AUTHOR'S NOTE: You have no idea how thrilled I am to write this fanfiction as I have been planning it for so long, and I always wanted to make more chapter series for fanfiction like I did on "Two Kingdoms with One Forbidden Love", or "Time to Heal and Think" as I enjoy doing this kind of stuff.
Now, before I begin presenting my first chapter of "What You Truly See", this is NOT a direct rip-off, or did I copy the idea on this wonderful author, Kudo Yuichi, with her story, "Keeping Her Close" as this story is not about a child being adopted by engines, but rather a story of a wholesome friendship between a blind girl and James the Red Engine. If you don't believe me, you're more than welcome to ask her, and she will reply honestly.
I should also note that the reason I wanted to write this is that me being autistic; despite the main character being blind, I always wanted to write a story about a character with a disability that wanted something that many people in the disability community yearned for. Acceptances.
Also, I would like to shoutout to SeaSwine from Twitter from drawing the title cover as she did a marvellous job. I would also like to shout out to Steam from Twitter for giving me a title idea. Thank you so much, and bless you!
Anyways… I don't want to get carried away about it, so... I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Chapter One: Starting The Day
The buzzing of the alarm noise kept pestering at 7:00 am on such a fine Monday morning as the ten-year-old girl groaned and tossed herself away from the annoying alarm. She knew she had to get up, but the ringing of the buzz from the alarm clock made it difficult to do so. After a minute of the battle, she navigated her way to try to find the alarm as she slammed the button, which silenced the dreadful noise.
Once that was over, the girl slowly rose from her bed, and she let out a quiet yawn while stretching her arms out wide like the sun. There, she began to open her greyish milky blue eyes as she felt much better to let out a good morning stretch and yawn to start seizing the day. As she got up, she felt the warmth from the sunlight on her fair skin as she could hear the birds chirping at her bedroom window. She preferred hearing the birds singing in harmony over the alarm, yet she knew too well that it would help her remind her what time it was.
Just before she could take any action, she heard a motherly voice calling, "Cara! Your breakfast is ready, sweetie!"
"Coming, Mum!", the girl replied as she started to get ready for the day.
With that, she hopped off her bed, and she managed to put her feet in cosy flower bed slippers. Once that was done, a welcome bark greeted her as she giggled, "Good morning, Stella."
Stella replied with a merry bark as the German Shepherd cross Labrador lunged at the girl with such joy and licked her face, "Stella! Stella, stop! I got to get ready for school!", she laughed uncontrollably Stella wouldn't stop giving her puppy kisses.
After a few seconds of Stella licking Cara's face, she got off gently as she gave a little whimper. Cara thanked her as she got up and hugged her canine friend. After embracing her, she gently grabbed Stella's night-themed collar as the dog led her the way to the kitchen. Cara could smell the aroma of fresh fried eggs and warm toasts as she was now eager to have her breakfast.
When she arrived at the kitchen, Cara thanked her dog as she went to hop on the table's chair and waited for her delicious egg toasts with some vitamin C drink as an extra. As she waited, her mother walked towards the table with a genuine smile upon her face as she presented her daughter her favourite breakfast, "Good morning, Cara. Good to see you rise and shine."
"Thanks, Mum. You know I can easily make myself one.", Cara explained with a beaming smile as she wasted no time consuming her breakfast.
"I know, but since it's a school day, getting ready for education is your top priority.", Cara's mother reminded her as she headed to the kitchen sink to start filling it for the dirty dishes.
Cara knew her mother was right, but she felt like her mother did a lot for her despite her condition. However, she knew that her mother did everything she could to provide for her as much as possible. She felt forever grateful, but she was more thankful that her mother loved her unconditionally and would be there for her. As she enjoyed her lovely meal, Cara's mother asked, "Today, you have Mrs. Woodwind teaching your music lesson, right?"
When she mentioned that, Cara felt the burst of joy as she admitted school could be challenging, but if there was one subject that could save the day, it was Music. She was always passionate about it since she was a toddler, and Cara really enjoyed learning new instruments and notes as she liked to try something new and challenging. One of her favourite instruments was the acoustic guitar that her grandmother gave her as a gift, and it was old and precious, "Yes, and I'm so excited about it!", she squealed happily, "She promised to teach me and the class on how to play the violin!"
"Oh, now that sounds exciting, dear.", Cara's mother smiled as she headed her way to collect the now empty plate and cup, "You know. I used to play the violin, but I forgot."
"Really?", Cara asked in pure curiosity.
Cara's mother hummed with a nod as she walked to the now filled soapy sink as she began to wash the dishes, "Yes, but since working at a florist, it's pretty hard to get the chance to practice again, but I bet you will learn faster than me as you are the Music Angel here."
"Mum.", she whined a bit of embarrassment as she chuckled, "You know it took me a while to learn how to play the flute."
"I know. I was only teasing.", Cara's mother giggled as she dried the dishes and headed towards her daughter, "Now, I'll be in your room within a minute to start your day at school. Until then, your lunch is at the kitchen counter along with your weekend's homework."
Cara nodded as she jumped off the chair and started to get ready for school, "Okay."
…
After thirty minutes of preparation for school, Cara was dressed in her school attire, which contained a white shirt with a black tie around her neck, a blue jacket with a Dryaw's school logo and yellow outline, a black school skirt, a long pair of white socks and a pair of polished black shoes. Once that was done, her mother brushed and combed her daughter's moderate chocolate brown hair as she tied a low ponytail. For a final touch, Cara placed a yellow headband on her head gently as she was ready to go.
Before she left to fetch her flower-themed backpack, which contained her books, homework, and lunch, her mother cried, "Honey, do you need your glasses and your white cane?"
"Yes, Mother.", she replied as she managed her way to her bedroom cupboard to place her dark pair of sunglasses on as her mother presented her white cane, "Thank you!"
Once she was settled, Cara fastened her backpack as she used her white cane to navigate her surroundings, but she was too familiar with her home as she knew not much had changed unless her mother pre-warned her of the changes in the rooms. Cara put on a happy smile as her eyes glistened. She was eager to learn, but she was more excited about Mrs. Woodwind's lesson than anything. Music was her passion, and nothing could change her mind.
As she felt the excitement, she heard Stella barking with such glee while pawing at the front window, for she knew that every time her dog was barking with such joy and speed, it would be 7:45 am, which means it was time for her to leave so her mother could drop her off at Knapford Station. With that, she managed her way to the front door as she turned the cool door handle and opened it. Once it was open, her mother caught up as Stella came along.
When she exited the house, she could smell the fresh daisies and other types of flowers planted by her and her mother not so long ago as she allowed the sunlight to warm her body to boost her energy. She loved feeling the sun as it gave her such confidence and joy as she swore she heard bees buzzing around to pollinate some nectars from the flowers.
With such positive vibes surrounding her, she gave Stella a big cuddle, "I'll be back soon, girl! I promise."
Stella responded with a small whimper as she gave her a gentle lick on her cheek. She didn't want Cara to go, but she knew she had school, which was very important for her. There, she bid farewell to her dog as Cara's mother led her dog back inside the house, shut the door as they headed their way to her mother's car so they could leave from Wellsworth to Knapford as soon as possible before the train leaves at 8:00 am.
…
"Your next train to Dryaw will depart within five minutes. I repeat, your next train to Dryaw will depart within five minutes.", announced the speaker at Knapford Station.
Cara held her mother's hand when they both stood with other kids with their mother or father. Many of the kids were either thrilled or not so excited about school, but what they were genuinely excited about was to be with their friends. As they waited for their train with their coaches to arrive, Cara's mother spoke to her daughter, "Okay, sweetheart. I hope you have a wonderful day at school, and if there's any trouble, please let me know."
Cara nodded as she looked up to her mother and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll be alright.", she assured her.
"Alright, I'm just making sure.", Cara's mother explained as she pecked her daughter's cheek.
Just then, they heard a high-pitched whistle and steam being gasped loudly as the blue tank engine parked next to the platform where all the students were waiting. The two coaches were ready to present as all the kids wasted no time to say goodbye to their parents and ran inside the coaches. Cara was the last one to enter inside the coach, but before doing so, she looked at her mother and waved, "Goodbye, Mum! See you soon."
"Bye, sweetie! Have a good day! I love you!", Cara's mother yelled as she waved back.
"Love you too!", Cara exclaimed as she used her white cane to head her way to the coach.
As she did so, the porter offered her to lead the way to the coach's entrance, but Cara declined his offer politely as she managed her way to the door and hopped inside the coach before the door was shut behind her. With that, she heard the guard blow a high-pitched whistle, which hurt her sensitive ears as she listened to the whistle from the engine. There, Cara found an empty seat next to a window. She opened the window and allowed the breeze to come in.
"Another day at school with not many opportunities and acceptance. Sure.", she sighed to herself sadly before she allowed the wind to soothe her and not let those thoughts dwell on her mind as she wanted to start afresh day, despite sitting alone and having only the wind, the sound of nature, and the engine puffing their pistons as her company.
...
As hours flew by on such a peaceful yet busy railway on The Island of Sodor, many of the engines were very pleased with themselves for either having a job they enjoyed or getting a task that could prove their owner, The Fat Controller, on how really useful they are. All was swell until afternoon came by when The Fat Controller exited from his office to chat with one of the engines. He called out, "Good afternoon, James."
"Good afternoon, Sir.", James replied as his dashing red livery shined with the number five presented on each side of his tender.
"Now, I have an exceptional job for you for this afternoon.", The Fat Controller explained to the red engine.
This made James grin from buffer to buffer. He always loved getting "important jobs" as it not only made him look really useful but made himself look grand and important, even though he was more of a cocky than boastful, "Oh, of course, Sir! I can do the important job!", he assured him with such enthusiasm, "What's the job?"
"Well, unfortunately, Thomas got into an accident due to a faulty signal occurring, and now he's at The Steamworks.", The Fat Controller explained sadly.
James was horrified about this. Out of all the engines, it was his cheeky blue tank engine that he fell in love with and got together. There, James frowned and asked, "I-is he okay, Sir?"
The Fat Controller smiled gently, "Of course he is, and since you're the only available engine for the task. I thought you could do Thomas and me a big favour."
James was curious yet a little bit worried as usually, Thomas would pull Annie and Clarabel at his branch line, or he would deliver items from Brendam Docks. However, James was willing to help Thomas, "And what's the favour?"
"I would like you to collect the children from Dryaw's School by three in the afternoon and drop them off here at Knapford Station.", The Fat Controller replied.
James was both surprised and a little disappointed. He thought he would get a big job, yet he knew this was for Thomas. So, James slightly frowned before he realised that he was collecting children from school. This made him delighted as he enjoyed the children admiring his shiny red paintwork and showing off. With that, James gave the best enthusiastic smile and replied, "Of course, Sir! You can count on me!"
"That's a good engine.", The Fat Controller smiled as he placed his hands on his hips, "Now, you should get your coaches in a few minutes as it's nearly time for school to be finished.
With that, the slightly overweight man with a suit and a top hat covering his bald head went back to his office as James was eager to pick the children up from school and take them back to Knapford. There, he got his lovely red coaches attached to him as the guard blew out a whistle. With that, he puffed down the track as he made a grand exit like Gordon would, "Take a look who's coming down the track?" he cried cheerfully as he puffed away from Knapford Station and tooted his whistle.
What James didn't know was that today would be the day that something would change for the better and meet someone that he would never expect in his entire life is on the railway. For now, he was happy and content with the job The Fat Controller gave him.
