry… was it one and the same person?

    “There must be a connection. With my kind of luck….it can’t be a coincidence! Terry’s Candy must be Terrence Grandchester!” He thought in his head.

    He finally went downstairs to see his colleagues. Olga was ignoring him.     His friend Donovan smiled when he saw him.

    - Hey Frank! Long night? Said Donovan

    - Not in the way you think, Donovan, but yes it was a long night, said Frank, Olga if you can let me explain…

    - Your personal life is none of my business Mr. Parker, said Olga

    - She was in trouble, I was just helping her out. Nothing happened…you have to believe me…

    - Nothing? Said Olga, you didn’t kiss her?

    - She kissed me!

    - Yeah right!

    - What you don’t think women want to kiss me? I am an attractive man…

    - Speak for yourself! Anyway you don’t owe me any explanation, I’m not your girlfriend!

    Olga left. Frank had an exasperated sigh and sad down. Donovan was laughing at him, and Ramsey who was always mean to him was laughing louder.

    **********

    Candy was working at Lenox Hill hospital. She had transferred from St. Joan’s hospital, because she was moving to New York to be with Terry. But everything went wrong. He had been saved by Susanna Marlowe who had lost her leg. She hated Susanna for trying to keep Terry and her apart by lying to her in Chicago, but nobody deserves to lost a part of their body…She left Terry so he could take care of the woman who saved his life and who was madly in love with him too… Candy didn’t even got the chance to tell him that she had transferred from St. Joan’s to Lenox Hill. She wanted to go back to Chicago, but she didn’t want to look unprofessional. She was going to stay in New York for at least 6 months or a year and transfer back or transfer elsewhere altogether. New York was a big city, she could live there without crossing path with Terry or Susanna. She thought about what she did the night before. Going to a bar and drinking… and Frank B. Parker, who took her from the bar so no one would take advantage of her… How nice of him! He didn’t know her from Adam! And she kissed him calling him Terry…

    “Oh my God! I'm lucky it was Frank a decent guy… what was I thinking? Drinking? And I still feel nauseous…” She said to herself

    She went back to work to keep her mind busy. At least when she was working, she wasn’t thinking about what happened to her. She had found a hotel, after taking her stuff from Terry’s apartment and she took her stuff. She went to the Andrew apartment on Madison and 80th Street. Lenox Hill wasn’t that far, so she walked to work most of the time, in the snow. It had only been 3 days…She had given her blood, for some routine test, since she was a new staff member. She was going to get the results later that day.

    Terrence Grandchester was in his apartment getting ready to go to the theatre. He had to go to Roosevelt Hospital to see Susanna… He was feeling lousy, guilt ridden. He wished she was there with him, they should’ve found a solution together…But she went back to Chicago… He felt like his heart had been ripped apart and left with Candy…Life had suddenly no meaning at all for him…He wanted to drink, but that was not the solution. Because at the end of the day, he was still miserable… He got to the hospital. Susanna was there with her mother.

    - Terry, she said smiling, I’m so happy to see you!

    - Susanna, how was your night?

    - Fine, she said smiling

    Mrs. Marlowe was looking at Terry. He wasn’t even pretending to be nice to her daughter.

    - You could try and smile, you know? She told Terry, she did save your life

    - Why? Said Terry, why should I smile when I don’t feel like it?

    - Mom, said Susanna, don’t start, leave him alone!

    Mrs. Marlowe shook her head. Her daughter was happy, Terry was miserable…

    **********

    The world continued turning, despite people’s misery. Some people blamed the Americans for all the sins of the world. Some people’s idea of punishing the all powerful Americans was to bomb them… So some groups, to make a statement decided it was time to get the attention of the world.

    The day was continuing when all of a sudden a series of explosions were heard. The Met Life building, formerly known as the Pan Am Building was hit with a series of explosions. The Empire State Building, on of the first sky scrappers of Manhattan was also hit. The statue of Liberty, a present France gave to America, was also hit… It was chaos everywhere. Hospitals were packed with wounded, but they were also a few explosions at the hospitals to cripple them too.

    Candy was in the children’s ward when the explosion started. It was like the whole city was just one big bomb… She took cover with the children, most of them were screaming and crying like everybody else in the city. There was rubbles everywhere, glass everywhere…

    Terry was at Roosevelt hospital with Susanna when there was an explosion in the room.. he didn’t have time to react, everything was collapsing around him. He tried to get to Susanna, but he couldn’t, he was hit with part of the ceiling collapsing on him…

    Frank and his colleague were still at their hotel and they heard everything that was happening around them, powerless, they would only wait and until everything was over to go and help. The police, ambulances, the firefighters were all over the place. The number of victims kept climbing.

    Frank went to see his boss Talmage.

    - Sir, any word on what we should do? Asked Frank, backstep?

    - We’re still investigating Frank, we have to have the more facts possible so you can go back and warn us…

    - All right sir…

    - The French President was visiting an hospital here in New York and he died, said Talmage…

    - So we have the green light for backstep

    - Not until we get all the fact to stop this terrorist attack…

    The bombing was claimed by a group of terrorist, who explained how easy it was for them to plan everything in a few days… It didn’t take long for the secret service and the special force to figure out what had happened. Frank and his team, when back to Never Never Land, for operation backstep….

    **********

    Terry was trapped in the rubbles and he looked around, he saw Susanna crushed by the ceiling on her bed…

    - Susanna? Said Terry weakly, can you hear me? Susanna!!!!

    There was no answer. She was gone. Terry felt even worst. She was in the hospital because she had saved his life… and now she was gone, just like that! Some firefighters came to get Terry out.

    - My friend is on her bed, said Terry, how is she?

    - I’m so sorry sir, said the firefighter, there’s nothing we could’ve done…

    - Oh my God! No! Susanna!!!! Cried Terry

    - It’s going to be ok, sir…you have to calm down…

    - What about her mother?

    - She’s non responsive, said the firefighter

    - Oh my God! Said Terry upset!

    He didn’t like his situation, but he would’ve never wished that kind of end for Susanna and her mother…

    - The mother has a weak pulse…

    - Thank God! Said Terry half relieved

    Susanna was dead. Susanna, who had saved his life, was no more…

    **********

    Candy was hurt and the some of the children were also hurt. Everything was crazy. Some people were wounded, some were dead… it was desolation all over… Candy felt a sharp pain in her belly, then she was bleeding… some of her colleague took her to take care of her. The doctor took a look at her…

    - Doctor, said Candy, what wrong with me…?

    - I’m so sorry, you just miscarried…, said the doctor

    - Miscarried? I was pregnant? Said Candy with tears in her eyes, oh my God!!! NO! My baby!

    Candy was crying. Like life wasn’t cruel enough to her! She lost a baby she didn’t even know existed…

    “I drank last night! Oh… the nausea in the morning… oh my God! How could I have been so stupid and careless???!!” she said to herself.

    - Why? Said Candy out loud, why did all this had to happen??? Why all the bad luck??? Those terrorists they attack us the innocents? Now I lost my innocent little angel!!!

    Everybody was sad crappy, crying, cursing, in a very bad mood…

    **********

    In Chicago, Albert had heard about the bombing and he decided to go to New York to see Candy. Annie, Patty, Archie and Alistair tagged along. They wanted to see for themselves that Candy was alive. In fact they hadn’t heard from her at all and all the cell phones were dead in New York, so were the phone lines…

    Albert knew were Candy worked; he had helped her with her transfer…. They finally found her and they were ecstatic. Candy hugged them one by one, she couldn’t stop crying…

    - It’s so good to see you all she said crying…

    - I’m taking you to Chicago, said Albert; you can’t stay here alone…

    - Where is Terry?? Asked Annie

    - Yeah, said Patty, he should’ve been with you

    - We … broke up, said Candy sadly

    - What??? Said Archie, the bastard! How could he do that to you???

    - He had no choice, said Candy, but we’ll talk about that later, I can’t leave until I know he’s fine…

    - I’ll have people looking for him, where does he live? Said Albert

    - Well I think he might be at Roosevelt Hospital..., said Candy

    - Roosevelt Hospital? Said Annie, why?

    Albert got out and he went to contact his people with his satellite phone. An hour later, they got the news that Terry was fine.

    - What about Susanna? Said Candy

    - Susanna? Said Patty

    - They said he was visiting a young woman who was crushed by the ceiling during the bombing….

    - Oh my God! Said Candy horrified, Susana is dead? No!!! Poor Terry!

    - Poor Terry? He was with Susanna? Said Archie, what the hell is going on Candy?!!

    Candy finally told them what had happened with Terry and Susanna, why they had to break up.

    - Oh my God, Candy! Said Annie hugging her

    - Why didn’t you come back? Asked Archie

    - Because I’ve already transferred here, I didn’t want to abandon my work because of personal reasons. People break up every day…

    - Candy…, said Annie in tears

    - I’m not going to leave Albert, I’m staying here, Susanna is dead, Terry is going to need my support…

    - Candy are you sure? Asked Patty

    - Yes…, said Candy with tears in her eyes…

    Candy freed the hospital bed for more serious patients. She went to Roosevelt Hospital with her friends to see Terry. She found him with a cast on his right leg and a sling on his left arm. He was surprised to see her.

    - Candy? What are you doing here? You came to New York to see me?

    - I never left, she said with tears in her eyes…

    - What??

    - I had asked for a transfer to Lenox Hill…it was supposed to be a surprised after the premiere…

    Terry looked at her with so much love.

    - You stayed anyway? Why? He asked

    - Well I just didn’t want to look unprofessional and run away, I wanted to wait six month and transfer back, or not…

    - You were going to stay in New York and avoid me? I’m so sorry Candy for everything

    - I’m sorry for Susanna, I heard she didn’t make it, said Candy

    Albert took the others outside to let them talk.

    - How are you? Asked Terry, were you hurt in the explosions? Was your hospital hit?

    - Yes, said Candy… I…

    - You what?

    - I miscarried, said Candy crying…

    Terry looked at her surprised.

    - You were pregnant?

    - I didn’t know about it, now I lost our baby…, she said crying, I didn’t know and now it’s gone

    Terry took his free arm and pulled her on him. He was crying too.

    - Why all the bad luck Terry? Why couldn’t we be happy like everybody?

    - It’s going to be ok, Freckles. We’ll start over…

    - Our baby is dead, said Candy crying

    Candy’s friends came in to support them. A similar scene was happening more or less in every hospital rooms of New York… Those terrorist wanted to make a point, and in the process, they ruined the lives of so many people…

    Chapter 2