Within the dawn shining her lovely face on the Island of Sodor, a small green engine stole away from the Sodor Steamworks at Crovan's Gate. He was determined to get away from what he had done. But try as he might, he could still hear the dreaded sound that had crept up on him in his dreams and could still see the face of that helpless engine as he plunged down.
He had committed a horrible deed, and the stranger was going to hell for him- no, because of him.
"Alright Luke?" called his driver.
Luke jumped.
"Yes I'm… I'm fine, thanks." He replied.
But he wasn't.
"We should be at the Blue Mountain Quarry within the next hour or so." Announced the fireman, looking at the map they had been given. Like Luke, they were new to Sodor, so they had no idea where they were going.
At last, piercing the sky up ahead was mountains.
"We've made it!" The crew exclaimed jubilantly.
Poor Luke felt frightened. Not yet twenty four hours ago, he had been ecstatic with excitement over his dream finally coming true, but now, all he wanted to do was hide.
However, he did long to be really useful again, as he hadn't worked with trucks in a long while.
Feeling a bit bolder, he entered the quarry.
What he hadn't expected was that the engines would be up so early.
Four little engines scurried about the place like insects, hauling trucks of slate behind him. Up ahead, two machines, an incline and a crane were lifting stone.
Luke felt the last of his confidence curl up inside him. He emitted a tiny but audible whimper.
"Easy, boy." His driver coaxed, patting his side gently.
"Hello there! You must be the new engine."
Luke yelped at the voice and made a beeline for a nearby tunnel.
"Never mind, Rheneas," said his driver. "He's probably just a bit shy."
"Well, what sort of engine does that when they're shy- normally they'd be quite quiet," Quipped Rheneas, frowning in concern. The old engine was sure something was bothering the new arrival. He could tell.
But what was it that made this new arrival so jittery?