Another Timeline Without You

Chapter 4

4

She was finally back in the comfort of her home and bed. Her bed sheets in languid lavender, her favorite color. She missed the eucalyptus scent of her room, vastly different from the rubbing alcohol back in her hospital room.

Luckily for Penny, she didn't sustain many injuries. Just a slightly fractured leg, but nothing too serious that would've caused her permanent damage. At least they let me stay at home for the rest of my recovery, she told herself.

She couldn't be more thankful for her best friend, Lyn, who stayed by her side throughout the whole week that she was unconscious. She was glad to know that someone really did care for her, even if it was only platonic.

Platonic love was a funny topic to Penny. In the past, she'd always been told by older folks that she needed to find someone who would love her for a long time, but of course, they just wanted to play 'matchmaker', making her talk to their sons.

In her eyes, love was defined as 'someone who you marry in the future and will stay by your side', but love is so much more than that, and she sees it now.

Love for a partner is so vastly different than the love for a friend. There's something about platonic love that is just so delicate, yet utterly precious to the human heart.

They theorize that the human brain stays awake and replays its' best memories for seven minutes to try and keep a dying person alive. Von is a given memory. But aside from him, Lyn, Penny's bestest friend, will always be a part of seven minutes. I suppose you want to know who's mine? No? Well, alright then, suit yourself.

Penny would go through her day normally, except for a few certain thoughts about life, death, and love. She didn't know why she was overthinking this topic too much, and it was making her slightly anxious. Why did she, so suddenly, have the will to live her 'miserable' life? Was it really all that miserable in the first place? Hmm...No, not really.

As she was re-reading one of her favorite novels, she received a message on her phone. She carefully picked it up and checked. Hope you're doing okay, Pen. I'll try to buy you your favorite cookies, haha. I'll be over in a while. See you! A cute little message from Lyn. Yet another reason for her to be a part of Penny's seven minutes.

She responded with a short but sincere thank you, wanting to thank Lyn properly in person. After all, it'd be the least she could do to thank her best friend.

About an hour after Lyn told Penny she'd come by, a knock was heard on her door. Who could it be? It would turn out to be the mailman, which is unusual, as Penny wasn't expecting anyone other than Lyn to come by.

Miss Penny Patterson? He had asked. Penny nodded slightly and answered with a quick 'yes'.

He handed her an envelope containing a letter, telling her it was sent anonymously, and that they didn't know who wrote or gave it. Strange, she thought. Perhaps it was a little prank from Lyn or something, sending her a letter before she arrives with the cookies Penny craved.

Looking at the envelope, Penny looked left and right to see if anyone was around, but to her dismay, not a single soul could be felt, so she went back into the house.

The moment she closed her door, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She walked into the living room, plopped herself on her burgundy sofa, and started to open the envelope.

To Ms. Penny Arlande Patterson,

You have truly lived your lives in misery, have you not? Your days, filled with sorrow for a certain beloved, a certain love.. A certain heart. But someone out there knows what you wish for. Someone out there knows what your heart yearns to love again. Mr. Von wishes for you as well, but know that a simple call would not make the cut.

If you wish to see him again, meet us at Golden Gates Park this Saturday, at 11:30 P.M.

Sincerely, [REDACTED]

Penny's heart raced faster with every word. Von? Von is here? Her thoughts were a mess, her breathing, erratic. Golden Gates Park...That place has a lot of rumors around it, right? Why there? Do these people know something about the rumors? But before she could come up with more theories, the doorbell rang through the hall of the entryway of her home.

She hurriedly answered the door, and it was revealed to be Lyn, with a bright smile and a box of cookies in her hands.

They're vanilla too, definitely your favorite, Lyn excitedly exclaimed. Penny, however, was still slightly shaken from the letter, but she shook it off and smiled at Lyn, letting her pass through the already open door.

She needed more. She needed to find out more.