This is something I've had in the back of my mind for a while. I know I haven't posted much in-like 3/4 months and sorry to anyone who actually happened to enjoy these things. But I'll try to get at least 3 chapters out for this. This is based of of Sketchy Skulls/BlueBerry Pies Thomas and Friends Humanized AU called 'Engines', just search that on Tumblr and you'll find it. Basically, there was an experiment done to the engines to make them human. I won't say anything else.

Darkness, that was it. As cliche as it sounded; there were no walls, no roof and not even a ceiling. He just floated there, in the void. Then a sharp pain raged through his body as a horrible feeling took place. It was as if they were being stuffed into a cage, forcefully and painfully. It felt terrible, but there was something worse. Places, people, memories, all being stripped from his mind. He tried to lunge out and hold them close but he couldn't. Something was tethering him onto something. He tried to fight it but with every movement, every struggle made the pain intensified a hundredfold. So he tried to keep the only memories that weren't washed away.

'I will do it, I will do it, I will do it."

Two scientist were standing in what appeared to be some sort of laboratory. It was constructed out of dull concrete with thin windows close to the ceiling. At the entrance were double mechanical doors with a faded light pouring through. There were several tables pushed to the side, most were barren but some had strange papers with pictures of living machines all stamped out with bold red letter that said 'DECEASED'.

The men were packing the documents into large, worn, leather suitcases that were already overflowing with papers. In front of them were several test tubes. Inside were what appeared to be people, but there skin was a pale gray and they each had a number tattooed on there arms in black ink. 2, 3 ,4, 7 and 8. There were heart monitors attached to each of them but they were all switched off, except for the one with the number 2 person inside.

"Are you sure they can't be recovered?" A young man, roughly in his mid 20's asked. "One of them still shows conscious brain activity."

"These experiments were a fool's errand." said a man who was a few decades older. He stuffed another document into his suitcase.

'RING' 'RING'

"I got it." The elder scientist walked over to the old phone hanging close to the door. "Yes sir? What! Of course sir, we've cleared out the lab. No. Very well, good night sir."

"What'd the Controler say?" The younger man asked.

"We're leaving, now." He replied hastily.

"But,"

"NOW."

Reluctantly, the man shambled over to the test tube. With a last glance to see the old man already walking out the door he shut down the life support. And rushed out the door. Yet, at the same moment bubbles began to float from the floating figures breathing mask. Minutes after his eyes burst open.

'Hmm, what, where am I? Where is this? Am I floating, but why am I in water? Who put me here?'

Question after question flooded his brain as he struggled to see through the fluid. He could make out the fuzzy shapes of the outside and a light at the back of the room but that was all. He began to move but was surprised by the felling of individual parts.

Wait, I have arms? And legs? Am I supposed to have legs? Don't I ha-

Before he could continue his thoughts images began to flash across his mind. Vague places, the sounds of the night , the smell of something mechanical, then a loud thundering. His new limbs began to spasm and bang against the glass, creating cracks and fissures. Through a burst of strength he cracked open the tube and stumbled onto the concrete floor. He lay there twitching until he recovered from the shock.

Pain, pain, why is there so much pain...

The seizure was both mentally and physically exhausting for him but he had enough energy to remain conscious. As he refilled his lungs he saw the other figures in the glass. He was struck with a strong feeling of sadness and longing, as well as a mild headache. He looked around the laboratory, until he looked at the shattered remains of the tube. It was streaked with fluid and the remaining glass was cracked and jagged. But one section was clear enough to give him a reflection. An when he saw it, it only added to the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Looking back at him was the image of a man around his early 30's. His hair was ebony black and was messy and dripping wet. His eyes were a similar colour and his skin was slate gray. He tore his gaze away from the reflection, breath rapid.

That was me? But am I supposed to look like that. No, I don't think so. So what am I?

He forced his body to sit up but it felt unnatural. The only way he knew what the position was, felt more like a repeated memory than instinct. He wiped away the hair that dripped down in front of his eyes.

I am a Stranger in a Strange land. Or at least, a world not meant for me.