Chapter 4 – The Hospital, Part Two
Nick's mind was awash with a multitude of various images, some partial, some complete, but all moving too fast for him to make any sense out of it. Sounds too seemed to register but not as if he was hearing them first hand, almost as if they were memories of sound. Smell and taste were completely missing, as if he were just a ball of energy floating in space.
There was a kind of feeling that there was something happening but he couldn't make out what it was. He felt as if he were on a raft in a rushing river, being tossed back and forth, spinning, images flashing.
"You could be a country music star!"
Who said that? It sounded familiar, it was someone he knew, but who? Female, it sounded female. Dylan then tried to understand the concept of 'female'. After an indeterminate time he understood. He was 'male', the voice was 'female'. Soon, the other images and impressions began to make sense. He was remembering. The job offer. Graduation. The confrontation and heated discussion with Allison, his girlfriend. Correction, his ex girlfriend, Alexis. The one that wanted him to follow her dreams and not his own. The one who cheated on him. The road trip and coming to terms with what happened. The portal, OH DEAR GODS! THE PORTAL!
Darkness. Silence. A sensation of floating.
"Ose... Under.. dent... pital... squeeze my paw." A different female voice.
Paw? Dylan didn't understand. Did she mean hand? Or did he just hear the word 'paw'? Did he have paws? No matter. Dylan tried to do as the voice asked, at least so that they knew he was aware. The problem was the idea of having a body. He didn't feel like he had one even though he was sure that he did. He just needed to connect with it.
The mental effort was tremendous. Stretching out his sensed, somehow magnifying them, he began to feel... something. Something in his hand. Paw? Things came quickly to him after that. The bed beneath him, the sound of his breathing, lungs taking in air. Smell, some kind of antiseptic.
"Mr. Ambrose, if you can understand me, please squeeze my paw." This time she was rewarded with a slight squeeze. "Good Mr. Ambrose! Your doctor has been notified and will be here shortly. Take it slow. If you're in any pain, squeeze my paw once for yes, twice for no."
It took some effort, but he managed to squeeze the ladies paw twice. Of course he had no pain. He was just starting to feel sensations. He felt his paw placed on the cover next to his side and then patted. That felt comforting and he felt, emotionally at least, better.
He started registering light through his eyelids, very faint at first but slowly brighter. Dylan then realized he was understanding the concept of time.
Now that he knew he had a body, he began trying it out, getting it to move. It was a little frustrating since it didn't seem to want to cooperate. Dylan began to concentrate as hard as he could, forcing his reluctant body to move.
Dylan heard a door open and then a male voice saying "Mr. Ambrose! You had us worried for a bit! I'm Dr. Rushing, your physician." Dylan heard his two nurses explaining what had happened with him so far. Really? He thought.
"Good. I'm glad you're feeling much better Mr. Ambrose. Mr. Ambrose, I need you to open your eyes so I can check your pupil response okay?"
Dylan tried, but it was very difficult. Such a small thing to ask, but so hard to comply with. "I'm trying, but it's just so hard!"
"That's okay Mr. Ambrose, we don't have to do that right now if it's too difficult."
No! I'm going to do this! Dylan gathered all his strength, mental and physical, and slowly he could see the light getting brighter. He growled out his determination, his chest rumbling. Slowly his eyes opened. His sight was a little blurry at first, but he could make out 3 shapes around him. One on his right and two on his left. After blinking a few times his vision cleared and what he saw made him freeze in shock.
A Jaguar on it's hind legs, wearing a lab coat. A jaguar! Dylan then did what any other person would at that point and screamed. Jerking his head to the left, he saw a grey wolf and a goat in scrubs. He screamed again just before he felt extremely light headed and everything went dark.
When Dylan had screamed, Dr. Rushing was shocked and took a step back. Then the patient looked to his nurses and screamed again before his eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out.
Wendy looked at the expressions on her colleagues faces, positive that her own reflected the same as she said "What the fudge?"
oooOOOooo
Nick and Judy had woken up just after eight later that night. Much refreshed, the called and had whatever information had been found sent over to their apartment. Nick let Judy read the case file first while he made supper. He felt like stir fry tonight. It didn't take long and all he had to do was add chicken to his portion. Since there hadn't been a lot of time, less than eighteen hours actually, there wasn't a lot of information they didn't already know.
Judy walked up to Nick and tapped him on the shoulder with the file to get his attention. Nick thanked her and kissed her lovingly prior to him sitting down at the table and reading the file himself. Judy finished up the stir fry, plated it, and placed it on the table before grabbing a Barks for herself and her mate.
Both were thoughtful as they ate, going over what they had learned so far in their heads. Nick finished his mouthful and said "I seem to remember some very old stories I read years ago about a land inhabited by lizard people that had invaded back in 347."
Judy shook her head, swallowed, and then replied "I've never heard of that happening."
Nick, being Nick, smirked and said "I'd be surprised if you had. It's not something that most people like to talk about, especially in Bunnyburrow. It's said that there was a war that lasted two and a half years and, if the reports are true, they didn't keep prisoners... they ate them."
Judy put her fork down, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.
Nick's face fell "I'm sorry Baby."
Judy waved it off. "It's no worse that what happened before everyone figured out they could get along here in Zootopia."
Nick nodded, still feeling bad for being a bit insensitive. "That is what began the idea of Zootopia. Predator and Prey both had to work together to repel the invasion as the lizards looked at everyone as prey."
Judy sighed. "Well, while what happened was horrible, at least it ended up with us together."
Nick smiled "Yeah, I feel the same way Carrots."
oooOOOooo
At the same time that Nick and Judy were going over the information they had at present, Mayor Fairbreeze was reviewing the exact same info. Her problem was the best way to break it to the people of her city. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her office door just before it was opened by Carl. Following close behind was a rather large beaver.
Carl closed the office door and then looked up at his friend and boss before indicating the beaver beside him "Jillian, this is Doctor Oscar Reinhold. Doctor, this is Mayor Fairbreeze."
Jillian stood up and walked around her desk to where the other two mammals stood while holding out her paw and saying "Doctor Reinhold! A very great pleasure to meet you! I've read your paper on the effects of the Night Howler on the Limbic System of both predator and prey."
Doctor Reinhold's paw was swallowed by the Mayor's as he enthusiastically shook it. "The pleasure is mine Madame Mayor!" Oscar raised his eyebrow and asked "You understood my paper?"
Jillian smiled as released the Doctors paw and stood up. "I didn't understand all of it, but I was able to get the gist of it."
Doctor Reinhold nodded. That was usually what most people got. At least the ones who would read his work.
Jillian motioned at the chairs in front of her desk as she sat back down in her chair. "Doctor Reinhold, we have a bit of a situation here. It may be nothing but, then again, it could be very problematic. We'd like your help in figuring this conundrum out."
Doctor Reinhold, the typical eager beaver, immediately brightened with a large grin on his face and said "I'd be honored to help Madam Mayor! A good puzzle to get the mental fluids flowing!"
Jillian sighed in relief as she pushed the file over to the doctor. "The only thing we ask is that you don't disseminate any information to the public without going through my office first. Carl here will be our go between."
Doctor Reinhold "Understood Madame" as he opened the file and started reading, very fast, what it contained. Jillian and Carl glanced at each other but said nothing. The room was silent but for the occasional "Hmmmmm" that Doctor Reinhold muttered.
Oscar had quickly read the report and then spent most of his time reviewing the photo's taken by both the responding officers and the CSI crew. After a few minutes, without looking up, he stated "There are no records of him arriving through any ports."
"None from any known port, Major or otherwise. If he came ashore it was on a private pier. Any ideas Doctor Reinhold?"
"Call me Oscar dear lady, as we seem to be meshed together in an enigma."
Jillian smiled "And you can call me Jillian, at least in private."
"Well, in answer to previous inquiry, I have several possible theories. Some mundane while others are more, shall we say, on the fringe. I consider your hypothesis to be the most logical one at the moment. I'd like to talk to the officers that responded to the incident. They may have more information I could use, they just may not know what the know. I'd also like to examine the mammal in question."
"Done!" Jillian said forcefully, happy that the issue could be solved soon. She turned to Carl and said "Give him anything he needs. Coordinate with the Hopps and the hospital."
"Will do Boss!" Carl remarked in jest. Jillian smiled back. She couldn't thank the gods enough for Carl.
After the two mammals left, Jillian leaned back into her very comfortable chair and closed her eyes. This strange occurrence had been rather taxing in such a short period of time. Hopefully she'd have enough answers soon before the news organs began their inevitable questioning.
oooOOOooo
Dylan found himself in the middle of an old fashioned square dance. Everyone around him was dressed in typical country clothes; blue jeans, long sleeved shirts, mostly flannel, with almost all males and females wearing cowboy hats. While it seemed a little strange to him that he was the only human amongst all the animals present and dancing, he couldn't place why it mattered. There were cows, pigs, goats, wolves, even a hippo was present and everyone was laughing, drinking, and having fun.
Dylan felt his left hand grabbed as a lithe figure moved in front of him. It was a rather pretty grey wolf with a small oval white patch between her large, brown eyes. "So cowboy, care to give a lady a dance?" She laughed as she started pulling him toward the dance floor.
Smiling, Dylan allowed himself to be led, but the closer they got to the dance floor, the darker it became, the music began to sound muted, and the wolf began to fade away until all was gone, leaving him alone in the middle of the dance floor in a small circle of light before it too was gone.
Dylan groaned as he woke. Looking around he found himself still in a hospital room with the lights turned down low, suggesting it was night. Maybe I drempt waking up before, just like how I drempt the dance. He quickly checked himself out, making sure he had all his appendages and that they seemed to be in working order. No visible wounds, stitches, or bandages. Well, other than the clear tape holding his IV in.
Looking aroundhe noticed a paper cup and a pitcher on an overbed table. He poured himself some water and soothed his dry throat. He looked around, noticing that he seemed to be in a private room, the linen privacy curtain pulled so that the door wasn't visible. I wonder how I rated a private room. I didn't think my insurance paid for that. Not before I start my job anyway. Maybe I can get some answers.
Dylan looked around for the call button and noticed a cable hanging over the side of the bed between the patient rails. With only minimal effort he was able to pull the cord up until the control head was visible. Pressing the call button he waited.
A few short seconds later a calm female voice answered.
"Mr. Ambrose! We're happy you're awake!"
"Um, yeah. Can I talk to someone please? I don't know how I ended up here and I'm freaking out a little."
"Of course Mr. Ambrose, we'll have someone there shortly."
Dylan wasn't sure what their definition of 'shortly' was but it certainly wasn't his. It had been several minutes with no one showing up or even an update. While a patient man, he was about ready to press the call button again when he heard a soft knock on his door just before it opened slightly as indicated by the increased light entering the room from the hallway.
"Mr. Ambrose," a soft male voice called out "I"m Oscar Reinhold, a theoretical scientist, may I come in?"
Well, that's not what usually happens in hospitals. Normally they'd just breeze in with an upbeat attitude to make you feel better. Maybe they do it different here, wherever 'here' is. "Yes, please." Dylan answered as he looked toward the doorway.
"Okay, I'm coming in. Just stay calm, no one here wants to harm you."
Dylan could feel himself get nervous and said, in a shaky voice, "Uh, Doc? You're scaring me."
The doctors soft voice calmly replied "I assure you Mr. Ambrose, that is not my intention."
Dylan locked his eyes in the area of the doorway and watched as the curtains twitched slightly prior to a large brown beaver walking upright slowly came into view. Dylan's eyes widened and he suddenly felt cold all over, his skin prickling. His breathing became quick and shallow. His thoughts, usually very well organized, were flying in every direction.
The beaver looked at him and, with his voice still soft but more insistent said "Mr. Ambrose, you're starting to have a panic attack, you need to calm down. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. In... out... in... out..."
Dylan did as suggested and was able to calm down slightly. At least to getting his thoughts more organized and his breathing more under control. Then he heard the beaver speak again.
"Good Mr. Ambrose, very good. Now, I need you to open your eyes and tell me five things you see."
Dylan opened his eyes and, in a very shakily began answering "I see my hands. I see the bed I'm in. I see the curtain around my bed. I see a blanket. I see a talking beaver."
Dylan noticed as the beaver seemed to smile marginally. "Nothing wrong with your eyesight. Now, I want you to name for me four things you feel."
Calmer now, Dylan was able to modulate his voice so it wasn't so strained. "I feel the sheets covering me, I feel the bed under me, I feel my heartbeat, and I feel the coolness of the air conditioning."
The beaver nodded. "Okay, what are three things you hear?"
"I hear my breathing, I hear talking outside my room, and I hear a talking beaver."
The beaver chuckled, "Indeed Mr. Ambrose. Excellent. How about two things you can smell?"
Dylan could actually smell many things but the two strongest would be "I smell antiseptic, and I smell myself... I need a bath."
This time the beaver, Doctor Reinhold, laughed. "You've kept your sense of humor! Exquisite! Last item sir, what is one thing you can taste?"
Dylan though about it "I'm not sure. I'd guess the closest I could come would be the taste I normally get when I burp on an empty stomach."
Dr. Reinhold nodded, "Yeah, that's always a tough one." He gestured over to the chair against the wall and asked "Mind if I sit down?"
Dylan nodded nervously. He looked closely at the beaver, Dr. Reinhold. While there was no doubt that Reinhold was a beaver, it wasn't exactly like the ones he'd seen at the zoo. The paws had longer, thinner digits, probably making it easier to manipulate items. The eyes were larger and seemed much more expressive. The face area seemed more expressive as well and his lips more limber, allowing for clearer speech.
Moving slowly, Dr. Reinhold moved over to the chair and climbed into it. The chair was rather large for him but he didn't mind. At least he was able to get the patient to respond to him in a positive way.
Dr. Reinhold looked at the mammal in the bed for a moment before leaning forward and speaking. "I understand you have questions, so do we. So how about I start with what we know and what we suspect and then you can fill in the blanks. Does that sound agreeable?"
Dylan nodded. It seemed fair to him.
"Very well" Dr. Reinhold began, "You are in Zootopia General Hospital. You were brought in three days ago in an apparent coma. The night you arrived, two police officers witnessed a bright flash of light while patrolling the Meadowlands. When they investigated, they found you unconscious in your vehicle. Examination of your vehicle and it's contents revealed quite a few abnormalities. First, there is no record of the make or model of your vehicle ever existing. Two, it uses an internal combustion engine which hasn't been used in Zootopia in over fifty years. Three, there is no knowledge of the places mentioned in your paperwork. Four, we have no records or even stories mentioning your type of mammal. And five, the dates on your paperwork indicates the use of a different calendar. The year here in Zootopia is 628, while the earliest date we found for you was 1987."
While Dylan was listening, his mind was already going through the connotations of what the doctor was saying. A geek, Dylan loved reading science fiction and fantasy books as well as movies of the same genre. He remembered the portal, he didn't remember exactly what after he entered said portal, just a weird feeling before he passed out. There were other things he knew or had heard about and the possibilities of what was happening to him grew short very quickly. The two most likely explanations, he had traveled to an entirely new planet, or he had awakened in a different universe. In either case, he had no idea how, or even when he'd be able to get home. And doing it alone made the odds astronomical. He was going to need help and the best way to do that was to work with what he had.
Of course, both possibilities would be moot if he was actually in a coma and dreaming all of this, or he was crazy.
"Now, we know you came from somewhere else, possibly a different continent that hasn't been discovered yet. That is the most logical theory so far, but it doesn't account for the flash of light or how your tire tracks didn't start until a hundred feet from the roadway. Based on the examination of your teeth, we know you're an omnivore."
Dylan looked at the doctor and asked, only partly in jest "So you have no plans to dissect me to find out what makes me tick?" The look the doctor gave him, one of shock and horror, helped settle his frayed nerves by a large amount while the doctors response helped even more "By Coeus of COURSE not! That would be barbaric!"
Dylan looked contrite and said "I'm sorry Doc. I was joking... mostly. I'll explain my side but I as you to keep an open mind and not judge me crazy. Maybe you'll understand after I'm done." Dylan took a deep breath and began.
"I honestly have no idea where I am. I know I don't come from a different continent because, where I'm from, we've explored our entire planet except for most of the ocean depths. We've even explored other planets in our solar system. Now, I could be in a deep coma and just imagining all this but something tells me I'm not."
Dylan looked at the doctor and asked "you said you're a theoretical scientist right?" Dr. Reinhold nodded so Dylan continued "Do you have Multiverse Theory here?" Dr. Reinhold's eyes widened almost comically. Dylan smiled, nodded, then continued "In my world, we, possibly arrogantly, consider ourselves, the Human Race, to be the beings with the highest intelligence in all the animal kingdom. It can be argued that, while there are some animals that can mimic human speech, none have the intelligence or ability to actually converse with us. That is why I was so shocked."
Dylan reached over and poured himself another glass of water before continuing "There is a subculture in my world where people feel that we each have an animal that represents our inner selves. They will even dress up in costumes and meet in groups large and small. For instance, if someone feels their inner animal is a rabbit, will dress up as a rabbit. So, while I'm a bit freaked out about this, I can deal with it.
I mention that because I believe that I've traveled between universes. I was driving my Jeep to a new job after graduating college when I accidentally drove through some sort of energy portal. While I don't remember everything, I do remember feeling... diffuse before seeing a bright light just prior to me passing out."
The silence was thick in the room as both beings pondered the implications.
Dylan cleared his throat before continuing "In my world, there is a segment of our population that postulate the existence of extra-terrestrial aliens. They believe that, about 70 years in our past, a ship of theirs crashed in a desert. They also believe that the government came in and hid all traces of such a craft. There's an area they call Area 51 that no one who's not authorized can visit. All kinds of advanced technology seems to come from there but no one can prove it's due to alien technology.
Dr. Reinhold spoke up "So it's your belief that something the were doing caused this portal to open bringing you here?" Dylan nodded. "Inter-dimensional travel is a hypothesis that has been brought up in some scientific circles, but mostly dismissed as fiction. Yet, here you are."
Dr. Reinhold shifted in his seat before he continued "I think that we'll need to bring in the Mayor and her staff, but I think that, for right now at least, we need to keep those who know the whole truth to a rather small group. If asked, just tell what you know, that you come from somewhere else and can't remember how you got here. Agreed?"
Dylan nodded and just then his stomach growled loudly. Dylan could feel his cheeks heat up as he said "I'm sorry, it's been a while since I've eaten."
"Well, Mr. Ambrose I'll let the nurses know that you're feeling much better, are much calmer, and could use some sustenance."
"I'd appreciate that Doctor Reinhold" Dylan said as he watched as the beaver slid out of the chair and walked out, closing the door behind him. Dylan lay back into his bed trying to consider everything that had happened so far and what he could guess. One thing was for sure, all his plans had taken a rather unplanned detour. Now he just needed to adjust.
A/N: Okay! Done with another installment of The Unplanned Detour. I hope ya'll are enjoying it so far.
Next chapter Dylan will be getting out of the hospital and begin exploring the ins and outs of Zootopia, with a little help from our favorite Fox and Bunny team.
In case anyone is curious, Coeus is the Greek Titan of intellect and inquisitive minds.