Snow Storm : Chapter 14
After the incident with the cats at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Joy and Tim were in some kind of probation. Joy wasn't even sure if volunteers could be in some kind of probations, but they were. In other words, they were not allowed to work without supervision from either the engines or older humans around 15 and up. Not it was any problem for both children though.
Tim could talk for hours to entertain himself while Joy busy herself with any job that was given to her. All in all, everything should've been good, all's well.
Except for one night when the winter storm hits Sodor hard.
Joy was in her bed when the snow storm hits. It rattled the windows and her door, waking her up at around 1 a.m. Joy groaned, this was not good. First, the volunteers will be mostly ask to repair the damage the storm cause, second, now Joy couldn't get another wink of sleep in until the storm was gone.
Joy at her young 9 years old of life, can't comprehend why she was so afraid of snow storm but knew it brings somewhat bad memories that she couldn't recall but couldn't get rid of either.
At times like this she wished she was sleeping in Edward's cab, it always brings her some comfort and protection from the outside world. But then again.. Joy wouldn't want to wake Edward up because of her needs. She was 9 years old, Joy thought she could've take care of some little things of her need without someone's help and don't bother them with every little things.. Even though Duck and Edward had made it clear that she could've gone to her guardians for everything no matter how small it seems.. Joy couldn't bring herselfs to bother them, they have works to do, timetables on top from taking care of her as her guardians. She really didn't want to bother them more.
When the snow storm was getting worse though, Joy might need to rethink about that. She was so afraid, that was for sure, but Joy can't really get out from her room and went to Tidmouth Shed by her own. But when the storm was threatening enough to rattle her windows and door so much, Joy was too afraid to think straight.
Joy stood and grabbed her coat, her boots, her newsboy cap, and anything else that she could put on to withstand the snow storm before going outside her room and soon was greeted by harsh snow storm whipping around her body and face. But Joy only had one thing on her mind right now.
Get to Tidmouth Shed, find Edward, and get to sleep before morning.
With only that in mind, even with the biting cold, Joy forced herselfs forward and ran against the snow storm to Tidmouth Shed.
The steam engines at Tidmouth Shed didn't have anymore luck than Joy. None of them could fall asleep again after being woken up with a loud 'bang', no doubt it's one of the big things on the roof that has fallen down again.
"I hate snow storms." James had commented, and the steam engines were all agreed.
"Edward? What's wrong?" Thomas asked his former mentor who looked distant.
Edward sighed, "I'm worry about Joy, Thomas. She fears snow storms.."
The engines let that sink in before Emily asked, "You don't think she'll actually sleep in through the snow storms?"
Every engines even Gordon, look at her with unreadable look, "Even WE can't sleep through the snow storm. What made you think she'll sleep through one?" Gordon asked incredulously.
Emily look embarrassed at that, "Is just that.. if she actually awake, wouldn't it be terrifying for her? We're maybe afraid, but we're together. She's alone in her room."
Everyone fell silent at that. But before anyone speak up, a tiny door for humans suddenly were banged open from the rushed wind, and from all the snow came out…
"Joy!" Everyone exclaimed in surprised and concern. The girl was positively shivering from the cold, trembling in fear, and glassy eyes who immediately zeroed in on Edward.
Joy sobbed and immediately ran to Edward, seeking comfort even though she had tried to restrain herself to not to before, but her resolve failed after going through that horrible snow storm. Edward, even though confused and surprised to see her here, immediately comfort her while nuzzling her and whispering soothing assurance.
No one ever know why Joy was so scared of snow storms, but one thing for sure, this one was bad enough to make her ran all the way from Knapford to Tidmouth Shed in raging snow storm.
No one dared to speak and let the duo to get some kind of privacy by letting their eyes wander away from the two. Edward's comfort words somewhat failing when Joy was still sobbing uncontrollably.
"I-I was t-trying (sob) Ed-Edward… but-but I'm scared! I c-can't! I just-" Joy keeps sobbing and spoke incoherently, while Edward was trying his best to understand what she's saying and offered comfort at the same time. His heart breaks seeing her look so.. broken, so scared. As if her fear of snow storms was her own fault, which was definitely not.
"Hey, hey.. it's alright Joy. It's alright.." he soothed.
"No, it's not! I'm scared, Edward! Dad, I-"
"There's nothing wrong of being afraid, Joy.." he gently cut her rant off, "Besides, from what I see, you were actually really brave."
Joy took a moment to progress what he had said before looking up with teary eyes, "Wha-?"
"It's true." Edward said, "Yes, you were afraid of the snow storms, but you braced and went through one to came here! That's an admirably feat, even though I'm not approved because it's dangerous, but the point is.. you don't let that fear to defeat you, and that is brave, Joy. You should be proud, because I am." He smiled warmly to the girl.
"But-.." Joy was still sobbing, "I came here to seek comfort from you! Even though I told myself I shouldn't but I did anyway.."
"Joy.." Edward said again, more firm but still loving, "You can always come to me to seek comfort or for anything else. You don't need to be hesitant to seek comfort from me."
"Whoever was it to put that kind of thought inside your head anyway?" Gordon can't help but said. He maybe a grouch most of the times, but everyone has a soft spot with their resident young human girl, and his water boiled at the though of someone tried to bully her again.
Joy sniffled and hiccoughed, "My friends are independent… T-They said we shouldn't burden our parents and guardians more after what you all did to us.. I-I don't want to be a burden to anyone.. I just-" she trailed off, but Edward picked up on her line of thought before softly saying,
"Is that why you volunteer, dear?"
Joy nodded while pressing her face to Edward's side face, burying her tears and trying to stop it but failing.
"But Joy.. you're not a burden." Emily said, "None of the kids were a burden to their families."
"How do you know?" Joy said a little bitterly, "You are not humans.."
Edward jostled her slightly as a scolding before saying, "Now that is not fair, Joy.. Humans.. Engines.. yes, we are different, but we all have feelings and thoughts and we're not that different. We are more alike than what everyone might think. Yes, we might not be humans, but as far as anyone can tell, we might have functioned like one."
Joy look ashamed at that, "I-I'm sorry.. I didn't mean.."
"It's alright Joy.. No harm done." Emily assured, "Why don't you sleep here for tonight? Edward can take you back to Knapford tomorrow morning in time for your morning brief."
"And we'll protect you from the snow storm tonight, dear. Go to sleep, alright?" Edward said softly and keep nuzzling her while Joy dried her tears and shuffled to Edward's cab. Falling asleep was never more that easy than every other nights when she sleeps alone in her room.
Joy was exhausted, and she quickly falls asleep, yes. But night terrors were cruel and was even more crueller when their host was beyond exhausted.
Edward and the other engines woke up when they heard Joy's screaming in her sleep.
Engines were not flexible, but Edward can feel Joy shaking and crying in her sleep so he whispered some comfort words, but it was to no avail until Joy was wide awake again.
Still sniffling and hiccups, she murmured, "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to-" her sobs cut her off, but the engines knew what she meant.
"Shhh, It's alright, Joy. You're safe. It's okay. You're okay. And yes, you can come to us- or me at anytime. It's alright, Joy, you won't burden us, I promise." Edward soothed.
"You can't promise that.." she hiccuped.
"For others maybe, no. But for me, that's a promise, Joy. Please don't be afraid to seek me, especially when you need to. It's hard to see you hurting, dear.." Edward replied gently and patiently.
"But that's just it.. I-I don't know why I'm hurting.. I don't know why I'm so afraid of snow storms.. It doesn't make sense! All this nightmares- and now I woke you all up when you have work to do in the morning.. I-I just.. I don't-" her sobs was anew, but she tried to reign it in, "I shouldn't have come here.." she tried to get off the cab, but Edward jostled her lightly to make her stay at the cab.
"Now what did I say? It is okay to seek me for help or for anything, Joy. It won't trouble me, I promise." Edward promised, but even he couldn't see Joy shook her head and just lay down to sleep. Too tired to argue and just too distraught to agree.
When Edward noticed her even breathing and lack of sobbing, he realized Joy had fallen asleep again. He sighed heavily. He had a feeling that she still don't understand and the other engines shared his sympathy.
"You did good Edward. It just.. takes some time." Henry said.
Edward hoped it was the truth..
Morning came and Edward true to his words, carry Joy back to Knapford Station. Many of the volunteers already gather but it seems no one look any better than Joy. Joy looked like she didn't get any sleep at all, and so did many other humans. Even the engines weren't any better.
Edward wasn't even close to assure Joy she could ask for help, and Joy wasn't even talking since morning. When Joy hop down from his cab, he didn't think she would turn around and sighed heavily on his wheels. But to his surprise, Joy came to the front and smiled slightly even in her weary state. She only said one thing,
"Thank you, Edward." She kissed his cheek lightly so he wouldn't worry before going to the morning briefing. Edward sagged a little in relief. She looks okay but he knew better.
Joy should've known that her guardians will always worry about her, it comes with the territory.
A.N : this chapter probably more suited as one-shot kind of thing, but.. oh well. Hope you all enjoy it, hope you can wait patiently for the next chapter, and thank you for sticking through until now, hope you all stay safe out there.