Chapter Seven: The Slippery Slope to Failure
12:19
Barrow-in-Furness : North Western Railway Terminus
Gordon could feel all of his hope, his happiness, his thoughts of being rescued being blown away by the wind as they carried along through the English countryside. They were moving slowly but surely, with Wood now helping Bark push Gordon along the tracks. The combination of the frosty wind and bitter snow was freezing Gordon to his very core, but that wasn't the main thing that was depressing him.
Gordon had shut his eyes, not wanting to look at Bark's evil sneer anymore. He was allowing himself to think back to his life, his memories: arriving on Sodor, getting stuck on what would later be known as his hill, outsmarting Thomas, falling down the mine, taking the Queen, going to London, having the Flying Scotsman cheer him up….. so many happy, sad, funny, unpleasant, wonderful memories, and soon his life would be over. If only Gordon had been a nicer, less selfish engine, than maybe this wouldn't have happened?
If only… Gordon thought sadly. Just then he heard a loud whistle: it wasn't Edward's whistle, but it was definitely familiar. Gordon opened his eyes to see Bark looked positively petrified, just as the whistle sounded again.
"There aren't any other steam engines on this railway!" Bark wailed, obviously afraid of this noise. The whistle sounded again, and this time Gordon knew who it was. It was Henry: Gordon remembered hearing that Henry would be taking the Flying Kipper during the day due to the New Year's display.
"I don't recognise it." Gordon added, trying to hide his relief: if he showed he was happy, they would surely get worried and turn back. Now, he had them cornered. Bark seemed to relax now, believing what Gordon said.
"Let's just hurry up and get to the scrap yard before someone reports him missing!" Wood hissed, and Bark nodded. They gained speed as they moved further between the high, snowy banks. Gordon could hear the distant sounds of the raging waters crashing against the rocks, and knew that they must be very close to the bridge to Sodor. If he could just muster enough puff, he might be able to alert Henry, who could then rush and save him.
However, just as Gordon began taking deep breathes, trying to draw his steam up, there was another whistle from behind them, and Wood nearly leapt off the tracks in fright. Gordon gasped, as he was surprised to be hearing this whistle… it was Edward!
"It's that steam engine from the port!" Bark grumbled, and Gordon let himself smile at the appalled look on the diesel's faces. The thick snow was ruining the visibility, but Gordon was able to make out the distinctive blue and red paint of Edward and Rocky, being lit up by Edward's tail lamp.
"Stop right now!" Edward shouted. "There is no way you can get out of this without it ending badly for you!" Gordon felt all of his hope and happiness seeping back in, and was very relieved to know that there was a chance of his survival. Bark was looking nervous, and Gordon could feel them begin to slow down: was Edward's presence and threat enough to slow down the diesels?
"I don't care about what some foreign engine says, we're taking this engine to the scrap yard!" Bark's diesel roared, and he quickly raised his engines speed up again.
"How am I foreign, Sodor is part of England..." Gordon mumbled, but he was more concerned about trying to stop and escape. Bark and Wood were moving much quicker now, but despite their best efforts, Edward was catching up quickly. The sound of his puffing was able to be heard over the sound of the wind, and Gordon was beginning to feel more relief.
"Just slow down!" Edward shouted. "It will be better for you if you just let Gordon go!"
"We can't, we need the money!" Wood angrily shouted back, but Gordon noticed that Bark was looking nervous and the big engine could understand why. The two diesels and their crews would get into serious trouble if they did scrap Gordon when they had been warned not too, and it could prove serious for them. Despite the fact they were trying to scrap him, Gordon suddenly felt a pang of compassion.
However, just as Gordon was about to say something friendly, he felt his tender suddenly turn to his right dramatically. Bark and his driver looked surprised as they followed Gordon along the sudden curve. Gordon was looking around, trying to figure out what had happened. He saw several familiar looking buildings, and then they went through a platform.
"Gordon, what's going on?" Gordon, Bark and Wood around and gasped: Henry was alongside them, looking shocked and confused, but Gordon was pleased to see his old friend.
They were going through the North Western Railway terminus, which meant they were heading back onto Sodor.
There was chance for Gordon yet.