Once poor Luke's sobs had died down again, the trio fell into silence.
"I guess we better have you taken to the Steamworks so that your eyes can be looked at." Skarloey said wryly. He still felt angry at what Duncan had said, but he didn't want to comment any further on it.
"Aye," Agreed Duncan, solemnly.
"Wait, Skarloey!" Luke exclaimed, suddenly remembering something very important he had to get taken care of.
"Yes, Luke?" Asked Skarloey.
"If you're taking Duncan to the Steamworks, could you get my friend Smudger in too, please? He really needs an overhaul."
"I'll do my best, Luke." Said the old engine wearily.
"Thank you," Luke sighed with relief. "He's hiding in the Upper Terrace of the quarry."
"Right, noted." Old Faithful answered. He glanced at Luke's tiny form, quivering in the tunnel.
"And, another thing…"
"Yes?"
"When is Mr. Percival leaving the quarry?"
This question caught Skarloey off guard. "My dear engine, why do you want to know that?" He asked gently.
"I… I feel that I should tell the others. About what's going on." Luke explained in a small voice. He really, really wished his crew were here right now. He shivered sadly, trying hard to fight back the tears forming in his eyes.
It was just then when Peter Sam chuffed around the corner, a broad grin lighting up his face.
"Mr. Percival's left- the coast is clear!" He trilled cheerfully; before noting the saddened expressions on his friends' faces. Luke in particular looked very melancholy. He was suddenly confused, and his smile faded away.
Surely this was good news, right?
"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice now filled with apprehension. "Surely… you'd want to"-
"Peter Sam, fetch the others, please." Skarloey interrupted him sternly.
Fear tugged at Peter Sam's firebox at the firm tone of his normally kind and cheerful friend; but he nonetheless went to obey. "Ok, Skarloey," He replied, as he reversed to find their friends.
….
Once the other engines had been rounded up and brought to the tunnel, Luke confided in them about his suicidal feelings, as well as his desire to commit suicide.
By the time he had finished, Peter Sam was sobbing Rusty and Rheneas were fighting back tears, and struggling; even Sir Handel was unnerved, as he was now gnawing at his lip.
Skarloey coughed politely, causing the others to look at him, expecting him to say something, to have some plan how to help their poor friend. But for once, in all his 152 years of living, he didn't know what to say or do.
Luke remained huddled in the tunnel, somehow looking even smaller and more fragile than usual; like a little bird with broken wings.
"You're…. you're not going to do it, are you?" Peter Sam asked their friend tearfully through his sobs.
"I don't know…" Luke replied, feeling close to crying again himself, "I feel that it's the only way to end the pain I'm feeling… Plus, I feel like I'm just a burden to you all. The heaviest biggest burden an engine could possibly take!"
Skarloey grew alarmed, but nonetheless tried hard to remain calm and collected, "Luke, we can't deny hiding you here is difficult… but you're our friend, and you're one of our family now. If you must face the darkest depths of your mind, let us help you find your way out of it."
Luke just stared down at his buffers. "Where's Duncan?" He asked, timorously.
"How could you be concerned about Duncan after what he said?" The old engine burst out.
"I know what he said was unkind, Skarloey… but I know Duncan better than that, or I like to think I do. There's goodness in everyone, and he's been good to me, in his own way. Besides, I can't bear grudges." Luke tried to smile, but it fell flat rapidly.
"Skarloey, I know you're concerned about my wellbeing, but please, don't be so harsh on Duncan- no matter what anyone says, I'm the reason he's blind, and it must be terrifying for him to not be able to see- he may never be able to see the faces of those he's known for years, and all because he rescued someone he's only known for a few months..."
This struck the old leader as he considered his friend's words. Luke did sound hurt by Duncan's betrayal, but he hadn't expected the little green engine to try and keep fighting for Duncan even when he was considering giving up his own fight.
He looked at Rheneas, who was struck with silent admiration as well as heartbreak and horror.
"Skarloey, what do you make of this?" The No. 2 engine asked in a doubtful whisper. "What Duncan said would be pretty hard to forgive- especially considering Luke's feeling so low…"
"I don't know, Rheneas." Skarloey replied. "He did say he was sorry… I think he was more scared than anything… but then, those thoughts seemed pretty specific…" murmured Skarloey in reply.
"But why, Luke? He said he wanted you gone!" A loud voice burst out, interrupting the two brothers.
"He didn't want me dead, Sir Handel!" Luke snapped suddenly. "I'm the one that wants me to die. If I do decide to die, I don't want to do it hating Duncan for what he said to me."
"Are you sure?" The blue engine asked uncertainly.
"Yes," Luke replied. "I've never been more certain in my life."
...
Later, Duncan was angrily biffing the trucks. He was still blind, and now feeling as though he had betrayed Luke's trust.
"Hm, maybe you should get a doctor or something, mate." A workman suggested to Duncan's driver. "He can't be having that much fun playing Blind Man's Bluff with the trucks all the time."
Duncan wheeshed furiously at the comment, making the workman cringe.
"Sorry Duncan- I didn't mean to offend you."
"Pah!" Snorted the Scottish locomotive, although he knew the workman was right- he didn't like working with the trucks and not being able to see anything they were planning to do.
Just then he heard an engine arrive, although Duncan couldn't see who it was and grew cross- he hoped it wasn't Skarloey, as he didn't want another lecture about his unkindness earlier.
"If that's you, Skarloey, then ye can get lost!" He hissed rudely.
"It's not Skarloey- I'm Peter Sam." A voice corrected gently, and with a roar, Duncan gave the trucks an almighty bump, sending them flying off the rails.
"What do ye want? If ye're working wi' Skarloey then leave me be!"
"What are you talking about? I came here of my own accord, Duncan- in fact, I was wanting to see if you would like some help."
"Och, will ye buzz off! Dinna fash yerself aboot me!" Growled the yellow engine, causing the green one to sigh.
"Listen, I know you're upset about being blind, and I'm sorry it had to end like this- but there's someone who would like to talk to you." Peter Sam said.
A second puffing was heard and the source of it drew up near Peter Sam. Duncan thought about who it could be- it definitely couldn't be Rusty. It wasn't Sir Handel, Rheneas or Skarloey either- it didn't sound like either of them. Peter Sam was already here, so...
"Luke?"
"That's right," A soft Irish accent whispered. "I just want to say I'm sorry for getting you blind and..."
"Och for buffer's sake! How come ye're no mad at me? I said things that no one in yer wheels can forgive! I practically said I wanted you sent away!" Duncan burst out.
He didn't see Luke shudder at the reminder, but he heard it.
"I'm angry at you, yes, I can't deny that. But I don't hate you, Duncan- I don't want to die or be sent away with a grudge against you… because you're my friend, Duncan. Friends get angry at one another, but I don't want you to be my enemy- I still want you to be my friend."
Duncan was touched by this, but he didn't know what to say. He didn't want Luke to hate him, and he was glad this wasn't the case, but he still felt terrible for the way he acted earlier.
