Mistaken Identity

Story by Bally on SoFurry

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I wrote this story for the Further Confusion 2012 convention book. The theme that year was "The Infurmary". The version in the book is a grammatical mess, so I took this opportunity to fix everything.


It was dark outside during the aftermath of a party. An arctic fox named Harold was riding home from the party with his best friend, a Siberian husky named David. Both of them were calm while they discussed what had happened there. "You know, parties like that should come around more often," said David. "Think about it: friends, music, people doing stupid things. That's what it's about."

"Actually, I thought it was about getting together and seeing who's more popular. Maybe even bob for apples if people still do that."

"I think that was popular some twenty years ago. It's not that exciting anymore." said David before he noticed an oncoming car driving recklessly. He honked his horn and shouted "Get out of my way!"

It didn't work. Both cars collided head-on, leaving David unconscious and Harold disoriented. He climbed out of the wreckage, failing to keep his balance. Another driver heard the accident and called for an ambulance.

A few minutes later, the paramedics arrived. Harold was still dizzy, but he could hear the sirens. He rested on the ground, breathing heavily and staying clear of the road. A paramedic noticed him and asked if he was all right.

"Yes, but dizzy." he responded.

"Can you stand up, sir?" asked the paramedic.

Harold tried to get on his feet but couldn't. He was promptly loaded into an ambulance, unaware of his friend's fate.

***

Harold woke up in a hospital bed. It was daylight, indicating that he had slept through the night. He called out to a passing nurse. An old St. Bernard dog came into the room. "Hello, Mr...." he asked while waiting for his name. "Harold. Harold Larson."

"Well, Mr. Larson, you are a lucky fox. My name is Leonard Prosky. I will be your nurse during your stay." he said in a slow, somewhat low voice. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

"Well, Mr. Prosky, all I remember is feeling really dizzy. I tried to get off the road. A paramedic loaded me onto an ambulance and after that, I passed out."

"So this was a car accident, I heard?"

"Yes. David and I were coming home from a party..."

He paused and pasped. "David! Is he all right?!"

"Was he the one you were in the car with?"

"Yes. Have you seen him? He a Siberian husky with grey fur and a white belly."

"I did hear about a husky being involved. Two of them if I remember correctly. Both of them were somewhere in their mid twenties. You said one of them was David? I'll see if he is available for visiting."

Mr. Prosky left the room.

***

Harold tried to remember what he saw that night. There was a fast moving car and a sudden force throwing his head forward, bouncing it off the airbag and hitting it on the headrest. He could see very little detail in the wreckage. Only two cars and an unconscious body. As time passed, he became more worried about David. Mr. Prosky showed up again. "Your friend is ready for you. Can you walk?" he asked.

Harold got out of this bed. He put his feet on the ground and stood up. Then he followed Mr. Prosky down the halls of the hospital complex. When they reached the room, Harold nervously headed in. The image in his eyes brought total shock to him. His best friend was in an intensive care unit. "I'm sorry you had to see this." said Mr. Prosky. Harold slowly walked toward the unit, looking deeply at his motionless friend. The beeping of the heart monitor was slow and steady. It was clear that he was in a coma.

"Is there anything you want to say to him?" asked Mr. Prosky.

"No. He wouldn't be able to hear me."

"Then we shouldn't bother him. I'll take you back to your room."

***

Harold got back to his room and lied on his bed. He watched television to help the time pass, but It wasn't nearly as exciting as the party. He remembered the loud music and attractive women, but most of all he remembered his friend.

The next day, he got a sad announcement from Mr. Prosky. "I'm afraid there is little we can do to save your friend. Would you like to see him?"

"Yes. I want to see him."

They returned to the room so Harold coulse see him again. A few tears came out of his eyes as he slowly gazed at his motionless body. Another doctor came in. "Here we go. This is Martin Collins." he said.

Harold was confused. "Martin Collins? I thought this was David Leroy."

"There was a mix up. We thought this was Mr. Leroy, but it's not."

"Then where is Mr. Leroy?"

"He's in room B12. Come on. I'll take you there."

***

When they arrived at the room, they could see David watching television. Harold walked up to him and asked if he was all right. "It was just a concussion. I still remember you, Harold."

"I thought you were a goner. Someone who looks just like you got mixed up."

"It was Collins." said the doctor. "He was driving under the influence and ended up in the accident with you."

"Well at least everything is all right for you and your friend." said Mr. Prosky.

"That was quite a shock to you, wasn't it?" asked David."Yet, it was." answered Harold. "But I'm glad that it wasn't intended. Once you heal up, we can both go home."