A/N Just want to say that I heard about the issues with Chapter 8 and I want to apologize, I have no idea what happened, but I have hopefully fixed the issue! Hopefully, it doesn't happen again. Technology isn't liking me at the moment, smashed my phone screen at work and now this *facepalms*
Thanks for giving me the heads up it wasn't working, or else I wouldn't have known ^^' much appreciated! And thanks to those who had reviewed before this oddity happened, you guys are awesome!
Stay safe, peeps!
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Skarloey raced to the Blue Mountain Quarry as fast as his tiny wheels would allow, the urgency to reach Luke's side all the more paramount by his unwanted exile by Mr. Percival.
He was aware the other engines may not be so keen to see him, but he could deal with the repercussions later- Luke's life was his priority for the moment, surely the others would understand.
….
Once he arrived at the quarry, he found Rheneas, who was looking unusually grave.
"Are you alright?" Skarloey asked. Rheneas was startled to hear his brother's voice, but quickly glared at him.
"I could ask you the same." He said, coldly, and he saw Skarloey involuntarily wince.
"I… I'm sorry," Sighed Skarloey, quietly. "That I haven't entirely been honest with you, Rheneas. I… I was too ashamed."
"Skarloey, we've been through too much together to be ashamed of the other… surely you realize that?" Rheneas asked quietly.
It warmed Skarloey's heart and further enforced the shame building in his smokebox at how he treated Rheneas through all this.
"I really am sorry, brother mine," Said Skarloey, shamefully. "I'll do everything in my power to make things right with you… if I am not too late, that is." He sighed mournfully, and Rheneas only smiled in return.
"You'll never be too late for me, Skarloey," the younger engine told him warmly. "I'm glad you're being more open now than the past few days."
"Thank you, Rheneas." Skarloey replied graciously. "I want to open up to you about everything that happened that day, explain my actions, though they can never be justified."
"If you don't mind, Old Faithful," Rheneas continued, before Skarloey could begin. "That'll have to wait for now. "Luke… he…"
Skarloey felt his heart plummet. "Is he….?"
"He's alive," Rheneas reassured his best friend, "It's just… he tried to commit suicide again."
Skarloey swore in Welsh sucked a breath through his smokebox to calm himself before continuing, "What happened?"
Rheneas told him everything, from the missing gelignite, to Luke's threat to blow up the tunnel- and himself-, to Richard Wilsons's heroics in putting out Luke's fire before he could use any sparks to activate the explosive substance.
By the end, Skarloey was fighting back tears. "Where… where is he?" he asked, hoarsely.
"He's in his usual tunnel," replied Rheneas solemnly. "He's awake now, but he had to stay asleep for three days… Doctor's orders," he explained. "And Dr. Moon said she needs to get a psych ward therapist in to help her, even with this unusual set of circumstances…"
"Rheneas." Skarloey wheeshed warningly.
"She promised someone professional and discreet, who'll keep the whole matter confidential." Promised Rheneas. "This is just to ensure he cannot harm himself, or others. His crew and Doctor Moon could've died only three days ago, Skarloey. We need more help, surely you recognise that."
Skarloey did, as reluctant as he was to admit it. He still wanted to keep Luke's presence a secret as much as possible, but then, he reasoned, if Luke had succeeded in his latest attempt, three human deaths and one engine death would be much harder to explain away to Mr. Percival…. And the press.
Skarloey shuddered at the thought. "Very well, you have a point, Rheneas." He conceded.
"He'll be arriving tomorrow morning, with Dr. Moon." Said Rheneas.
"Ok." Said Skarloey, warily. "Shall I talk to Luke?"
"I'm not sure, he was feeling exceptionally rough." Rheneas replied. "His crew and Dr. Moon are with him now, but we were asked to keep our distance for the time being."
"I see."
"So, what led to you being allowed back here?" Asked Rheneas, changing the subject.
"Mr. Percival said you guys would be struggling with the workload." Replied Skarloey. "He also said he felt I learned my lesson and he was willing to give me a second chance. One I won't throw away."
"Good. So, we can talk about that day later?"
"Yep, I'll fess up tonight what happened." Skarloey agreed. "I must warn you though, you're not going to like it."
Rheneas was going to ask why, but wisely decided to wait until tonight, when they could discuss the subject in more detail.