AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello everyone! After stressing with college and dealing with work a lot, I have finally finished chapter 4 for this story! ^^ This chapter isn't as long as chapter 3 but it's setting up the events of what is to come~ I hope all of you enjoy this chapter and please, only love positive reviews! Until chapter 5, I hope everyone has an amazing day!
Disclaimer: Aurora is owned by me while Thomas and Friends are owned by Mattel(They suck! XP)
BOLD: Flashbacks, sounds, etc
Italics: Flashbacks, thoughts, inner voices
~suicuneluvr~
"So tell me again, WHY are they turning that into a house?" Aurora asked, laying on her stomach like a cat on Henry's running plate in front of his face with her arms stretched out in front of her.
It has been a month since Aurora first arrived on Sodor, and was adopted by Henry and Edward. Since then, she has become friends with all of the steam engines and some of the diesels. Though she considers the entire Steam Team, Duck, Donald, Douglas, and Whiff as her brothers and sister. She was more calm being around them and not as jumpy. She no longer wore her hood around the engines, letting her ears and tail stay visible to them. Her hair was no longer matted and dirty, but now a beautiful bright blonde that seemed to glow in the sun's rays. The outer part of her ears matched her hair while the inside was as white as snow. Her tail seemed fluffier with the same golden blonde color while the tip of her tail was a stunning sapphire color. Her hair went down to her hips and seemed like a waterfall of melted gold. Her sapphire eyes shone brightly in the light, full of life and happiness from being around her new family. The scars were visible on her arms and legs but also slightly faded. Her bones were still slightly visible under her skin but not as bad as when she first arrived.
"They're turning it into a house for you." Henry chuckled softly, watching the construction crew arriving at the old workman's hut. " For you can have a place to sleep, cook, and keep stuff stored there."
"I prefer sleeping in the sheds with you…" Aurora muttered under her breath as she placed her chin on the cold metal.
"It'll be helpful during the cold weather." Edward yawned as he puffed out of his berth, followed by the others. "Also for you won't have to wash down in the berths." He smiled warmly. "Do you want to continue getting a bath in the berth?"
"No…" Aurora groaned as she buried her face against her arm.
~~Flashback~~
"You have shown great improvements." Dr. Forest smiled as she lowered her stethoscope.
Aurora's ears folded against her ears as she looked away, her tail wrapped around Henry's coupling rod once more. She was still very distrustful towards humans but felt a tiny bit calmer around the doctor, only thanks to Henry being there with her. Her wounds had started to heal properly and her skin was not as pale now. The catgirl watched with cautious eyes as she watched the doctor pull out four green bottles before putting her bag down. Aurora took a step back, feeling Henry's running plate being pressed against the back of her neck.
"Is everything alright?" Henry asked worriedly, feeling Aurora pressing herself closer to him.
"Everything is alright, Henry." Dr. Forest giggled softly as she started to set up a tarp. "Just preparing things to wash her.
"...What…" Aurora barely whispered, her eyes going wide in fear.
Aurora felt her body tremble from hearing those words, nightmares resurfacing in her mind. The chains they used to strap her to a table, the workers having their way with her as they scrubbed her body with sandpaper and water. The way her skin was rubbed raw, turning red and stinging with pain at the slightest touch. That was the only 'bath' she knew, and it was always before she was used as a plaything when the circus entered a new town. Her hands tightly grabbed onto Henry's running plate, her claws scraping against the metal as her eyes shrunk in fear. A low, shaky growl escaped her mouth as her vision started to blur, being replaced by the different trailers and tents of her hell. Her breathing picks up, sounding shaky as she slowly collapses to her knees.
"Aurora?" Henry asked worriedly, feeling and hearing her starting to panic.
Dr. Forest quickly walked over to Aurora, gently cupping her face. She ignored the hissing coming from the catgirl, blood slowly dripping down her arm as Aurora dug her claws into her skin. She had a feeling that Aurora would react like this to something simple such as a bath. She hummed softly as she gently used her thumbs to rub against the scared teen's cheeks. Tears began to fall from Aurora's sapphire eyes as they seem to come back into focus. Trying to blink the tears away, Aurora stared at the doctor in front of her before looking down. She felt trapped. She was relieved that Henry was still next to her but felt like she couldn't escape getting closer to him. Dr. Forest stared at her sadly before lowering her hands, watching how Aurora's hands dropped to her side as her tail wrapped around the green engine's coupling rods.
"They hurt you during this as well, didn't they?" Dr. Forest asked softly, watching the teen nod slightly. "You don't have to worry, I'm not going to hurt you." She smiled warmly, causing Aurora to look up at her a bit. "Like when I first examined you, I'm going to let you look at everything I brought." She said calmly as she walked over to the rest of her bg.
Aurora watched as she brought out the rest of her bathing supplies, ranging from bottles of shampoo and conditioner, soap, sponges, brushes, and a hairdryer. The catgirl tilted her head as she watched the doctor pull out a large gun-looking thing. She cautiously inched herself closer, flinching a bit at the slightest sounds as she gently picked it up. Instead of a trigger, she sees a button that slides up and down, with a switch showing a red and blue dot. Dr. Forest smiled warmly as she watched Aurora examine the battery-powered hairdryer. Grabbing the sponges, she gently hands them over to her. Aurora stared at them before putting the hairdryer down, grabbing the sponges. They felt soft in their hands, more so than the sandpaper that was always used on her.
"Ready?" Dr. Forest asked softly, watching Aurora gently press her cheek against the soft sponges.
"...Yes…"
~~Later~~
"Evening, Henry." Edward smiled, seeing his lover in his berth as he puffed onto the turntable.
"Evening." Henry smiled, looking at the light blue engine.
"Where's Aurora?" Edward asked, a look of concern on his face as the turntable started to rotate him.
"Dr. Forest is giving her a bath." Henry hummed softly. "Though, it's been over an hour since she started…" He said softly, a frown on his face.
"I'm sure she's just going slow with her to not scare her." Edward smiled reassuringly, puffing back into the berth next to the apple green engine.
Soon, the rest of the Steam Team puffed up to the sheds, looking tired from today's work.
"I am so glad I can finally sleep." James yawned as he waited for Emily to get off the turntable. "And I hope I don't have to deal with those troubling trucks tomorrow either." He huffed as he puffed onto the turntable. "Shunting and pulling goods trains don't go well with my splendid paintwork."
"All engines have to do jobs that they don't like, James." Emily hummed, a smirk appearing on her face. "Or do you want to disobey Sir Topham Hatt?"
"Of course not!" James hummed as he glared at her, starting to rotate. "I just prefer pulling coaches."
"I have to agree." Gordon hummed, stopping behind Percy. "Tender engines aren't meant to shunt or to fetch their coaches."
"Says the engine who said years ago to James that he didn't mind shunting and pulling goods trains for a change." Thomas giggled cheekily as he puffed onto the turntable, causing Percy and James to chuckle under his breath.
"You are mistaken!" Gordon huffed in disbelief, his cheeks turning red in embarrassment. "I only said that to make him feel better." He grumbled as he watched Percy puff onto the turntable.
"No, you didn't." James teased as he and Thomas continued to giggle.
Gordon grumbled under his breath as he finally puffed onto the turntable, a frown appearing on his face.
"Where's Aurora?" Percy asked in confusion, causing the other engines to look at Henry and Edward.
"Here..."
The engines looked over and gasped softly as the teen walked out from Henry's side. Her gaze was at the ground as she held her left arm shyly. She wore a pair of jean shorts and a light blue short-sleeved shirt. What really amazed the engines was her hair, ears, and tail. Against the setting sun, her hair, ears, and tail seemed to glow like the sun while the tip of her tail shimmered like a sapphire. Her hair was wavy, flowing down to her hips instead of being matted and dirt. Her bangs were swept over her right eye, the tip of it being sapphire-colored as well. Her tail seemed a bit fluffier as it wrapped around her leg as she tried to hide by wrapping her arms around her.
"You look great!" Thomas smiled, glad to see his friend/sister looking better.
"Thank you…" Aurora muttered softly, easily jumping onto Henry's running plate before curling up against his face.
She wanted to hide from the world, feeling insecure without her cape. She had watched Dr. Forest get rid of it, saying how it was worn and unrepairable. It was her only security she had when she wasn't around Henry or the other engines. She didn't want anyone to see her, to call her a monster or stare at her with hungry glances. Her body trembled as she buried her face against Henry's warm cheek, not wanting to look at them. The engines frowned worriedly as they looked at her, knowing what she was feeling. They figured that the cloak she always wore was important to her and without it, she felt empty. Hearing the sound of tires on gravel, the engines looked over to see a blue car parking next to the sheds.
"Evening engines." S.T.H smiled as he got out of his car, holding a box.
"Evening, Sir." The engines smiled as they looked at them, a silent hiss coming from Aurora.
"Tomorrow is a very busy day so I'll need all of you to work your hardest." S.T.H. smiled as he walked over to Henry.
Aurora narrowed her eyes as she watched the Fat Controller walk closer to Henry. Hearing Dr. Forest packing her stuff in the berth, she felt trapped once more. Sure she felt some safety from the doctor, but she still didn't fully trust her. When the controller was closer, she easily jumped onto Henry's handrail before jumping on top of his funnel. Her body trembled, feeling exposed without her tarp cloak. She hissed at the controller, her tail fluffing up in fear as she saw him stop in front of Henry's buffers. S.T.H. smiled warmly at the catgirl as he placed the box on Henry's buffer beam.
"It's a gift." S.T.H. hummed softly, walking around Henry to talk to the doctor.
Aurora continued to stare at the controller with distrust before looking at the box. She could feel the engine's eyes on her but she didn't mind, already trusting them completely. Looking behind her, she watched how the two humans started to talk before looking back at the box. She crouched down and started to slowly climb down off of Henry's funnel. The warmth from his boiler was welcoming on her feet as she slid down to his handrail before jumping onto his running plate. Henry smiled warmly at his adopted daughter as he watched her cautiously get closer to the box. Staying crouched down, Aurora hesitantly put her hand on the lid and removed it. Her ears perked up a bit as she gently picked up the material. It was a new hooded cloak that was made out of silk. The material felt cool on her hands but the color is what attracted her. The silk cloak was an apple green color that faded to a light blue at the bottom. A red silk ribbon was hanging by the hood.
"That looks amazing." Emily smiled as she and the other engines looked at the cloak.
"It matches Henry and Edward!" Thomas giggled as Aurora instantly put the cloak back on.
Aurora quickly tied the silk ribbon and wrapped the cloak around her body, putting the hood up. A shiver rippled through her body from the coolness of the silk material as she gently nuzzles against it. Hearing footsteps on the gravel, she instantly curled up close to Henry's face. She watched as Dr. Forest and Sir Topham Hatt walked around Henry, heading towards his car.
"...Thank you…" Aurora muttered under her breath, loud enough for them to hear.
"You are quite welcome." S.T.H. smiled as he looked at her. "If you ever need anything, just let us know."
"...I will…" Aurora nodded slightly as she curled up under her cloak.
~~End Flashback~~
"Which is why they're fixing it up to be a house for you." Edward smiled, watching as Aurora jumped onto his running plate from Henry's. "And for you to have a place where you can feel safe and secured."
Aurora's cloak fluttered from her jump, revealing her out as her feet landed on Edward's running plate. The cool metal was welcoming as Aurora sat down in front of his face, making a purring sound as she nuzzled against his cheek. Edward smiled at his adopted daughter as he gently kissed her head. The sounds of wheels turning and steam wheeshing out caused Aurora to watch as the other engines emerged from their berths.
"Morning sleepy heads." Aurora purrs in amusement as she rests her head against Edward's cheek.
"It felt like I had no sleep…" Percy whined as he tried to keep his eyes open.
"You had a lot more Mail last night, right?" Thomas asked as he looked at his friend.
"It was mostly packages that got placed in the wrong spots." Percy hummed as he recalled.
"Please, you were obviously taking your sweet time." Gordon huffed tiredly. "Any other engines would be able to pull it quickly."
"Then why won't you pull it since you're so fast?" Aurora asked softly, a sly smirk on her face as she sits at the edge of Edward's buffer beam.
"I'm an express engine." Gordon boasted proudly. "Tender engines aren't meant to pull Mail trains."
"Well, you said any engine and you are any engine." Aurora pointed out, the smirk still on her face.
Gordon looked at her, stuttering in shock as he tried to find the words. Henry and Edward were trying to hold in their laughter while Thomas, James, Percy, and Emily were laughing loudly.
"She told you, Gordon!" James laughed, only causing the number 4 engine to huff in annoyance.
Aurora purred triumphantly as she jumped onto Gordon's running plate. Walking over to his face, she sat down and rested her head against his cheek. Gordon grumbled under his breath before sighing a bit, gently nuzzling her.
"You know I love you, Gordon." Aurora purred as she gently kissed his cheek. "And you are the best at pulling the Express." She smiled warmly, her tail swaying slightly.
"Of course I am." Gordon smiled proudly.
Aurora smiled warmly as she gently leaned her back against his cheek, staring at the turntable. Since she escaped to Sodor, she felt a lot happier than before. Even though she knew she was safe on the island, that dreadful feeling in her heart has yet to vanish. The nightmares still plague her mind of that dreadful place. The cheers, the torture, the smell, all of it was buried deep in her mind, but mostly HIS voice. The voice of the man who treated her as a slave and sold her to multiple 'clients' who damaged her even more. She felt bad that her nightmares woke Henry, Edward, and even Gordon at times. She knew Henry and Edward would comfort her, but was surprised when Gordon would even comfort her. Pressing her head closer to his cheek, a soft sigh of content left her mouth, feeling protected from the engine she sees as a brother.
"Morning everyone."
Aurora opened her eyes and pulled her legs closer to her, hissing softly as she watched as Sam and Dave walked over towards her. Dave and Sam smiled as they placed a small brown bag on Gordon's buffer beam, along with a travel mug before walking towards Henry. The day after Henry and Edward adopted her, she would jump on top of either one of their funnels, hissing loudly and glaring at them and the other engines' crews. Now, she would only stay close to their faces, hissing a bit. They knew they were slowly building trust with the cat girl, especially since they bring her drinks and food. Aurora watched them before slowly scooting closer towards the bag and mug. Sniffing the air, she purrs a bit loudly as she pulls out a breakfast sandwich, eating it. Gordon smiled slightly as he watched his friend/sister eat, glad to see that she isn't looking like a skeleton anymore.
"Ready for today, Henry?" Sam smiled as he gently pats Henry's running plate.
"I am." Henry smiled, watching how the other crew members showed up as well.
Aurora purred softly as she took a sip of her hot chocolate, cautiously watching the drivers and firemen. The engine's crew member said hi to her, keeping their distance to gain more of her trust as they inspected the engines. Like Sam and Dave, the other drivers and firemen took turns bringing her food, gaining a little bit of her trust for they could also get closer to her. Aurora continued to eye the crew members, scooting closer to Gordon's face whenever they got too close. She knew what they were doing and could tell that they would never hurt her, but the past kept plaguing her mind, causing her to stay distant from humans. Her ears twitched as the sound of a car door echoed at the sheds, looking over in the direction.
"Morning, everyone." S.T.H. smiled as he walked over to his engines.
"Morning, Sir!" Thomas greeted, giggling as he tried to stop his laughter.
Aurora smiled slightly as she continued to lean against Gordon's cheek, quietly sipping her hot chocolate. Closing her eyes, she gently relaxed against him as she enjoyed the soft breeze blowing through the sheds.
"You can never escape from me, demon!"
Aurora instantly jumped off, dropping her hot chocolate onto Gordon's running plate. The engines, S.T.H., and the engines' crew members instantly looked at her from hearing the cup land. Her tail was fluffed up and a look of fear coated her face. Aurora's ears kept twitching as she frantically looked around, eyes shrunk and unfocused. Her breathing came out in quick, fast breaths as she started to have a panic attack.
"Aurora!" Henry and Edward called out worriedly.
Aurora ignored them as she shakily took a few steps back, pressing her back against Gordon's cheek. Her breathing quickened as tears streamed down her cheeks, her body trembling terribly. Her eyes constantly looked around her surroundings, searching frantically in fear. Gordon winced as he felt her claws digging into his face hard but didn't care. He was more worried about seeing his sister in this state. He could easily feel her trembling body, the soft whimpers that escaped her mouth as she stared ahead. Sure, he has seen her have panic attacks when she first arrived, but now, he can feel the fear radiating off of her. Gulping nervously, Gordon looked around and watched how the others called her name worriedly. The humans yelled her name, trying to snap out of it since they knew she would react if they got close. Hearing the panic in Edward and Henry's voices was foreign to him, never hearing that tone coming from the two. Without thinking, Gordon closed his eyes and blew his whistle long and loudly. He felt Aurora stiffen from his whistle before he finally stopped. The engines and humans looked at Gordon in shock, the echo of his whistle slowly fading away. Aurora panted hard as she blinked constantly, slowly regaining her focus. Sweat covered her forehead as part of her hair clung to her face. Her body still trembled as she shakily and slowly looked around. The worried looks of the engines were the first thing she saw as she slowly removed her claws from Gordon's cheeks. Her hands trembled as she slowly lifted the hood of her cloak over her head.
"Aurora?" Percy asked softly, puffing out of his berth a bit.
"I...I'm fine…" Aurora muttered as she shakily pulled her hood further over her head. "I'm...I'm sorry, Gordon…" She muttered as she slowly got on her knees. Pulling out a blue handkerchief that was given to her, she gently starts to wipe up the hot chocolate on Gordon's running plate.
"It's alright." Gordon said softly, watching how her hands continued to tremble.
"You can put the cup and handkerchief on the ground, Aurora." S.T.H. hummed softly, looking at her worriedly.
Aurora flinched at his voice but nodded slightly, standing up. Dropping the empty mug and handkerchief onto the ground, she easily jumped over to Edward's buffer beam. Edward looked at her sadly as she instantly got closer to his face, immediately laying down and curling up under his chin. She wrapped her cloak around her even more, hiding every inch of her body under it. Why did she hear his voice now? It's almost been an entire month without the memories haunting her so why did his voice return? Trembling, even more, Aurora shakily pressed her ears against her head, clenching her eyes shut as she tried to block out the noise. The sounds of the circus slowly filling her mind as the silhouettes of the tents and cages started to fill her mind.
'Please...I don't want to be here again…' Aurora thought as the tears began to fall, the vision of the circus slowly becoming clearer. "I want to escape…'
PEEP PEEP
Aurora flinched as her eyes shot open again from hearing her dad's whistle. Trying to blink the tears away, she slowly looked up at Edward's face. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she slowly sits up and pressed her face against his cheek. Edward held back tears as he felt how scared his daughter was, not having to feel this since before he and Henry adopted her. Looking at his emerald lover, he gave him a sad smile as he slowly puffed out of his berth. Henry watched him, a worried look on his face as he thought about Aurora. She was doing well in forgetting about the circus but now, it came back to her. Wheeshing slightly, he looked towards the others to see them looking at Edward's fading form.
"Poor Aurora…" Percy said sadly as he looked down. "She hasn't looked that scared in days."
"She was slowly forgetting about her old life while living here but something caused her to think about it again." Emily stated in a concerned voice.
"Exactly what happened, Gordon?" Thomas asked as he looked at his brother.
"I'm not quite sure, honestly." Gordon sighed softly. "She was fine but then just reacted like that."
"PTSD does that to people I'm afraid." S.T.H. sighed softly as he walked over to Percy. "It's something that can never truly disappear from a person's mind."
"What do you mean?" James asked as he puffed forward a bit.
"People tend to suffer from PTSD even if it's been decades since their tragic experience." S.T.H. pointed out. "It's when the terrible memories are locked in their minds that play when it's triggered."
"But...I didn't see or hear anything that would resemble the circus she escaped from, Sir." Henry worriedly said, letting more steam out anxiously.
"Sometimes, those memories can replay in their mind for no reason, Henry." S.T.H. said sadly.
Edward silently puffed down the tracks, heading towards his Branchline in Brendam Docks. He kept taking glances at his daughter, still feeling her tremble slightly as she kept her face pressed against his cheek. She still hid under her cloak, the wind making it flutter a bit. He no longer felt her warm tears fall but knew she was still upset. Her breathing had calmed down a bit but was still tense and scared. He could feel her claws digging into his face a bit, her hands trembling as she tried to calm down some more.
"Aurora?" Edward asked softly, feeling her flinch. "Aurora, what happened?" He asked in a soothing voice.
He remembered what Dr. Forest had told him, Henry, and their friends on how they should talk to Aurora when she had an episode. About how to talk in a soft and calm voice whenever she is in a PTSD episode or coming out of one. He felt bad at how she reacted when Gordon blew his whistle, but he also knew that she needed to get out of her memory before she hurt herself. He heard her take a shaky breath before she pulled her hood off.
"...I heard his voice…" Aurora whispered, her voice soft and quiet.
"His voice?" Edward asked calmly, already knowing the answer.
"...The one who damaged me…" Aurora muttered, feeling tears in her eyes again. "Almost being here a month, I haven't had nightmares about that hell but his voice entered my mind earlier." She whimpered quietly, wiping her tears away. "Why now…?"
"I'm not sure." Edward sighed sadly. "Dr. Forest might understand why that happened." He reassured her slightly.
'It felt more than that.' Aurora thought before gently pressing her forehead against her dad's cheek. 'It felt like a warning...but why?' She thought as she tried to take a deep breath to calm down.
The ride to Brendam Docks was silent but comforting to Aurora. The sound of Edward chuffing along the tracks, listening to his wheels and coupling rods moving, just that sound itself helped her to relax slowly. The smell of flowers surrounded her as Edward rode past the field he and Henry took her when they announced that they wanted to adopt her. It was a memory that Aurora cherished the most since her escape. Never before had she felt loved and cherished by anyone before she met the engines. All her life, she was met with torture and abuse by humans of all ages and gender. Being photographed after she was beaten, choked by hands when humans had her way with her, and wounded when she tried to move without being told. Since she arrived on Sodor, the engines have treated her as an equal, caring about her and making sure she is safe. She knew the humans on this island have yet to hurt her but she still couldn't trust them after years of abuse.
Edward smiled slightly as he watched Aurora slowly scoot closer to the edge of his buffer beam, her beautiful blonde hair flowing in the wind. He could see how relaxed she felt, even though her ears were folded back slightly in fear. He was glad to see her being more relaxed after her episode but was still worried. He knew how PTSD worked to an extent thanks to Dr. Forest, but something didn't feel right in his boiler. He was confused about why she had an episode when nothing was a trigger for her. Sure he was told that it sometimes happened without anything triggering it, but something felt off. The way she was looking around in a panic, the way her ears swerved and turned as if she was listening for something but something she hadn't done in her past episodes. Sure she told him that she heard his voice, but from her reaction, she thought that he was physically there. He hoped that he was just overthinking this, but something in his mind is telling him to be cautious and that scared him. Taking a deep breath, he let out some steam to calm himself down before looking back at the tracks. He would have to ask Dr. Forest about it later on.
The smell of saltwater started to fill the air as the horns of boats echoed in the wind. Aurora smiled slightly as she closed her eyes, inhaling the air. After being adopted by Henry and Edward, she has gone along with some of the engines while they did their jobs and Brendam Docks was one of her favorite spots to visit. Despite that she was unloaded onto the island from the docks, the smell of the saltwater was something that calmed her. That and Salty's stories were something she enjoyed listening to, despite Cranky getting annoyed with them. The sight of the docks was coming into their view, the rising sun glistening on top of the water.
The docks were bustling with life as Salty and Porter were busy shunting empty and full trains in place for arriving engines. Cranky huffed as he and Carly were busy unloading and loading the cargo ships. Aurora scooted back closer to Edward's face a bit as the dock's workmen walked around, inspecting the crates and trains. Edward smiled warmly as he blew his whistle twice, coming to a stop under Cranky's hook.
"Morning, everyone." Edward smiled as he looked at his friends.
"Mornin' matey!" Salty smiled as he pushed an empty truck onto a siding. "I see yer brought Aurora."
"Morning Salty." Aurora purred as she jumped onto his running plate. When it came to diesels, Salty was one of the very few Diesel engines that she liked. "Any interesting stories you have today?" She asked, talking a bit loudly for Cranky to hear.
"Not this early…" Cranky groaned as Carly moved over next to him.
"Oh yes, Salty! Do you have a story for us?" Carly asked happily, moving back to lift a crate up.
"I 'ave a few, me maties!" Salty laughed as he reversed on the tracks.
"Do not encourage him!" Cranky huffed as he slowly rotated around.
Edward smiled warmly as he watched Aurora jump onto Porter's running plate, glad to see her being herself. Still, he was still startled by her episode she had this morning. The fear and panic on her face made his boiler ache, feeling upset that she is still suffering so much. Both he and Henry did everything to make sure she stayed happy, but even they knew that this pain would take a long while to overcome. Hearing her genuine laugh made him feel better instead of hearing the whimpers and cries that held so much fear. Deep in thought, Edward stared down at the tracks as Cranky loaded his train with crates. Aurora and Carly kept teasing Cranky, seeing his annoyed expressions as Salty told his stories.
"It's too early for this…" Cranky groaned as he lifted his hook back up.
"Don't be such a sour crane, Cranky." Carly giggled as she wheeled herself over to him, lifting a pallet with her hook.
"You know we love you." Aurora purred as she jumped onto Porter's running plate as he started to move.
"Besides, they're just stories." Porter pointed out, smiling at his friends.
"Ready to go, Aurora?" Edward asked as he backed up to the train, being coupled up to it.
"I am." Aurora purred as she jumped off of Porter's running plate. "Later guys~" She smiled as she waved at them before jumping onto Edward's running plate.
"Bye, Aurora, Edward!" The Brendam Dock crew called out, smiling at the two.
Waiting for Aurora to sit down, Edward blew his whistle twice before slowly puffing down the tracks. Aurora purred softly as she gently nuzzled against his cheek, the memories of what happened earlier gone from her mind. Edward smiled warmly at her, watching how she closed her eyes as he picked up speed. Her golden hair flowed from the wind as before she leaned back, laying on Edward's running plate.
"The weather is beautiful today." Aurora sighed softly in content, staring up at the sky.
"It is." Edward smiled warmly, glad she's not remembering earlier. "The weather around this time of year is always pleasant on Sodor."
"Can you, Father, and myself go to the fields tonight and look at the stars?" Aurora asked hopefully, sitting up to look at him better.
"I don't see why not." Edward chuckled softly, watching her ears perk up and her tail twitching.
"Good for it's supposed to be a full moon tonight as well." Aurora purred as she pulled her whistle out from under her shirt, staring at it.
"You like that whistle, don't you?" Edward smiled as he blew his whistle twice when he saw Hiro puffing down the opposite tracks.
"I do honestly." Aurora smiled as she blew her whistle twice as well.
Hiro smiled as he saw his two friends, blowing his whistle twice as he puffed past them.
~~Flashback~~
"What is this?" Aurora asked cautiously, sitting on Henry's running plate while eyeing his crew suspiciously.
"It's a conductor's whistle." Sam smiled warmly, gently laying the whistle necklace on Henry's running plate as well.
"A what whistle?" Aurora asked wearily, slowly using her tail to bring it closer.
"It's a whistle they wear and use when we are ready to leave the station." Henry smiled warmly, watching her pick it up.
"It'll also make it easier for you to greet the other engines on the tracks." Dave chuckled softly before he and Sam left.
Aurora stared at them before looking down at the whistle. Lowering her hood, she gently puts the tiny silver chain around her neck. The whistle hung down over her chest, the lamp's light glistening off of the smooth metal. Aurora stared down at it before slowly laying down next to Henry's face. Henry smiled warmly as he watched her, seeing the deep thought look on her face as she continued to stare at the whistle. A soft breeze blew through the sheds as Aurora buried herself under her silk green and blue cloak, the whistle clinking against Henry's running plate.
'She's slowly opening up about the humans here.' Henry thought as he watched his daughter slowly fall asleep, her hand resting on top of her whistle.
~~End Flashback~~
"It does help to greet the others that go by." Aurora purred as she leaned against his cheek. "So after you take this train to Suddery, what's next?"
"I need to collect some empty trucks in Suddery to take to the Blue Mountain Quarry to collect quarry stones then take it to Vicarstown." Edward hummed in thought, smiling warmly at his daughter.
"Sweet, I love talking to Luke." Aurora smiled as she stared up at the sky, watching the clouds pass by as Edward puffed down the tracks.
"Ugh, you're sounding just like a steamie."
'Not now…' Edward thought before sighing, hearing Aurora hiss. "Diesel…"
"Better than sounding like an oil drum." Aurora hissed as she stood up, glaring at the black BR Class 08 diesel engine.
"Please, you're just jealous that diesels will be the new top engines on Sodor." Diesel huffed proudly, giving Aurora a sly smirk.
"Ha! You honestly think that?" Aurora scoffed bitterly, crossing her arms. "Goes to show you have oil on the brain."
"Steamie lover."
"Filthy box."
"Big ears!"
"Square face!"
"Annoying furball!"
"Toxic waste!"
Edward quickly bit down on Aurora's cloak as she walked closer to Diesel, holding her in place. The tracks switched in front of them as they turned down onto a sidetrack as Diesel kept going forward.
"Puffball!"
"Air Polluter!" Aurora hissed loudly, glaring at Diesel before the trees blocked her vision.
Edward gently spits out the part of Aurora's cloak that he bit down on, sighing a bit as he watched her sit down cross-legged.
"I despise him." Aurora huffed as she crossed her arms, her tail fluffed up in anger.
"Most of us do, but we do have to learn how to work together with him." Edward hummed softly, looking at her.
"I don't see why we should." Aurora huffed bitterly. "He treats you and the other steam engines terribly."
"He has his moments where he knows he's wrong and does act well at times." Edward reassured her gently.
"If only he acted like BoCo, Daisy, Mavis, Rusty, and Salty where they don't mind working with Steam engines, then maybe I wouldn't dislike him...much." Aurora muttered before leaning back against Edward's cheek.
"Give it time, Aurora." Edward chuckled softly. "You'll learn to tolerate him enough."
"Doubt it, but I'll try." Aurora sighed softly, gently nuzzling his cheek.
Edward smiled warmly at her before looking back down the tracks. Ever since he and Henry adopted Aurora, it's days like this that he enjoys the most. It was nice having someone to talk to while doing his jobs. It helped him learn more about the cat girl and noticed how she's become a tiny bit more trusting of his engine and fireman. Glancing back down at her, he chuckled softly when he noticed that she fell asleep. Her chest rose and fell slightly and her ears twitched a bit from the wind. Her tail was wrapped around her waist and her and her face looked calm and peaceful. He would do anything for her as best as he could and to make sure she is completely safe. He, along with the others, don't want her to relive the life she had before coming to Sodor.
Protect Aurora
Edward nearly put his breaks on as a voice entered his mind. The voice was barely a whisper but he understood what it said clearly. A sickening feeling entered his boiler as he started to look around worriedly. A dreadful feeling overcame him as he looked down at Aurora again. He didn't know why it happened but he now had a bad feeling that something was going to happen, something that he must protect Aurora from. Unbeknownst to Edward, all across the island, all of the engines that are close to Aurora heard the same voice and felt the same dreadful feeling.
"What was that…?" Henry whispered quietly as he looked around.
He had just backed up into Vicarstown yard, coupling up to the heavy goods train he was to pull when a voice entered his mind. Protect Aurora? Those two words made him feel a dreadful pit in his boiler, his anxiety slowly rising. He was worried about Aurora and knew that something was wrong. Taking a shaky breath, Henry tried to calm himself down before looking up at the sky.
"Please be alright, Aurora…" Henry whispered quietly, praying and hoping she was safe.
Donald groaned as he slammed his breaks down, sparks flying off his wheels as he screeched to a harsh stop. Panting hard, Donald winced as he slowly opened his eyes as his pistons felt like they were going to fall off.
"Did ye feel that as well, Donnie?" Douglas called out from the back of the train they were pulling.
"Did ye hear that voice as well, Dougie?" Donald called out to his brother.
"Aye...protect Aurora." Douglas hummed softly. "What do ye think it means?"
"I'm not sure, Dougie." Donald sighed softly as both twins blew their whistles twice, slowly moving the train again. "Either way, we have to protect her."
"Aye, Donnie." Douglas said in a worried voice. "I just hope the lass is alright now."
Donald looked back at his brother worriedly before looking down the tracks. The twins both felt a sickening feeling in their boilers, feeling scared for Aurora's life. They both looked around worriedly, fearing that something bad was going to happen and soon.
"That was strange…" James muttered as he waited to be coupled up to some coaches.
"You heard that?" Thomas asked as he pulled into Knapford Station, stopping next to his boyfriend.
"You heard it too?" James gasped as he stared at him.
"I did…" Thomas hummed worriedly as he looked down. "And now I feel sick to my boiler…"
"So do I." James sighed, letting out some steam.
Soon, a low whistle echoed in the air, causing the two engines to look up. Duck silently puffed down the tracks towards the station, his eyes focused on the tracks. The two engines easily noticed the worried look that decorated his face as he came to a stop.
"Did you two happen to hear anything just now?" Duck asked, looking at his two friends.
"Protect Aurora." Thomas and James said at once.
"I see…" Duck hummed in thought, closing his eyes.
"How is it possible that we heard the same thing without it being said out loud?" Thomas asked in confusion.
"The world is full of mysterious things, Thomas." Duck said as he looked at him. "And since we all had heard that voice, I'm pretty sure the others as well."
"But why?" James asked as he looked at the Great Western engine. "What does it even mean? She's already safe here."
"I have a feeling that we will learn more about the circus that she came from." Duck muttered quietly, fear scratching at his boiler.
Thomas and James looked at each other worried before they blew their whistles, slowly puffing out of the station.
"Bye guys." Aurora purred as she waved to the Blue Mountain Quarry engines, already sitting on Edward's running plate.
"Goodbye, Aurora." Skarloey called out, smiling with the others.
When Edward and Aurora were out of sight, the engines sighed as a look of worry covered their faces. Before they had arrived, all of them heard a voice saying to protect Aurora. Even Duncan was looking worriedly as the yellow engine rested next to Luke.
"I don't like this one bit." Rheneas muttered as he looked at his brother. "Not one bit."
"I don't think we all like this." Skarloey reassured him.
"But why did we hear it?" Luke asked worriedly.
"Lady knows, Luke." Duncan hummed softly, looking at his boyfriend. "But I think the lass is in danger."
"You're not the only one who thinks that." Peter Sam agreed as the others looked at him. "But we all must protect Aurora."
"I agree." Rusty said as he rolled up to them. "It was an omen that we all heard that voice."
"We best keep our eyes open for anything suspicious." Sir Handle hummed softly. "And to report it to Henry and Edward."
The narrow gauge engines agreed as they slowly puffed down the tracks, going back to work.
"I'm scared, Duncan…" Luke sighed softly as he followed his boyfriend. "Like...something bad is going to happen."
"It'll be alright, Luke." Duncan reassured him gently. "All of us will protect ye and Aurora." He said as he tried to convince himself that everything will be fine.
Edward felt the dreadful feeling in his boiler grow as he puffed onto the mainline towards Vicarstown. To him, he felt he was heading towards a dangerous and unwelcoming place. Usually, he never felt like this when he traveled towards Vicarstown, he usually felt happy to visit the big station. Now, it just felt like he was heading towards an area that was filled with darkness. Far in the distance, dark clouds covered the sky and very ever so slowly moved towards them. Edward felt his heart race in anticipation as he glanced down at his daughter. Aurora stared at the scenery as Sodor's number 2 engine puffed down the tracks, her ears twitching a bit. She looked alright but Edward could tell that something was on her mind. The fur on her tail fluffed up a bit as she gently moved it over her lap, gently petting it.
"Are you alright, Aurora?" Edward asked softly, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in his racing heart.
"Yeah, I'm fine, dad." Aurora muttered softly, gently leaning against his cheek.
The way her voice was quiet and trembling a bit was everything Edward needed. She also felt the dreadful feeling he was feeling, though hers was more of fear. He wondered why all of this is happening after a month of her learning to live for herself. It started him and made him feel sick that she is once again suffering from that nightmare. Seeing her so scared, so cautious of everything and everyone, she didn't deserve to live that life. She deserved to be happy, living her life without the constant fear of being tortured.
"I love you, dad." Aurora muttered quietly as she stared at the tracks.
That startled Edward more, even though he heard her say that to him multiple times. The way she said it in such a quiet voice gave off an eerie sound. She sounded a bit distant like she knew she was going to die. That thought alone made a shiver go through his entire body. He, along with the others, don't want her to die, let alone think about it. He would do everything he can to protect her from people who wish her harm, along with Henry and the others.
"I love you too, Aurora." Edward said softly, smiling slightly. "We all do."
Aurora let out a soft hum before she slowly moved to sit in front of his face. Edward gently kissed her head as he continued to puff down the tracks. Soon, the junction for Vicarstown and the station itself came into view but to Edward, it was like a scene from a horror movie. Dark clouds loomed in the distance over the Mainland, looking ominous behind Vicarstown Station. Edward felt an eerie vibe radiating from the station, more used to feeling the bright happiness he always got here. But now, it felt like he was being sent to scrap at the Smelters Yard. Looking at the other engines coming towards them on the other tracks, he can see the worried and cautious looks that decorated their face. Emily, Caitlin, Connor, Rosie, Stanley, even Gordon looked around nervously. They blew their whistles twice and smiled when they saw Aurora and Edward, but Edward knew they were hiding their true feelings from Aurora. Looking back down at his daughter, he can see her sitting up in a more alert state, her ears twitching a bit as the fur on her tail fluffed up even more.
As Edward slowly puffed closer to the station, he noticed an engine he hadn't seen before. A DB Class 10 standard steam engine rested at a platform as he looked around in boredom. The dark grey livery with dark red stripes gave off a strange, dark vibe as Edward felt intimidated by him. His face was hard and his eyes cold as a scar was clearly visible on his cheek. As Edward stared at him, he felt Aurora slowly stand up. Looking down at her, he saw her body tremble as her ears laid flat against her head. Her tail was fully fluffed up as she slowly wrapped it around her leg. Her gaze was at the strange engine as she took slow steps backward.
As Edward slowed to a stop at the same platform, he noticed the long train it was pulling. It was a mix of boxcars, trucks with covers, and a few animal transportation trucks. On the platform, two clowns were performing for a group of children. The sound of the children's laughter sounded eerie as he felt his anxiety slowly start to rise as looked at them. He could still feel Aurora trembling on his running plate and felt his heartache. Moving his eyes from the clowns, he slowly looked at a man who was talking to some adults. The man was tall and thin, wearing black pants, black shoes, a white dress shirt, and a bright red tailcoat. Gold buttons decorated the front and black trimmings on the pockets and sleeves. A black top hat with a red ribbon wrapped near the base was held in his hand, revealing his dark brown hair. His eyes are an icy blue and his teeth white as he smiled at the parents. He might've seemed friendly and polite, but Edward could feel the dark and sinister aura radiating off of him.
Feeling Aurora tremble some more, he watched how she silently stepped backward till she was next to his boiler. Her face showed pure fear as her eyes shrunk. Tears streamed down her face as she shakily covered her mouth with her hands. Her body shook violently as her claws dug into her face. Edward watched worriedly as her fingers clenched tightly, blood slowly trickling out of her broken skin. The muffled whimpers made Edward's heart filled with dread as she tried to hold back a choked sob. Looking back at the new train and people, he started to put the pieces together as his eyes widened.
"Aurora, is that-" He whispered ever so quietly, feeling sick to his boiler as he tried to say the rest of his sentence.
Aurora didn't say anything as she slowly and forcefully lowered her trembling hands. Her teeth were grinding against each other as she slowly and shakily turned to look at him. Tears streamed down her face as her petrified look worsened.
"T-T-They…" She barely whispers as she starts to have a severe panic attack. "T-They f-found m-me…" She choked out before covering her mouth again, deeply digging her claws into her already scratched face again.