AUTHOR'S NOTICE PLEASE READ FIRST:
This story is NOT a copy/Ripoff/whatever to Kudo Yuichi's story, 'Keeping Her Close'! I told them my idea of this story to see if there are any similarities to their story and they said no. The only minor similarity is the relationships between the engines and the girl in this story, but it will be different from 'Keeping Her Close.'
So I would appreciate not getting reviews, stating how I stole this idea or get reported because I did ask Kudo Yuichi first BEFORE I started typing this. And you can message them and ask them yourselves to double-check.
Also, this story will have ships that I ENJOY. With my fanfic sisters Raphianna and Goldensaddletank, I love their Thomas Universe and the couples they made for this universe so all of my TTTE stories will have those ships only. Also, Nia and Rebecca will NEVER appear in my stories for BWBA never should've happened and I DO NOT LIKE those characters.
Even though Thomas and Friends is set in like the 1940s/50s, I'm going to be adding some modern stuff to it. There will be computers/laptops, cellphones, headphones, basically modern technology but some 40s/50s style clothing, but there will also be modern clothing. Almost like in Fallout 3(I think, I don't remember _')
My FanFic sister Goldensaddletank edited this chapter as well ^^
Please don't leave any hate/flame reviews for they can hurt people's feelings when they just want to type something they enjoy.
So, I hope you all enjoy this story and I am working on Chapter 3 of 'A Sacrifice For Those You Love,' it's just a VERY long chapter I'm doing and debating if it should be done in two parts or not. I will decide when I am finally done with that chapter lol.
Read, review, and enjoy!
~suicuneluvr~
Lightning flashed across the dark sky, briefly illuminating a forest, before the thunder roared, the sound echoing across the land. The rain poured down from the sky, the drops feeling like sharp blades against skin. A puddle splashed as a hooded cloak ran through the forest. Her breathing becoming hoarse as she panted, her bare feet dirty, cut up and bloodied from running through the forest undergrowth barefoot.
The figure slipped into a puddle and landed face first in the muddy water. A small whimper escaped her mouth as she slowly pushed herself up onto her hands, despite her hands being bruised and cut from hitting sharp stones.
"DON'T LET HER ESCAPE!" A man's voice yelled, his voice echoing through the pouring rain.
Gasping in fear, the figure struggled to fully push herself up, wincing in pain as she did so. Feet sliding in the mud, she quickly caught her footing and swiftly ran off, her cloak billowing behind her.
Her lungs burned and her legs were aching from running so intensely. Her lack of shoes didn't help, as she kept skidding in the mud, and winced and cursed whenever she stood on pine needles, sharp stones or twigs. She kept on running, however, reminding herself through gritted teeth that the pain would be worth it- if only she managed to outrun her pursuers.
Fearing that her lungs might give on her soon, a small spark of hope ignited in her heart when she saw a light shining in the distance, like a beacon of hope. She quickened her pace till she came across a concrete platform with shipping containments. Slowing to a stop, the figure panted hard as the rain continued to pour. Trying to take a deep breath, she turned around, and seeing a faint light from flashlights about in the dark forest she was just in. Whimpering, she ran deeper into the yard that seemed like a maze.
Everywhere she ran, tall stacks of the metal units towered over them, casting dark shadows across the ground. The figured skidded to a stop as she sees a crane loading the units and crates onto a huge cargo ship. Staying in the shadows, the figure darted her gaze around until her eyes landed on an antique-looking travel chest. It was spacious- looking, with worn leather straps on the front. It looked more like a carriage trunk that was made in the 1800s. Looking around to see if anyone was looking in her direction, she quickly ran over to the old trunk and opened it.
"THIS WAY!" The same male voice yelled nearby, making her shudder in fear. Looking over her shoulder, trembling in fright, she forced the lid open before slowly climbing into the old trunk. She closed the lid, keeping it open a crack for air- just as a group of 6 men stop a few feet away from the trunk.
Heart pumping swiftly, she put a hand against her mouth, trying to keep her breathing quiet. The horrid images of where she came from and what those men will do to her flooded her mind and filled her heart with fear, lest she is found and taken back to that hellish place.
….
"We lost sight of her, sir!" One of the men yelled over the rain to the group but focusing intently on the ringleader; though his eyes, along with the rest of his facial features, were obscured.
"You idiots!" The leader yelled as he pulls a whip out. "You need to look harder!" He whipped the ground, causing them -and, unknowingly, the person they were searching for- to flinch at the sound. "That creature is our goldmine and I will not it escape!" He yelled before looking at the trunk.
The figure slowly lowered the lid, feeling her blood run cold.
He saw.
Her body shivered and the wounds that covered her body, hidden under the makeshift cloak, ached at the fear the punishment that he and the others will give her when- no, if, she tried to tell herself- they find her. Her breathing quickened as she faintly heard the dark laugh escaping from his mouth.
"You can never hide from me, monster." The leader chuckled tauntingly as he holds his hand out towards the trunk.
Tears fell down the figure's face as her body trembled in fear- she could hear his footsteps get louder as she realizes that she's sliding into a small panic attack. If it got worse, she would most certainly be found.
Punishment would be inevitable.
'No…no…no…no…' she thought, her heart fluttering fearfully in her chest. 'Please…I don't want to go back to that torturous place…not again.' She clenched her eyes shut, preparing for the worse.
The leader chuckled as he stood in front of the trunk. "You thought you could escape but no more. This is your last time and I'll make sure your punishment will turn you into the good little slave." He smiled darkly as he goes to lift the trunk up.
"HEY!"
The men, and the figure in the chest, jumped at the voice. The men looked up. Staring down at them angrily was the crane that was loading and unloading the massive piles of cargo on and off the ship. His dark grey, almost black, body glistened in the lights and rain. His hook was double-sided as it lowered crates onto the ground.
"What are you men doing here?" The crane asked angrily, glaring down at them. "Only authorized people and vehicles are permitted here!"
"Shut it, crane!" The leader of the group yelled. "This doesn't concern you, so shut your mouth before I have you scrapped!"
"That is enough!"
The men looked to their right to see some of the workmen standing there, glaring at them.
"You are trespassing on government grounds and I ask you to leave before I call the police." The manager said as he glares at the men, holding his phone.
"We ain't leaving till we have that chest!" One of the men growled, pointing at said chest.
The figure in the trunk pressed her hands against her mouth tighter. Her breathing increased as tears poured down her face. She pressed her body against the wall of the trunk and clenched her eyes shut, fearing that the lid will open. But instead, her eyes widened when she felt the entire chest being lifted into the air.
"This chest and everything here are not for trespassers to take!" The crane huffed as he slowly turns, moving the pallet with the chest and other luggage's around to face the boat.
"The trunk!" One of the henchmen growled as the ringleader scowled.
The leader of the trespassers growled as he glares at the chest before looking at the workmen surrounding them. "Fine. We'll leave." HE huffed before he turned around, walking away.
"B-But boss?!" One of the other henchmen gasped as they looked at him.
"I said we're leaving." The ringleader growled as he walks towards the entrance, they came in.
The henchmen looked at each other in confusion before following him. "But Boss, the"-
The ringleader rolled his eyes before clapping his hand over his henchman's mouth to shut him up.
"We will find out where that boat is going first before we follow it." He said darkly before looking at the ship, smiling darkly. "Let that thing enjoy its freedom for the time being. I want to see its soul break when it realizes that it can never run from me."
When she finally felt the trunk stop moving, she took a deep breath and slowly lifted the lid up just a tad. Looking through the crack, she noticed she was now on the boat. Her heart leaped for joy in her chest.
….
"That's everything heading to Sodor!" One of the workmen yelled from the dock as he waved a green flag.
….
Jumping as the boat blew its loud horn in preparation for embarking on its journey, she looked through the crack again, watching the workmen walking up the gangplank and into the boat, disappearing from view.
Hearing how light the rain was now falling, she slowly opened the lid and stood up, her legs shaking.
Climbing out of the trunk, she gingerly closed the lid and cautiously walked over to the boat railing. Wrapping her pale, bloodied fingers around it, she watched the boat slowly creeping across the darkened waters- further away from the port.
"I-I did it..." The figure said softly as a relieved smile appeared on her face. "I finally…. escaped." She muttered happily as she slowly fell to her knees. Never had a word tasted sweeter on her lips.
She brought her hands up to her mouth to cover the sound of crying in rejoice.
...
Turning her head, she realized she could hear some workmen talking and approaching the deck. Panicking, the figure silently ran back over to the trunk and climbed back in, closing the lid.
Her body shook as tears of joys ran down their cheeks, finally happy to free.
"I'm free…" she cried happily as the adrenaline left their body. Feeling how exhausted she truly was after her strenuous escape, combined with the warmth in her chest at finally finding her freedom, it didn't take long for her fall into a deep sleep.
…
…
…
HHHOOONNNKKKK
The figure jolted awake at the sound of the cargo ship's loud horn. Stretching as best as she could in the chest, she rubbed their eyes and blinked a few times. They can see a thin stream of light coming into the chest from where it opens as they gently lift the lid up. She blinked as the sun's bright rays hit her eyes before bringing an arm up to shield them as she slowly got to her feet.
She made a humorous, self-deprecating comparison to a vampire rising out of its coffin.
Staring at the beautiful blue sky and white clouds, she suddenly noticed an island in the distance. Removing the hood of her cloak just up to her forehead revealed the face of an 18-year-old girl. Her skin is pale, like the ivory of piano keys, with her cheek bones visible and bright sapphire-blue eyes, sunken in from years of starvation, neglect and abuse.
Small amounts of golden blonde hair tumbled free, being teased by the breeze. Her bangs, tipped with the same shade of blue as her eyes, were swept to the side.
However, the strangest part of her was that her pupils resembled those of a cat's-narrowed slits. Intelligence and curiosity sparkled in them, eagerly absorbing her surroundings, feeling safe in the knowledge of her newfound freedom.
Hearing the familiar footsteps of the ship's crew, she quickly ducked back into her chest and shut the lid, again keeping a crack open to let air in
"I'm glad to finally arrive on Sodor." One of the men chuckled as he and two others walk past the chest.
"And get real food in me." Another man hummed longingly as all three of them laughed.
The girl watched them walk past the chest before looking back at the island. "Sodor…" She thought as she rests her chin against the edge of the chest, smiling warmly as she stares at it still. "My freedom…"
On the Island of Sodor, Brendam Docks was bustling with life. Both steam and diesel engines were busy shunting trucks full of cargo and other imported goods while others were busy pulling the trucks away. Cranky, Carly, and Big Mickey were busy unloading and loading the ships and trucks of the cargos and goods.
"You're all set, Thomas." Cranky said as he lowers the last crate into the empty truck, a huge chest resting on it.
"Thanks, Cranky!" Thomas smiled as he blew his whistle twice, slowly puffing down the tracks.
As Thomas puffed through the countryside of Sodor, in the chest, the female figure slowly opens the lid completely and sits up. Her eyes widen as the beautiful scenery rushed by her. The warm summer sun shining brightly as the wind blew against her cloak. For the first time in her life, she didn't feel scared. She leans her head back as she inhales the summer air, feeling alive for once.
"It's beautiful here…" She said softly as she looks towards the front of the train. "But I have to find a place to hide. I don't want to be seen, especially by humans." She hummed as she looks around her for ideas.
She knew from previous escape attempts that the fields are a terrible idea because of how open they are and how easily anyone can spot her. Sighing quietly, she looks towards the engine pulling the goods train and smiles as she sees them about to pass a huge wooded area.
"Perfect!" She said happily, yet quietly, so she wouldn't be heard.
Climbing out of the chest, she looks back towards the engine, but mostly at its cab. She can see two figures, but they were too busy looking forward. Smiling to herself, she stands up and jumped out of the truck tumbling onto the ground.
…..
Groaning in pain, she slowly sits up, holding her head and looks around. She watched as the train goes by, easily catching a glimpse of the blue engine with a yellow '1' on its side disappear along the tracks.
When the tank engine was completely out of sight, the girl was met with silence, the only noises were from nature itself- but unlike her escape through the forest the previous night, when her heart was pumping and her lungs screaming as she ran for her life, here, she felt tranquility and peace.
These were strange new feelings- but not unpleasant ones.
Smiling brightly, she laughs quietly before laughing louder, but also showed her long and quite sharp K-9 fangs she had.
"I'm finally free!" She exclaimed happily as she skips deeper into the woods.
She smiled as her bare, dirty feet was met with the soft summer grass and leaves that decorated the forest floor. The sun's rays cut through the small spaces in the trees as the forest animals scattered about. She placed a hand on a tree before pressing her head against it. She never felt an actual tree, or any other nature thing with her always being confined in a small, tight 'cage.' She shivered from remembering her terrible 'home' and shakes her head.
"No more thinking about that wretched place." She told herself. "I am free, and I am no longer going back there, or being near humans." She hummed as she looks around the calm forest.
Smiling she walks deeper, loving and appreciating the nature around her. The animals near her were on alert but they didn't run, sensing a strange aura surrounding the girl. She hummed as she picks some of the few flowers that were growing in the forest, enjoying the scent of them for the first time. She was so used to smelling the scents of the circus, that she forgot what the true smell of nature was.
"Water!" She gasped happily as she runs over to a huge crystal-clear lake.
Her eyes widen as the crystal blue water and how clear it was. She can see the calm bottom and the different fish as swam around. Sitting down at the edge of the lake she gently puts her flowers down and gently puts her hands into the water. She shivered at the cold water as she cups her hands, scooping the water up. Staring as her reflection, she brought her hands to her face and drank the water- enjoying, no, savoring the crispness and refreshing cold water.
"So much better than the water they got from a puddle when it rained…" She said quietly as she drank more of the freshwater. Wiping her mouth, she stood up and grabbed her flowers before walking off. "I'm glad this forest is untouched by humans." She continued humming softly to herself. "A place like this needs to thrive without the worthless humans killing it like how they harm everything they touched."
She didn't see the tree root sticking out of the ground before it was too late. She gasped as she tripped over it and rolled down a hill nearby.
Henry sighed contently as he relaxed in his forest during his break. He always enjoyed spending his free time with Edward or in the forest. The people of Sodor called this forest 'Henry's Forest' because of how he always spends his time here, and when he helped repair it after a storm by taking the fallen trees away. It's been quite a few years since that terrible storm, and the forest had grown so beautifully since the new trees were planted.
"This forest sure has come a long way, huh, Henry?" Sam, Henry's fireman, asked as he and Dave looked up at the green tender engine.
"It has." Henry chuckled softly. "It's still so calm and beautiful as it always was. I hope it stays here for a long time." He said softly, smiling as he watched the birds fly around.
"I have a feeling it will." Dave laughed softly, looking at his engine fondly, "Now let's get going, our break is almost over." He said as he and Sam walked over to the cab.
"Can we come back here later on?" Henry asked hopefully as he moves his eyes to look at him.
"I don't see why not." Sam smiled as he starts to climb into Henry's cab.
Henry smiled as he looks back at his forest, enjoying nature while he can. But soon, he thought he heard a strange noise- a noise he never heard in his forest before.
"Sam, Dave, do you hear that?" He asked, a tad nervously. His crew was confused.
"What are you hearing, Henry?" Asked Dave, puzzled.
But Sam heard a faint… screaming coming from the trees.
"I hear it…. It sounds like a scream." He said. "Sounds like a human, too." He gestured towards the area the noise was coming from, "listen." He instructed his friend.
Soon, all three of them started to hear the faint screaming- and it was slowly getting louder as it came towards them.
Looking through the trees, a figure wearing a hooded cloak rolled down the hill, screaming before suddenly slamming into Henry's wheels and coupling rods, hard.
She groaned in pain as she slowly sat up, holding her head to try and regain some sense of stability before daring to stand.
Her cloak was torn in places from when it was snagged on twigs.
"Are you alright?" Dave asked as he ran over to her to help her up, and check for any injuries that might require medical attention.
The girl quickly looked at him in fear as she sprang up and ran off- but she only managed to run a few feet before she felt a sharp pain move up her leg.
"Shit!" She thought as she collapsed to the ground. Hearing two sets of footsteps heading towards her, she turns her head and glared at them. "Come any closer, and I will rip your throats out." She hissed dangerously.
Sam, Dave, and Henry froze as they noticed her eyes. Her eyes were a deep sapphire color, but what froze them were her pupils- narrowed, looking like tiny straight lines with points at the top and bottom. They also noted how her eyes were somewhat sunken in and her cheekbones visible. Her teeth were bared, showing her sharp fangs. She kept her hand on her ankle as she continued to glare at the huge engine and two men.
"Dave and Sam won't hurt you." Henry said softly, trying to calm her down.
He felt his boiler grow cold as she turned her sharp cold gaze onto him- which made him feel small and the intensity of her glare made him feel that she was staring straight into his soul.
The girl continued to stare at the engine in the eyes, trying to find any malice. For some reason, she felt a calm, and timid, aura surrounding the green engine. Henry noticed how she relaxed slightly before tensing up against when she glares at his driver and fireman.
"Uh…m-maybe you two should get into my cab?" Henry suggested to the two men quietly, fearing for the lives and safety of his friends.
"But she's hurt." Sam sighed as he goes to take a cautious step towards. "We can't leave her here, Henry, she needs help."
"One step closer and you'll be dead." The girl spat threateningly, causing Sam to stop in his tracks. "Just like humans, think they know everything." She growled animalistically.
"Come on, Sam." Dave said quietly as he puts his hand on his shoulder. "We can make sure she's alright at the sheds." He whispered quietly in his ear.
"I heard that." The girl spat angrily. "There's no way I'm letting humans near me again. Unless they want to die." She huffed.
All three beings looked at her in fear and concern, wondering exactly what happened to her.
"Please…" Henry said softly. "We can take you back to the sheds I stay at, for you can have shelter at least."
The girl hummed in thought as she stares at them judgingly. She heard her stomach growl.
"You'll also get food and drink." Dave said softly as he and Sam take a step back. "We'll get you whatever you want when we arrive there."
The girl looked down at her stomach, which rumbled, before looking up at Henry. "…I'll take word, engine." She said softly, relaxing a bit. "But I do not trust the words of HUMANS." She sneered, glaring at the Fireman and Driver. Slowly standing up, she gently limped towards Henry's running plate, glaring at Dave and Sam when they took a step closer to aid her.
"Wouldn't you rather go…" Henry started to say but stopped himself when she glared at him, distrust and hatred burning in her beautiful eyes. "Uh…n-never mind." He chuckled nervously.
The girl relaxed a little bit more before jumping onto his running plate. She winced as she felt the pain flare up again before gently laying on her stomach. Henry watched as she slid her feet against her sides as her right wrist crosses her left wrist, laying in a similar formation to that of a cat. Sam and Dave looked at each other in concern before climbing back into Henry's cab. Feeling fresh coal being shoveled into his boiler, Henry blew his whistle twice before slowly puffing down the tracks.
"Go the normal speeds you always travel." The girl commanded huffily, still laying like a cat. "I have no interests of traveling at a slow pace."
"But that would be dangerous for you." Henry gasped. "You could fall off going down a hill, or if I have to slam my breaks or if I derail…" He said in a worried voice.
"Don't care." The girl huffed. "Go any slower and I'll jump off here and now."
"We could get fired for letting you ride on Henry's running plate in the first place!" Dave argued. "We'll definitely be fired if he sees you on his running plate traveling at fast speed."
"Another reason why humans are pathetic…" The girl muttered angrily. "Whatever." She huffed as she lays her head down. "If we go anywhere else besides this so called 'shed,' I will not hesitate to slice your stomachs wide open." She threated. 'I will FIGHT to keep my freedom. No matter what I do…' She thought as she looks down, glad her hood was up.
She felt Henry tremble and heard the two men gulping in fear. But she also felt slightly more comfortable in the engine's presence. Henry bit his lip as he looked at the cloaked figure on his running plate. Sure, he was scared of her and her eyes are cold and bitter, but also saw fear hidden in her eyes when she relaxed a bit.
"Umm…w-what is your name?" Henry asked softly, wanting to break the tense air surrounding them. The figure remained silent, making Henry believe she wasn't in the mood.
"…Aurora…" She said quietly, making Henry look back down at her.
"Aurora…that's a nice name." Henry smiled slightly, glad to make tiny progress. "What about your last name?"
"Don't know." Aurora hummed softly, shrugging her shoulders. "Don't remember."
"Where did you come from?" Henry asked softly.
"A place that I would rather die than go back too." Aurora huffed in distaste. "Honestly, I was hoping I would die in that place every single day I was there."
"W-Why would you want that?" Henry asked softly, feeling sadness bubble in his boiler.
"Better off you not knowing, whatever your name is." Aurora said firmly.
"My name is Henry." Henry said softly, smiling a bit. "I'm Sir Topham Hatt's number 3 engine."
"Sir Topham Hatt?" Aurora huffed. "What kind of lame name is that?"
"Sir Topham Hatt is a very generous and kind man." Henry huffed, not wanting to hear his employer slated. "He's nice to everyone and every engine on his railway, even if he does get cross sometimes."
"Generous and kind man." Aurora huffed in annoyance. "There's no such thing." She muttered as she slowly relaxes on his running plate. Henry wondered what this girl had been through to believe that kind humans didn't exist.
He'd met plenty- there was Sir Topham Hatt and his wife, Lady Hatt. Sir Topham Hatt's mother, Dowager Hatt, was kind as well, though she did get rather bossy sometimes, but never maliciously. And of course, he'd met many kind people who either worked for the railway, or who were frequent passengers and friends with the engines, such as Mrs. Kyndly. He was on the verge of telling the girl about all these people- but he realized that she was too stubborn in her views about what humanity was like- cold, unfeeling, cruel.
Ah well, maybe she'll find out for herself that not all humans were bad. He knew that, and his friends knew that. Maybe she just needed to see it for herself?
"Why do you hate humans?" Henry asked instead, softly so he wouldn't startle her. Hearing no response, he looks down at her guest and sees her chest/stomach area under her cloak rising and falling steadily. "I feel sorry for her…" He said softly, looking back at the tracks.
"She must've gone through hell to act like that." Sam said softly from his cab. "Which would explain why she hates humans. I mean, her eyes looked sunken and her hair's a tad dull, as well."
"But why distinguish humans as something different from her?" Dave pondered quietly. "She's human as well."
"Probably because of what she's gone through?" Henry asked in confusion. It didn't make sense to him either.
Though then again, he'd never met a human with sharp fangs, or eyes like Aurora's before.
"Could be." Sam hummed in thought. "When we return to the sheds, we'll call Sir Topham Hatt to see if you can stay there with her and explain the situation. She's obviously alright with engines apparently. Or at least with you."
"Yeah…" Henry said softly as he puffs down the tracks towards Tidmouth Sheds.
The sun had started to set when the Steam Team headed back to their berths at Tidmouth Sheds. The sky was a beautiful red color, slowly fading to purple as the night came.
"I can't wait to get back to my shed to sleep." Gordon huffed pompously as he puffed behind Edward. "All these back-and-forth trips are tiring."
"There have been more tourists arriving on the island this summer." Edward said gently. "Even though Duck got his slip coaches a few years ago, which have helped to speed up some runs, we're still doing too many trips."
"Not to mention all of their luggage." James groaned tiredly. "I'd rather be pulling my coaches instead of luggage cars." He snorted in disgust. "I'd much rather be pulling passenger trains so everyone can see my beautiful red paintwork."
"Every engine has to do their jobs no matter what, James." Emily reminded him with a gentle chiding as she puffed next to him. "No matter how much they hate it."
Thomas and Percy giggled behind the two engines. "Relax James. I'm sure Sir Topham Hatt will let you pull your coaches tomorrow." Thomas smiled warmly.
"Henry?" Edward asked in confusion as he slowed to a stop on the Turntable, seeing the green engine in the sheds. "You're back early." He said happily as the turntable starts to move. He was happy to see his true love here so soon.
"That's…because I had to stay here for the rest of the day." Henry chuckled nervously. He watched as Edward reversed into an empty berth next to him.
"Probably because he got sprayed some water and wanted to hide in a tunnel." Gordon teased smugly as he puffed onto the turntable after Edward.
"That did not happen." Henry huffed crossly, glaring at Gordon, who was stifling chuckles. "It's because I found… someone." He watched as Gordon moved into an empty berth.
"Found someone?" Emily asked as she puffs onto the turntable.
"She rolled out of the woods and landed against my wheels." Henry said softly. "We convinced her to come with me here and she's been asleep this entire time." He said softly as he looks at his running plate.
"I was wondering why there was a tarp on you." Percy said as he looks at his older brother. "Is she under it?"
"She is Percy." Henry smiled slightly. "Though, she doesn't like humans. Threatening to k-kill them if they got too close."
"Kill humans?" Dylan, Gordon's fireman, asked in confusion as he walked out of the shed. "Surely that's an exaggeration- especially since you guys helped her."
"I've never heard of anything like that." Gordon huffed. "I don't even think there's a violent human on the island."
"I don't think so." Thomas said softly. "There's always an exception to the rule, Gordon."
"I have to agree with Thomas." Edward said softly, looking at his two brothers. "Whilst Sodor has never had any violence that would harm humans, we don't know anything about her past."
"Because there is nothing to say."
The engines, along with their drivers and firemen, all looked over at the figure on Henry's running plate. They froze as they saw the sunken sapphire, cat-like eyes glaring at them suspiciously, angrily, and a little bit of fear. Henry, having already suffer under the glare, tries to calm her down.
"They're not going to hurt you." Henry said softly, trying to get her to relax. "They won't get near you. I promise." He said, smiling gently as he saw her shoulders relax.
"I came from a hell of a place, no thanks to humans." Aurora snapped as she jumped off his running plate. She stumbled as pain shot up her leg again but ignored it.
"Everyone, this is Aurora. Aurora, this is Edward, Gordon, James, Thomas, Percy, and Emily." Henry smiled as he looks at them.
"Charmed." Aurora muttered before sighing a bit. "Hello."
"Hello, Aurora." Edward smiled before frowning in concern as he watched her limp. "Are you alright?" he asked her kindly.
"Just a slight pain, nothing more." Aurora said dismissively as she slowly walked over the tracks, staying far away from the drivers and firemen, looking around. "Nothing I'm not used to."
"You should get it checked out at a hospital." Emily pointed out in concern as she watched her limp over the rails. "It could be more damaged then you think."
"Trust me, I would know." Aurora huffed angrily. "And you can thank humans for that."
"Good humans would never hurt others." Zack, Emily's driver, pointed out. "Especially on Sodor."
"Get bent." Aurora snapped, a growl in her voice as she glared daggers at him. "All humans are the same in every way possible."
"Preposterous!" Gordon huffed angrily.
"Yeah!" James huffed in agreement. "Every human on this island wouldn't hurt anyone else."
"Oh really?" Aurora laughed bitterly. "So, you know what every human does when they're alone or with their families while in their homes?" She asked tauntingly.
"Well…" Percy hesitated as he looked down at his buffers. "No, but…"
"Then how do you know the people of this island are 'good?'" Aurora asked challengingly. "All of you think that humans are these so called 'beings' who care for you when they are nothing but lying, cruel, abusive, controlling creature who should all be killed off!" She growled dangerously continuing to glare at them.
"What proof do you have that all humans are bad?" Thomas challenged. Sure, he'd met rude travelers before, and many horrible people- even when he went to the Steelworks on the Mainland a year ago, when the workmen there helped Frankie and Hurricane imprison him, preventing him from going back home to Sodor; but Sir Topham Hatt, his driver, and his fireman, they were always so kind to him.
"You want proof?" Aurora growled quietly. "Fine." She spat as she ripped her already torn cloak off.
The engines, firemen, and drivers gasped in horror as they look at the 18-year-old in front of them. All she wore was a burlap sack she had fashioned into a dress with the right side missing, exposing her stomach. Bones were visible under her skin. Scars, burns, slashes, bruises adorned her thighs, stomach, neck, arms, and back. Her golden hair and blue-tipped bangs were filthy and matted.
But what shocked them the most were the two triangular cat ears on top of her head and a cat tail swaying behind her. Like her hair, they were also a golden blonde with blue tips.
"Is this enough proof?!" Aurora yelled angrily as tears slid down her cheeks. "How humans used me as their personal plaything because I am different?! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED TO SEE?!" She screamed as she collapsed onto her hands and knees.
"The humans beat me, torture me, RAPED me because I am DIFFERENT…" She cried as her body shook, tears pouring down her cheeks. "Watching every day in a cramped cage as my 'master' allowed people to do whatever they want from me…from kids, teens, adults…every single human did this to me…" She sniffed as she furiously wiped her eyes. "Wondering every single day why your parents gave you up… wishing you weren't the plaything of cruel humans…hoping every day that you would die to end the suffering…" She muttered quietly as she wrapped her arms around herself, crying out her sadness, grief, pain and hurt for the first time in years- something she would never have been allowed to do in captivity.
The engines and their crew were shocked into silence at Aurora's story, and her accompanying scars. They could do little more than look on in sadness at the weeping soul in front of them- who had been damaged beyond all limits. They were all surprised she was still alive after all she had been through.
Glad to feel he still had steam, Henry slowly puffed out of his berth and stopped in front of her.
"Come here, Aurora." Henry spoke in a calm, soft voice.
Aurora looked up at him with a broken face. She slowly put her cloak back on and silently climbed onto his running plate. Soft whimpers escaped her mouth as she slowly got onto her knees. Gently pressing her face against his cheek, she placed her hands on his cheek as well.
"I just wanted to live happily…not in a cage-like some animal…" Aurora cried softly; her voice slightly muffled as she cried against his cheek.
"I know you do." Henry said softly as he slowly backs up into his berth. "And you can, here on Sodor."
"Henry's right." Thomas smiled warmly at the cat girl. "We'll make sure you live the life you want."
"You might want to tell her in the morning, Thomas." Edward said softly, a warm yet sad smile on his face. "The poor thing cried herself to sleep."
Henry looked down as he watches Aurora sleep against his cheeks. Tears were still slowly sliding down her cheeks as she slept, but he can see the relaxed look on her face.
"I feel sorry for her…" Fredrick, Percy's driver, said sadly. "It's no wonder why she hates humans."
"I agree." Sam said quietly. "I would be the same if I had been in her shoes."
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Percy asked quietly.
"I'm not sure, Percy." Benjamin, Percy's fireman, hummed softly. "But we'll all worry about it in the morning." He said as he rubs his engine's running plate comfortingly. "But for now, all of you rest. Night engines." He hummed as he and the other firemen and drivers walked off.
"Night." The engines mumbled; certain it might be a while before they could sleep.
The sun had finally set, and the skies above Sodor became a dazzling dark blue. Stars twinkled in the night sky and the moon cast a pale white light over the island.
The only other lights at Tidmouth were those in the sheds; one in the turntable's operating hut; and three lamp posts scattered around the yard.
"I…feel bad making her reveal all of that…" Thomas said quietly as he looks down. "She… I didn't want to force her into showing us and telling us, what she went through…"
"She probably needed it." Emily said quietly, trying to reassure her friend. "She's probably been holding that in for years."
"And sometimes you do need to cry to feel better." Edward said softly. "Perhaps now that she's done the hardest part of her journey, she'll be able to seek the light she's looking for after so long."
"I wasn't much help either…" Gordon muttered quietly. "I feel… ashamed, for how I acted earlier."
"You were just being you, Gordon." James chuckled teasingly, trying to lighten the mood a little. The situation was making him uneasy, and he didn't like it.
"Hopefully Sir Topham Hatt can help her." Henry said quietly, making the other engines look at him- and at the sleeping figure on his footplate.
"So do I." Percy said quietly. "But she hates humans."
"We'll figure it out in the morning, Percy." Henry said softly. "For now, let's just let her rest. She needs it."
"We all do." Gordon added.
Saying goodnight to each other, the engines slowly fell asleep, one by one, waiting for the morning to come. Henry stayed up a bit longer, looking at the girl asleep against his cheek. After revealing her past, so far, he can see just how broken she truly was.
Seeing her shiver, he slowly backs up into his berth completely, hoping to seek some warmth for her.
'You will never have to fear about being in that kind of situation anymore.' Henry thought as he watched her sleep. 'I'll see if I can convince Sir Topham Hatt if I can be her guardian since she seems to trust me enough.' He thought before yawning as sleep finally overcame him.