Chapter Three: South of Heaven
The Smelters Yard on the Other Railway, where there is a constant rain of sparks and raging hellfire. Deep inside the darkest part of this unforgiving place of torture, a lone engine sits silent and unconscious amongst the bones of its former comrades in arms. The lone engine is Molly, the yellow Claud Hamilton. Having disappeared in the middle of a dark, sinister fog the night before, the poor engine somehow ended up at the Smelters Yard undetected. Two workmen had noticed the unconscious engine amongst the debris. "What do you make of that, Bill?" The first workman asked, scratching his head. "Fuck if I know, Tom." Bill shrugged.
"Is it on the roster?" he asked. Tom the workman flicked through his pages on his clipboard, looking for a match on the engine type.
"No, mate." Said Tom. "There's nothing on the roster about us scrapin' or meltin' down a Claud Hamilton or anything. And this one's not even dead." The workmen were perplexed.
"Bloody mystery how it got here." Tom continued. Molly started to come around. She opened her eyes just a fraction. She was unable to make out any details, aside from dark figures and mountains of scrap around her. The two burly workmen chattered on, barely noticing that Molly was coming around… or the strange shape moving behind them.
"Probably those fuckin' kids on Sodor having a laugh or something, stashin' her here like fuckin' garbage." Bill the workman chortled. "We'd better take this up to the foreman."
"Yeah, we wouldn't wanna be scrapin' this…" Tom was suddenly startled. "Fuck me, what is that?" Bill looked around and was horrified at the sight of a ghastly metallic grabber claw bearing down on them.
"Oh, FUCKIN' HELL!" Bill screamed. Both men tried to run but the giant claw descended upon them and began tearing them to pieces. Molly was still fading in and out of consciousness. She still couldn't make out anything; it all appeared to be muted shade of black. The two men were being horribly maimed and tossed around like rag dolls by the demonic claw; their screams were cancelled out by the incredible cacophony of machines and men hard at work. Giant ceiling cranes lifting metal pieces into vats of molten steel, Iron works diesels chugging up and down the line with more engines to slaughter and workmen cutting larger pieces down to size for easier transport. The attack of the two poor men finally ended, both of them dying horribly. Their lifeless bodies were then dragged into the darkness by the evil claw. Molly finally regained complete consciousness; her innocent eyes were spared the worst of the senseless violence. Molly surveyed the environment, hoping to remember any familiar landscape cues. Sadly, she saw none. Molly started to panic as she saw the endless piles of scrap that were almost consumed her. She wanted to get out but she couldn't. Molly's fire was dead and so was her crew. She was now consumed by something else – pure fucking fear. "HELP!" Molly yelled with all her might. "Somebody bloody help me!" she cried out but the noise from inside the Smelters Yard blocked out her frantic cries.
"HELP ME!" Molly screamed as loud as she could.
"There's no use crying, my dear." A dark voice croaked. Molly shuddered in terror. Her eyes darted around the room, hoping to find the source of the voice. "Whose there?" Molly quivered. The dark voice cackled. "Who the fuck are you?" Molly tried to find strength in her helpless situation.
"My my, aren't we the impatient one?" The dark voice laughed. "But I do beg your pardon; I've completely forgotten my manners." Then, a dark mass slowly emerged from out of the shadows. It was a big black engine. Rust had eaten away at its boiler and it appeared to be missing vital parts. Attached to its tender was the same mechanical claw that had maimed the two workmen, it was stained with blood. The engine smiled evilly at the terror stricken Molly. "The name's Matthias. Matthias the C38 class engine. At your service." Molly shuddered with fright.
"You… you're the one that kidnapped me." she stammered.
"Very perceptive of you." Matthias scoffed.
"Where's my crew?" Molly demanded. "And why am I in this horrible place?"
"One thing at a time, my dear." Said Matthias coolly. "Your crew is a little indisposed at the moment." Molly was horrified.
"You killed them?" She whimpered. "You murdered them, you sick fuck!"
"Murder is such an ugly word." Matthias remarked. "Let's just say, I merely swept them aside. They saw my face; I had no choice but to kill them. But then again, you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs." Matthias snickered. Molly was sickened.
"That is just… vile." Molly groaned.
"It's a necessary evil." Matthias reiterated. "There are no shortcuts around it."
"You still haven't answered my other question." Molly moaned. "Why have you brought me here?"
"Pushy, aren't you?" Matthias sneered. He took a deep breath to calm down. "You really want to know why I brought you're here?"
"Yes!" Molly chuffed loudly.
"Very well." Matthias said softly. "First, you must know I am. Long ago, my physical body had died from a… unforeseen circumstance. My engineers turned their backs on me, just like everyone else did. They destroyed me, leaving my systems wide open until my boiler literally burst at the seams. I didn't die straight away. There I laid on the rusted tracks, in complete agony as my life slipped away from my buffers. I felt my ghost rise from the mass of twisted steel. I watched my corpse was shipped away to some unknown destination. As much as wanted to leave, my soul was bound to that accursed shed. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to. But when my old friend Henry and his slut girlfriend Emily decided to make that place their own, it opened up an opportunity for me. If other engines were going make that shed their own, then they would suffer from my wrath. That Great Western engine was the first to feel my fury and, if circumstances still played in my favour, he wasn't going to be the last." Molly was informed of the terrible accident that had crippled Duck for those long five months. Like all the others, she prayed that Duck would pull through. She wasn't told who was responsible for the attack; all Duck could say was that the engine was pure evil.
"Duck certainly felt your wrath." Molly puffed. "He almost died because your actions."
"He was sleeping on hallowed ground." Matthias sniffed. "My hallowed ground. No one was ever allowed to sleep in my berth, even when I was truly alive. I merely forced the issue so the others will understand."
"You are sick." Molly spat.
"Hardly." Matthias remained cool. "And in case you were wondering, there was a reason behind your "snatch and grab". I once saw you at the Bed and Breakfast, showering to your hearts content. I immediately saw how damaged you were on the inside. It was just a passing glance but that was it."
"Wait a minute." Molly suddenly remembered. "That was you?"
"Aaah, you do remember!" Matthias smiled.
"You were that ghastly black mass I saw at the Bed and Breakfast!" Molly thought back. "I still remember those horrible red eyes."
"I hope I didn't give you nightmares." Matthias chuckled.
"Too many." Molly scoffed. Matthias laughed maniacally.
"Anyway." He continued. "Even back then; I immediately saw that you were like me. Even as I wondered alone, I've watched you as you struggled through your meaningless life. The engines made fun of you, especially that Scottish slut Emily. I've seen you been beaten down before, broken by your peers for being weak and fragile. You're just like me."
"Except I've never murdered anyone." Molly sneered.
"Well, there is that." Said Matthias. "Ever since my former pal Henry and his religious cohorts evicted me from that shed, my soul wondered aimlessly about this Island. I wanted to wreak my vengeance on those… engines. But I couldn't do it without a physical body. That's when I remembered this place; this dear little place just south of heaven. I felt right at home here, with so many of my former brothers and sisters in steel being torn down for scrap. By an amazing stroke of luck, my old boiler wasn't melted down, but it was heavily cannibalized. My vital parts stripped from me, either melted down or used as replacement parts for those Goddamn engines. I was mad. I wanted my old parts back and I wanted to get them back, by any means necessary."
"So that's why you stole that grabber claw from Diesel 10." Molly chuffed.
"Exactly!" Matthias exclaimed. "My plot isn't just about revenge, it's also about re-creation. My physical body is far from being whole, as you can see. Using this grabber I stole from that despicable Diesel, I will systematically cannibalize parts from every engine that reaped from my demise. Their parts are my parts. I will take back what rightfully belongs to me, stealing two of everything. Driving wheels, Walschaerts valve gears, coupling rods. Once I am complete again, I shall take my fury to everyone on that Island. All of Sodor will burn under my wheels as I lay waste to every living thing in that place. No man, woman, child or engine will be spared!"
"Steal two of everything?" Molly wondered.
"I'm not only rebuilding myself, my dear." Matthias smirked. "You see, before I became a departed spirit, I took the life of the one engine that didn't see me as a pariah. Her name was Helvetia and she was the only engine I loved. But she never returned that love, so I destroyed her so no one else could have her. I almost regretted killing her, because I knew that there would be no else like her. But then I thought, if I could rebuild myself, then why not Helvetia." Matthias backed up and his grabber pointed over to a rusting boiler on a hastily built frame. It appeared to be in the shaped of an engine. "Impressive, don't you think?"
"And where do I fit in to all of this?" Molly wondered.
"That brings us back to your original question." Matthias answered. "Since Helvetia's soul is no longer on this world, I've been looking for a replacement soul to take her place." Molly suddenly realized where this was going.
"That's where you come in." Matthias continued. "Once Helvetia's body is complete, your soul will be transplanted into her new body. Of course, it will mean the destruction of your old body, but once you enter your new shape, you will have complete control over your systems. No drivers or firemen will be necessary. I will no travel longer alone in this plain, not when I have my Helvetia back at my side… or at least her, ahem, stunt double." Matthias laughed like a madman. Molly was in disbelief.
"You're… demented!" she shrieked, deeply sickened by Matthias' twisted plan.
"Oh, don't worry, my sweet Molly." Matthias gave a dark smile. "There'll be plenty of time to get to know me."
"HEEEELLLLPPP!" Molly screamed. "Somebody please help me!" she screamed again. Matthias snarled with anger, his "commandeered" mechanical grabber snapped forward and pressed down hard on Molly's mouth, effectively silencing her. "SHUT UP!" Matthias thundered; his eyes turned a violent shade of red.
"Don't make me blind you or silence you." Matthias thundered, his voice sounded very demonic. Slowly, he released his grabber claw off Molly's mouth. She just whimpered with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, fuck it; I'll just do it anyway." Matthias huffed nonchalantly. His grabber claw clenched onto a large piece of broken steel and began to fashion it into some kind of blindfold. Molly shivered.
"No, please! I won't scream again, I promise." She pleaded.
"You called me a sick fuck. That burned me and now I get to burn you." Matthias laughed evilly. Once he finished, he slowly began to position the scrap built blindfold over Molly's eyes. She tried to squirm away, but the mountains of scrap pinned her down. Molly was helpless.
"No, please, don't!" Molly quaked. And she let out a terrified scream as her world suddenly went dark.
Along a long stretch of track, Henry was pulling the Flying Kipper train, the Island of Sodor's trademark freight service. His sister Karen tagged along for the ride, her reason for doing so was unclear to Henry. It was a particularly fruitful night as far as fishing was concerned and Henry's train was exceptionally heavy with eight additional refrigerated vans attached to his regular train. It was tough going for Henry, he was having trouble gaining enough grip on the slippery tracks. Karen helped out her older brother when they came to Gordon's Hill, acting as his banker engine. The brakeman told Karen not to overbear the brakevan. If she did, the brakevan would collapse under the pressure. Karen pushed the heavy train up the steep 1 in 75 grade hill, being as gentle as possible. Eventually, the two engines were steaming merrily side by side down the line. There was very little traffic on the line and the night air was crisp and clean. "Dude, it's such a perfect night." Karen chuffed happily.
"Sure is, sis." Henry smiled.
"Pity about the God awful smell of the fish." Karen joked.
"I heard that." Henry laughed. Soon the two engines steamed passed the signal box at Cronk station, the effective half-way point of the North Western Railway. Henry picked up speed as raced down the line; he could see that his sister was getting tired but he urged her to keep up with him. "We should have a clear run to Vicarstown." He called to her. "If we pick up speed, we can reach Vicarstown before four o'clock."
"Good." Yawned Karen. "'Cause I'm downloading a whole bunch of Vampire: The Masquerade torrents onto my computer and I want to see if they're finished." Henry snickered. The two Black Fives steamed thundered down the line. Then, Henry noticed something rather peculiar. The air temperature was somehow getting warmer, a strange contrast to the relatively cold day before. Henry was mystified. "Hey sis, can you feel the air getting warmer?"
"Warmer?" Karen wondered. "No, it feels pretty ok, by me."
"Could have sworn that it is…" All of a sudden, something struck Henry. "Oh no. It can't be." He realized something was dreadfully wrong deep down in his boiler.
"If it's getting warmer then this must be a…" Suddenly, the Island of Sodor burst into flames. The sky changed to a sinister blood red. Flames licked and danced all around Henry and Karen. Henry was agape at the terrible hellfire. He looked around frantically only to see people being tortured and horribly mutilated by horrifying looking demons. "Oh my God! I'm in hell again." Henry exclaimed. He looked over to his sister only to see that she had transformed into a diabolical engine from hell. The demon engine shrieked at Henry before it sprouted metallic batwings and took to the air. Henry watched in terror as the "Bat-train" shed off its metal garbs and metamorphosed into a dragon. Henry soon realized that this was all a dream… a terrifyingly real and horrific dream. He passed a trackside sign, it read Welcome back to South of Heaven written in blood and engine sludge. Henry wanted to stop but he couldn't. He had no control over himself and his driver wasn't responding to his call. "I want to stop! I want to stop!" he cried. Henry felt himself being pushed down the line by an unseen force. The tracks lurched and swayed underneath his wheels, as if they had taken a life of their own. Henry was soon steaming towards the Ballahoo Tunnels. It was here back in 1922 where Henry was bricked up from months because he didn't want the rain to spoil his paint. Henry knew that had no choice but to let this dark force "guide" him to his final destination.
As he entered the tunnel, Henry was horrified to see the cut-up faces of his many friends, all strung up on hooks along the length of the tunnel. Wooden torches illuminated the creepy museum of death. Henry almost gagged at the sight of it all, especially when he saw the face of his beloved Emily strung up like a piece of meat. Henry couldn't help but weep. Even if it was just a nightmare, it was just traumatic and nerve wrecking. Henry wanted this dream to end. At last, Henry reached the final stop at the Smelters Yard, "Welcome to Dead Skin Mask Alley." Henry read a trackside sign.
"Cute, very cute." He muttered. As he passed through the big, metal doors, Henry felt his brakes apply until he screeched to a complete stop. Henry was overcome by the tremendous hellfire and showering sparks. He could see no one else inside the Smelters Yard, not even the sight of humans. Yet all of the machinery was running, as if by some ghost crew. The gigantic ceiling cranes were lifting chunks of rusted engine parts and dropping them into large molten steel vats. Henry tried not to watch, it was all too disheartening. Any one of those broken pieces could have belonged to his friends. Yet Henry had to remain firm. He summoned up all his courage, took a deep breathe and shouted into the labyrinth. "I know you're in here, Matthias. Come out and face me like a real engine." There was no response, just the constant clang clang clang of the machinery.
"Show yourself!" Henry shouted with all his might. Suddenly, he heard a sinister laugh. It echoed through the massive complex, becoming louder and louder. "Come on out, you fucking prick!" Henry thundered.
"As you wish, old friend." A dark voice answered. All of a sudden, the air was filled with the clank and rattle of broken steel. Henry watched in amazement as the piles of torn metal and steel began to shift and move by themselves. Bits and pieces began to rise up from the piles and glide above the track. The pieces of steel then began joining together, like a massive jigsaw puzzle. More and more pieces rose from the immense piles of scrap around the Smelters Yard. Massive driving wheels rolled along the tracks and attached themselves to the body. Each piece of scrap combined with one another until they formed the shape of an engine. A face out of flesh and skin then formed on the smokebox. The face was soon complete, thus revealing the visage of Matthias. He smiled darkly at Henry, who was still in a state of bewilderment. "Good to see you again, old chum." Matthias chuckled.
"I could hardly say the same for you." Henry sneered. "And you still look like shit."
"Quite the contrary, I haven't felt better in years." Matthias retorted. "As a matter of fact… " Matthias' body was suddenly overcome by strands of blue lightning, pulsing all over his rusted boiler, running board and tender. The blue lightning then completely enveloped him before dissipating; revealing Matthias' rusted body had been "restored" to its original glory, complete with black paint and his number, 3819. "…I feel energized." Matthias chuckled darkly, his eyes growing black and evil.
"Mother of God." Henry quivered. A blue streak of lightning danced around Matthias's body before it disappeared down his mouth.
"That hit the spot." Matthias smirked. "It's amazing what can happen in someone's dreams. For instance, I can do something like this." Matthias' face and boiler suddenly sprouted horrible looking claws, part mechanical and part flesh. His eyes turned red and he emitted a ghastly hollow scream as the claws swatted at the air. Henry's face went white as a sheet. Then, Matthias reverted back to normal, still with a big smile on his face. "Pretty cool, eh?" he said cheekily.
"There are no limits to what the mind can conjure up in a dreamscape. Although you have to sometimes wonder, which dreamscape you are truly in; is it your dreamscape or is it mine? Are you dreaming or merely part of someone else's dream?" Matthias continued to ramble on and on until Henry got very annoyed.
"Cut the philosophical bullshit, you deluded psychopath!" he thundered. "You summoned me back to this wretched place for a reason, so answer me this, why have you brought me here… again?" Matthias looked hurt.
"Dear me, aren't we in a hurry?" He grumbled. "Christ, you engines are just pushy. Always in a rush to be somewhere. Never any time to stay and chat. Very well, old friend. Here's the inside scoop." Matthias cleared his throat.
"Ever since I was cast from that miserable place you called a home, my soul has been wondering aimlessly across this landscape." Matthias started. "No place to go, nowhere to stop. Even as I traveled alone, I plotted my eminent return to your realm."
"I know, you've told me in my dreams." Henry muttered.
"It was the only way to get your attention." Matthias reiterated. "Like I've said hundreds of times before, I've been thirsting for revenge against Sir Topham Hatt's railway and everyone in it."
"How are you going to achieve that? Kill people in their dreams? It's been done." Henry mocked his adversary.
"If you let me finish, I will tell you." Matthias grunted. "My plan is simple, to cleanse of everything that is impure on this Island. But without a physical body, I am nothing more than dust and fog that stings the eyes of the masses. That was until I found this place… and my old body. Lucky for me, it was mostly intact. But my precious body was missing vital parts. All of them were either butchered or used as replacement parts by your so-called friends. I wanted to take back what was rightfully mine. Taking possession of that Diesel's grabber claw, I began taking parts from the bones of my former comrades, slowly building my old form, with a little outside help, until I could run again."
"Outside help?" Henry was astounded. "What do you mean outside help?"
"Oops, did I say outside help? Perhaps I've said too much already." Matthias roared with laughter. "Anyway, old friend. Once my body is fully complete, I will finally bring my master plan of destruction to fruition."
"And I suppose Molly has something to do with this?" Henry demanded.
"And what makes you think I was the one that abducted her?" Matthias asked in a cheeky tone. "There are tons of psychos out there that could have taken Molly for a joyride or something. Why, even as we speak, dear Molly could have been broken up for scrap or worse, she could be tortured mercilessly." Henry wasn't buying Matthias' act of innocence one bit.
"I'm looking at one psycho right now." Henry sneered. "I know you had something to do with Molly's disappearance. I know this because I know you all too well. You're just that sick to do something like this. Even if it means the murder of three innocent men to do it." Matthias appeared to be flattered, but at the same time, caught in his lie.
"Ok. You caught me, pal. I'm guilty as charged." He chuckled, now completely wheel deep in his madness. Henry, on the other hand, had descended into his own madness.
"Bastard!" Henry growled. "Where is she, you maniac?"
"Why Molly is right here." Matthias said softly as several ceiling cranes carrying giant crucibles of molten steel inexplicably dumped their loads onto the tracks. The molten steel splashed onto the sleepers before swirling and dancing in mid air. The molten steel then started to form the unmistakable shape of an engine. The figure was clear. It was Molly!
"Dear God." Henry gasped. "Molly, is that you?"
"Help me, Henry." The "Molten Molly" cried. "Save me!"
"Don't worry, Molly." Henry wept at her agony. "We'll find you no matter what. I promise!" he cried.
"I'm sorry, your time's up." Matthias called out as the "Molten Molly" melted into nothing. The molten steel sloshed away and seeped into the sleepers and the sooty ground. "Such a Hallmark moment. It's almost touching." Matthias laughed to himself as Henry's face turned red.
"You monster!" He scowled. "Let her go!"
"Nothing doing." Matthias shook his head… metaphorically. "I need her for a much grander purpose."
"What kind of grander purpose?" Henry asked.
"Oh, I'm not telling you." Matthias snickered. The faints echoes of someone screaming reverberated through the Smelters Yard. Henry's jaw dropped. To him, it sounded like the distant plea for help. Henry thought the screams were from Molly, trapped somewhere inside the maze of death machines. Her painful screams were then joined by other pain screams. To Henry, they sounded like his friends. Matthias just smiled. He was enjoying himself despite the terrible misery around him. "Can you hear it?" Matthias asked playfully. "Listen to them. The hallowed screams of the dead. Oh, such sweet vengeance to be brought on this pitiful Island and its puppet residents."
"You… murdering scum!" Henry snarled. "I'll kill you before you do any harm to Molly or my friends." Matthias was unfazed.
"Tut tut, Henry." He coolly remarked. "You tried to kill me before with your exorcism. But, as you can see, I'm not that easy to kill. Besides, my plan is far too important to pass up, with so many engines pay back."
"Fuck everything that you stand for." Henry thundered. "I cannot let you take your sanctimonious plot of destruction to my peaceful Island. I will track you down where ever you're hiding and destroy you myself."
"Big words for a small engine." Matthias huffed. "Especially since you at one time wanted revenge on your so-called friends for shunning you. You should be at my side when I tear out the hearts of those fucking engines; like that drunkard Gordon, that slut Scot girlfriend of yours or that egomaniac Thomas. Or perhaps I should start my reign of terror by tearing out the heart of Thomas' little friend, Percy. OR should I start with Thomas' girlfriend Rosie. I can't really decide." He chuckled softly.
"You're insane!" Henry snarled again, there was true fire in his eyes. "I'll see you hell before you lay a claw on my friends."
"Huh, such solidarity for worthless engines." Matthias sniffed. "What nonsense."
"My solidarity for my friends has nothing to do with this." Henry snapped. "It's putting a stop to your evil plan that is my concern." Matthias' face whipped clean. He wasn't smiling any more.
"Very well, old friend." Matthias' voice grew dark. "Have it your way." The whites of his eyes turned black as a sinister rumbling noise began to reverberate throughout the Smelters Yard. Matthias gave a monstrous growl, flames were flicking through the gaps and cracks along his boiler. Henry shuddered with terror. He wanted to get out of there as fast as he could. But his wheels were frozen to the rails. Matthias opened his mouth and let out a demonic roar. Henry was agape as he saw flames creep out of Matthias' mouth. "Be gone." Matthias roared in the most demonic tone ever. He belched out a jet of fire that completely engulfed Henry from funnel to footplate. Henry screamed in pain as the flames burned his face and boiler. His brilliant green paint blistered from the extreme heat. As the flames burned all around Henry, his boiler began to twist and crack. Then, he finally exploded into a thousand little pieces.
At that moment, Henry woke up in a start. His face was drenched in sweat and his face was white as a sheet. He breathed heavily as he looked around frantically. Henry was back at Tidmouth sheds, amongst his friends and family. All of them asleep and very much alive. Henry started to calm down, breathing a sigh of relief. Henry was glad that his nightmare was over. Or was it? As he was about to drift off to sleep again, Henry saw something shocking. All around the shed, painted in some foreign substance, was a strange and dark message. The message foretold a time of darkness and bloodshed that would be swift and painful. "Take heed all ye pitiful souls. The eyes of the insane are looking down on you. Beware the Angel of Death clad in black steel. He will rise again, to avenge his suffering and inflict it on you." Henry's eyes widen with terror. He remembered seeing such a message in an earlier nightmare he had. As much as he tried to shake it off, Henry couldn't get that message out of his head. Was that message a warning to Henry? Was it foretelling of a time of darkness upon the Island? Henry tried to brush it off as nothing but a mere nightmare. A nightmare induced by this insane former friend Matthias. Now, Henry wasn't so sure. "Guys, guys! Wake up!" Henry called to his friends. "WAKE UP!" he shouted. The other engines all stirred drowsily from their sleep. They all grumbled and murmured in discontent. "What is it, Henry?" Yawned Karen, her black make up had smudged around her eyes, creating… panda eyes.
"Did you have a wet dream again?" Grumbled Gordon angrily.
"Look!" Henry stammered. All the engines glanced around the shed. They all gasped at the terrible messages of hate and violence plastered across their immaculate shed. "Oh… dear Lord." Gordon stuttered in alarm. "Is that… blood?"
"What the hell is all this?" James lisped. "This can't be something those street gangs would have done. This is… this is…"
"Brutal?" Muttered Edward.
"Yeah. Brutal." James finished.
"But who would do something like this?" Emily stammered.
"Matthias." Answered Henry. "This is Matthias's doing. I know it." Everyone looked at Henry with amazement.
"What makes you think he could have done this?" Edward asked.
"Just a hunch." Henry sniffed.
"Shit, the Fat Controller's going to be pissed when he sees this." Karen chuckled nervously. The other engines didn't think that this was something to laugh at. But then again, how would the Fat Controller react to something like this. "What do you suppose this all means?" Edward wondered. The other engines were too spooked to think of an answer, but Henry knew. He knew exactly what the message entailed.
"Darkness." Henry spoke up. "Darkness and evil. The devil is coming to Sodor. And he's bringing all of hell with him." The engines shuddered. Was this forgone assumption of Henry's true? Were the engines going to feel the wrath of some deadly force? If so, would they all survive and would the Island survive? James glanced over to Gordon and saw something very bizarre. "Gordon." James broke the uncomfortable silence. "Is that a willy painted on your face?"
"What?" Gordon spluttered. He looked towards a vanity mirror on his shed door and saw… a dirty big penis spray painted between his eyes. "Oh, bloody hell!" Gordon grumbled indignantly. "Fucking kids!"