AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm very excited to write yet another long chapter series of fanfiction as it brings me lots of joy, and this time, it's on Eli, Rebecca's adoptive son, and this story is going to be quite intense.
I would like to shout out to ProjectAnimations from Tumblr for drawing the title cover, as she did a brilliant job, and I adore her art content!
WARNING: This story contains dark topics such as child abuse, so if you're young or sensitive to this topic, please leave and read a more wholesome fanfiction that I wrote previously, like "What You Truly See"! Viewers' discretion is HIGHLY advised!
Anyways… I don't want to get carried away about it, so... I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Chapter One: Ordinary Day
Eli Gresley Bulleid was your typical ten-year-old boy who loved to explore and make everyone smile. He was playful, imaginative, and kind. Everyone around him on Sodor adored this little boy as he knew how to make their day. He was full of sunshine and rarely had terrible days.
However, his origin was tragic as his biological parents abandoned him in the forest when he was just a defenceless infant. Luckily, he was found by a beautiful yellow tender engine named Rebecca, who took him in as her own son. Since then, he was lucky to have one big family as the engines see him as one of them. He loved his mother dearly and his father, Gordon, too. They may come from two different worlds, but together, they were one family. Eli will forever be Sodor's precious boy.
…
It was a beautiful Autumn day on the Island of Sodor. All the once fresh green leaves were now a range of red to yellow as all the animals were preparing for the upcoming Winter. All the engines were useful as usual as they were ready to welcome the snow and ice. However, Eli was the one who was looking forward to Winter the most.
…
At the Baker's house, Eli was getting ready for the day as he placed a yellow and white striped beanie on with a red scarf and green mittens. He wore a light brown coat to keep him warm as he was prepared, "You ready, Mr. Ray of Sunshine?", asked Liam, who gave the young boy a friendly smile.
"Yes!", Eli exclaimed, "I can't wait to see my mother again!"
Not long after, they heard a familiar high-pitched whistle, "Mother!", Eli screamed with delight, and he rushed out of his bedroom, darted past the kitchen and straight to the front door.
Once he opened the door, he smiled from ear to ear as he saw the familiar engine. The beautiful yellow engine gave him a gentle smile, "Good morning, Eli."
"Morning, Mum!" Eli smiled as he climbed onto her running plate and gave her a warm hug.
Rebecca giggled as she kissed her son's forehead, "Are you ready for your music lesson with Cara?"
Eli presented a silver flute in his coat pocket as he beamed, "Ready!"
"I'm glad to hear that! James and Cara will be waiting at Tidmouth Sheds.", Rebecca explained.
"Really? Is James not busy today?", Eli asked as he raised his eyebrow.
"He's off for the day, and he's the one to get Cara for you.", she replied as she giggled.
"Will I be able to see Dad, Mum?", he asked.
"You certainly will this afternoon.", Rebecca promised her son.
"Oh boy, I can't wait!", Eli squealed as he clapped his hands with delight.
Rebecca giggled again as she looked behind to see her driver, Eugene and her fireman, Liam, speaking to each other, "It looks like it's time to go. Are you ready?", she asked her son.
"Yes, Mum! I'm ready!", Eli replied happily as he hopped off her running and greeted Eugene, "Good morning, Mr. Lawrence!"
"Well, hello there.", Eugene replied as he rubbed the boy's head playfully, "Glad you greeted me. Now, are you ready to go?"
"Yep!" Eli replied as he wasted no time hopping inside Rebecca's cab.
Not long after, Eugene and Liam hopped onboard as Eugene patted Rebecca gently, "Alright, Rebecca. Let's go."
Rebecca looked behind with a big smile as he whistled merrily, "Off we go!", she exclaimed as she exited her way from Baker's house.
…
Eli popped his head to allow the Autumn breeze gently blow his face as he laughed happily. Rebecca looked back as she smiled, "You enjoying there, son?"
"The breeze tickles my face, Mum!", Eli replied as he laughed.
As they approached around the bend, Eli spotted Percy, who was delivering the mail train, "Hello, Percy!"
Percy heard Eli's voice as he looked at him with a big grin and whistled to greet him, "Good morning, Eli!"
Eli waved as Rebecca whistled to greet Percy. Once Percy was long gone, they approached Gordon's Hill. Rebecca huffed and puffed as she slowly went up the hill, "Faster! Faster!", Eli cried as he spread his arms wide.
"Now, Eli, that would be dangerous.", Rebecca cautiously reminded her son.
"Aww, but it's so much fun!", Eli whined, "James and Thomas do that!"
"I'm sure they do, but it's still not safe.", Rebecca explained gently to her son.
Before they got to the top of the hill, they heard a familiar low-pitched whistle as a big, blue, mighty engine came down the hill with a whoosh as he proudly said, "Express coming through!"
Rebecca got startled at first before she rolled her eyes with a smile, "That was Dad!", Eli exclaimed.
"That's him, alright.", Rebecca chuckled before she came down the hill.
While going down the hill, Eli squealed with delight as he cried in joy, "Whee!"
Once they were down the hill, Rebecca turned as they headed towards Knapford Station. Eli loved Knapford Station as he got to greet many engines of all sorts, and that's where he usually met his parents. Although the station was typically busy, he didn't care because seeing his family and friends being useful was what truly mattered to him.
As they approached Knapford Station, Eli spotted The Fat Controller, who was talking to a familiar blue cheeky tank engine with six small wheels, a short stumpy boiler, a short stumpy dome, and a short stumpy funnel, "Good morning, Thomas and hello Sir!"
The Fat Controller and Thomas were surprised by this before they greeted him back, "Hello, Eli!", Thomas exclaimed.
"Hello there, Eli!", The Fat Controller chuckled merrily.
There, Rebecca went passed Knapford as they were approaching to Tidmouth Sheds, "Oh boy, I can't wait to see Cara!", Eli explained to his mother happily.
"I'm glad to hear that.", Rebecca replied as she giggled motherly.
…
At Tidmouth Sheds, a twenty-one-year-old young woman with milky blue eyes, moderate brown hair was done in a low ponytail, and fair skin was strumming her red acoustic guitar as James watched her in awe. Just as Cara was about to finish her masterpiece, they heard a familiar high-pitched whistle, "Hello, Cara!", Eli yelled as he waved his hands.
Though Cara was blind, she waved back and replied, "Good morning, Eli."
"And hey, James!", Eli added as he saw the splendid red, tender engine.
"Hello, my little brother!", James smirked as Eli chuckled.
Rebecca watched the whole thing with a big smile as Eli hopped out and ran towards Cara with his flute, "I'm ready for my lesson!", he panted.
"Slow down, Eli.", Cara chuckled as Eli climbed onto James' running plate with the help of a hand from Cara.
Once Eli got up, James grinned, "Nice red scarf you got there!"
"Thank you!", Eli chuckled, "I have to wear it because it reminds me of you, big brother."
Cara and James were both touched by it. However, before James could say anything, Rebecca spoke, "Can you make sure Eli stays safe? I have to help pull some trucks."
"You can count on us, Ma'am!", James joked.
Eli and Cara chuckled as Rebecca rolled her eyes with a smile, "You'll be good, Eli?", she asked.
"Yes, Mum!", Eli replied happily.
"Alright, me and your father will meet you this afternoon at Knapford Station.", Rebecca whistled as she departed from the turntable and headed her way out.
Once Rebecca was out of sight, Cara and James paid their attention to Eli, "Are you ready for your lesson?", Cara asked kindly.
"Yes, I am!", Eli nodded.
With that, Cara grabbed her silver flute out as she wanted to test Eli's ability to play the flute. There, she started to play a piece of music as she waited to see if Eli could pick up the pace. To her and James' amazement, Eli played the flute with no trouble at all as he grinned.
"Well, Eli.", Cara said, "I must say. You have improved from day one. You should be very proud of yourself. You know how to play the flute now."
"Thank you, Cara!", Eli smiled as he blushed a bit from feeling the pride.
"I can play the flute too.", James smirked.
"Oh, really?", Eli asked with a raised eyebrow and grin.
James chuckled as he peeped his whistle loudly, "See?"
Cara and Eli laughed as Cara shook her head, "James. You're being silly."
With that, the three laughed heartily as they enjoyed each others' company. After their laughter, they settled down as Cara introduced Eli to a spare guitar, "El. Since you know how to play the flute, I think it's time for you to learn how to play the guitar."
"Wow!", Eli's eyes glistened in awe, "It looks amazing!"
Cara smiled, "This guitar was one of my collections, and I fell in love with it from the moment I saw it."
"But how did you if you can't see?", Eli asked innocently."
"Why don't you strum the guitar?", Cara suggested as she gave Eli a gentle smile.
Without a moment to spare, Eli strummed the guitar gently, and the result was beautiful and angelic music. It was music to everyone's ears, "I see. It sounds nice.", Eli understood.
"Mhm.", Cara hummed, "Now, I'll teach you how to play one of my favourite songs."
There, Eli began to listen as Cara demonstrated how to play the guitar. Eli was obedient and took every word seriously. He knew he wanted to learn how to play and show Cara he was capable. Cara believed in her student as she knew him too well. She adored his kindness, playful, and cheeky side. James also enjoyed the lesson as he would cheekily make innocent remarks or joke that his whistle was a musical masterpiece.
…
Meanwhile, at Brendam Docks, Rebecca was happy to pull some trucks with the help of Edward as she had no issue dealing with The Troublesome Trucks. As she was in the best mood, Edward approached her and smiled, "It's a lovely day, isn't it?"
"It certainly is, Edward!", Rebecca chirped.
"And I taken Eli is doing well?", he asked.
Rebecca blinked as a nod, "He certainly is, Edward, and he's been improving on playing the flute."
"That's wonderful!", Edward exclaimed, "I must hear it myself when I see him again."
Rebecca giggled as she looked at the distant sea in awe, "Edward?"
"Yes, Rebecca?", Edward replied.
"Do you honestly wish that Eli stays young forever?", she questioned him out of pure curiosity.
"As much it would be great, but humans don't last forever, I'm afraid.", Edward explained as kindly as possible without hurting her feelings, "But he's still young, so you got lots of time to spend time with him. After all, he is your son."
"I know, and he's so precious to me." Rebecca sighed as she looked at the golden sun, "Eli always makes everyone happy."
"He does, and he knows how to help others in need.", Edward added.
"Gordon and I adored him. We will do anything to protect him and make him the happiest boy on Sodor.", Rebecca smiled.
"And I'm sure he will be fine as he is strong and capable. Nothing could stop him.", Edward spoke kindly until he heard The Troublesome Trucks complaining, "Well, we better get back to work, Rebecca. We will chat more soon."
Rebecca understood as Edward left to deal with the whining trucks. All Rebecca did was gaze at the day sky as she smiled happily with a few tears escaping her eyes and whispered, "Thank you for bringing Eli into my life."
…
As hours went by, Rebecca was done with her task as Gordon completed pulling the express, and Eli was done hanging out and learning his lesson from his music teacher. Their day went well for them, and they couldn't ask for a better day. Even Gordon was surprised that his day went splendid. Everything was fine for them.
At Knapford Station, it was about four o clock, and Eli waited patiently for his parents to arrive. To his surprise, he spotted his parents coming at the same time as they looked pleased with themselves, "Mum! Dad!", Eli cried happily as he waved at them.
Gordon and Rebecca tooted their whistle as a response until they parked at the station's platform. Once all the passengers exited from the express coaches as Gordon looked at the passengers, looking rather pleased. Once all the passengers were gone, Eli went up to his parents and spoke, "How was your day?"
"It was good, my son!", Gordon replied proudly, "The express went well!"
"It was lovely, and my job was pretty easy.", Rebecca added, "And how's your music lesson?"
"Terrific!", Eli exclaimed, "Cara said I played the flute well, and I get to play one of her favourite guitars!"
"That's great!", Rebecca smiled.
"If you don't mind, would you play the flute for us?", Gordon asked.
Eli nodded as he grabbed out his flute and played a lovely piece of music. Rebecca and Gordon smiled gently as they enjoyed the piece of music. The music seemed beautiful, but it didn't just attract them. Among the passengers was a woman with ebony black hair with grey streaks, and hazel green eyes, wearing dramatic golden hoop earrings and a dirty red long-sleeved dress.
She turned her attention as she watched with curiosity, but her face seemed to suggest that she wasn't interested in it. She observed it like an eagle watching its prey as she wondered why a boy was playing the flute to the engines. Once Eli was done, Gordon chuckled as Rebecca exclaimed, "Well done, Eli!"
"Thanks, Mum! I worked so hard on it!", Eli flustered as he smiled.
When that occurred, the woman gasped in disbelief and horror as she watched the boy hugging the engine he called "mum" as she kissed his forehead. Engines raising kids? That sounds preposterous. When she saw the heartwarming interaction, she felt pure hate as she glared and growled.
To her eyes, this wasn't right. Engines shouldn't raise human kids as they should work on the railway. However, the two engines paid no attention to the situation as they showered their love on their precious son. Nothing could ever break their bond, but to the woman's eyes, this should be dealt with, fast and permanently.