Inside the black murky depths of the tunnel, Luke found himself shaking violently. He began gulping for air, and tears streamed down his face as he looked his crew, who had climbed out of the cab to look him down.

"I… I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Hey you'll be alright." His driver stated kindly. Gently extending a hand towards his engine, he wiped away Luke's tears, patting his cheek as he withdrew carefully.

The young engine yawned. He was really very tired. After all, he had woken up at dawn and got here really early- not to mention that he had had nightmares as well. He now yearned for a good sleep.

Sleep….

That was the last thing he could remember.

…

Some hours later, Luke woke up feeling much better. His crew were ready to start, and his fire was burning nicely. With a loud yawn Luke chuffed out of the tunnel to stretch his wheels. The sun felt warm on his face as he rolled under the arch shaped entrance to the tunnel.

But the sight he was met with gave him a fright.

The same engine who had greeted him earlier was there- as well as a dark green engine with an odd shaped funnel. They were both talking in hushed tones.

"Well, there's been no sign of him so far, Rheneas." The green one said. "Besides, I thought he wasn't supposed to arrive until this afternoon!"

"Well, I saw him Peter Sam." Replied the other "He just looked at me and darted away. Something's up."

"Well maybe he doesn't want to talk to anyone." The green engine suggested.

Luke glanced at the two engines, ready to dart away again. He felt uncomfortable hearing that he was being talked about. He could still remember how he had sped away from the red - orange engine. But in his defence, he hadn't been near an engine since the yellow one who travelled with him to Sodor- and look what happened to him.

"Is that him?" The dark green engine asked on seeing a glimpse of apple green in the tunnel.

The little green engine gave a large gasp of fright and tried to flee.

"Wait!" The dark green engine called after him. "There's no need to run away!"

Luke paused abruptly. He might as well hear those two out. Plus, if he was going to work here, he needed to get along with everyone. Hence his decision to say sorry to… Rheneas? Was that his name?

"He…hello." He stammered.

"Hello!" replied the other two, in chorus.

"I… I'm sorry for hiding." He blurted. "Also, I'm sorry for running away like I did."

"I forgive you." Rheneas replied. "Who are you?" He added curiously.

"Luke." He murmured in reply.

"Well, I'm Rheneas, and this is my friend, Peter Sam."

"Hello Luke!" Peeped Peter Sam happily. "Welcome to the Blue Mountain Quarry."

"Oh- um, thank you," Replied Luke, with uncertainty in his voice. He could tell these were nice, kind engines- but he doubted that even they would want to be friends with him after he told them what had happened with the yellow engine.

Of course, he wasn't ready to open up yet, but the reactions they might give once he was ready to tell them what had happened were less than pleasant to imagine.

"Hey, don't cry, Luke." Peter Sam chuffed gently. Luke hadn't realised the tears had started flowing until the older engine had said, and he felt exposed, vulnerable.

"We know you're scared, but you'll fit in easily once you meet the others." Rheneas added.

Luke sniffed. "You think so?" he asked innocently.

"Yes!" smiled Rheneas. "How about we introduce you to Skarloey and the others later?"

In spite of himself, Luke felt a huge smile spread across his face.

"I'd like that." He said, simply.

The strange thing was, despite his insecurity and doubt, that statement had been sincere.