WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SMUDGER?

CHAPTER 8: Anxious Heart

Retsu saw Smudger up ahead. He was getting closer and closer, and there were no switches or points so he couldn't turn away. He slammed on his brakes as Smudger shut his eyes.

"OO———EEERRR———!" he groaned, "GET———OUT———OF———THE———WAY!"

Smudger panicked. He wanted to run, to get out of there…

Retsu was slowing down but still coming in too fast. His driver slammed on his air brake, and the guard put on the brake coach's emergency brake.

Smudger's driver and fireman jumped clear of the cab. Smudger could feel the heat from Retsu's engine on his buffers.

Retsu almost hit Smudger head on…if Smudger had not suddenly started puffing away backwards. Retsu grinded to a halt as Smudger puffed away backwards into the night…

San was surprised when he woke that morning to find that Smudger wasn't in the shed.

The Old Controller said that his goods were delivered on time, and that Retsu was held up at the signal box because the signalman was asleep, and nobody knew where Smudger went after he delivered the goods.

"We must find him," said the Old Controller sternly, "Candy-chan, you will check the dam, Naruka-san will check the mines, and Edward Mann-san will check the mountains."

Candy was already in steam and was ready to go. "I don't see why we should though," she said, "The Old Controller could just buy another engine."

After getting told off by San, she hurriedly puffed away.

She soon arrived at Chidori Dam. It was a very large dam, and had a small blue diesel that lived and worked on it. His name was Damu, and he was pulling some trucks filled with equipment when Candy arrived.

"Damu-san," she gasped, "Have you seen Smudger anywhere?"

Damu blinked in confusion. "Who is Smudger?" he asked.

"Erm…have you seen a small green engine anywhere?"

"No I haven't, sorry…"

Candy sighed, and puffed across the dam o continue her search.

Naruka had checked the mines, with no luck. He asked the mine tram, Maiku, if he had seen him, but that was no help. He did mention seeing him yesterday, in the afternoon, but other than that…

San was checking the valley when he came upon a signal box. Inside, the signalman was talking to Smudger's driver and fireman. San looked down at the rails. He could see large scratches on the adaptor rails that stretched far off out of view. He looked up at the signal, which was still at "Danger".

Now, San is a smart engine. He can be bigheaded and bossy, but was also kind and smart. And just by looking around at these things, he could figure out what happened. He puffed away to find a turntable.

Smudger awoke and gasped. He did not know how he got where he is, but he had somehow found his way up to the top of the mountain, and was stuck in a pile of mud. Or, his cab was anyway.

He could see down the mountain and looked at everything below. He could see a huge dam, with Candy puffing across. He could see far off past his railway and saw something horrible.

Far off from the dam, there was what used to be a city. But now it had been reduced to black ash and dirt. He could see people walking around with their children, all looking for food and shelter.

Smudger choked back tears. He couldn't believe it. There WAS a war. And now, he could see what it had done…

San made his way up the mountain. He soon came across Smudger, who was stuck in a pile of mud. Or maybe it was his cab. But he was worried when he saw Smudger's face.

"Smudger?" he asked, "What's wrong…?"

"…that…" said Smudger meekly.

San looked back, and he saw the disaster as well. He stared for a while, looking at the tragedy before finally sighing and buffering up to Smudger.

"Come on," he puffed, "Let's get back home…"

Neither engine spoke as they made it back down and through the valley. They were both horrified on what they had seen. They avoided each other's eyes as they puffed into the shed.

Candy and Naruka were there, both having already seen what had happened. The Old Controller was there as well, looking grim.

"Tokyo, Japan was bombed last night," he said with a soft sign, "and for the rest of the month, we will help in the restoration of the city. The war is over…"

TO BE FRIGGIN CONTINUED