Rheneas pales at this news. "Well, I'll go and see if I can help." He decides at last. "Are you busy just now, Luke?"
"Not really..." the little green engine admits.
"Well, could you take my trucks please?" Rheneas asks politely. "I'll go and help Skarloey."
"Of course, Rheneas," Luke answers.
"Thank you!" Rheneas calls, and the little red engine puffs away as quick as a bolt of lightning, leaving his friend with Ashima and me.
I don't know what to do- I need to find a way to transform back into a human!
"Ashima," I begin, and she looks at me.
"Yes, Dana?"
I glance over at Luke- but he had gone to deliver the trucks for Rheneas. I felt that I should mention something about my dilemma. But I don't want to be mocked, so I decide to see if there is any way I could change back.
"Do you know anyone who works at Wellsworth?" I ask.
"Well, Thomas told me that there is Edward and BoCo that work there." She answers. "Why?"
"Oh, I just need some information on it." I lie. Well, I suppose it isn't entirely a lie- but I need info on the witch, not the place. I hope one of them would know about the witch so that I could find out how to break the spell.
"Well, I could ask someone to take you," She replies. "I would do it, but I am actually due back to India soon."
I am disappointed to hear this. So who on this Island can help me get back to normal?
"Unless you just go to Wellsworth and then take a shortcut through Edward's Branchline!" A new voice cuts in- and we jump out of our-paintwork? Boilers? What is it they would say? Anyway, we got frightened.
A young diesel engine is right beside us. He's blueish- green, with a kind face, and a concerned expression.
"Oh, I'm...um, sorry-it's just, um...I didn't mean- that is, I"-
"It is alright!" Ashima chuckles. "What's your name?"
"Paxton- and what's your name..." he's awestruck when he admires my companion. I don't blame him- she's really pretty.
"I'm Ashima, and this is my new friend, Dana!" She says.
"Hi, Paxton!" I add- but he is too busy in the clouds.
"Um...sorry, Dana," Ashima chuckles nervously, causing me to furrow an eyebrow at her.
"Why are you apologising? It's not your fault that he's swooning over you!"
"I know, but many engines often ignore other engines in my favour." She explains. "I don't approve, but it's usually well- meaning or not meaning to cause offence. Well, we better head off. Thank you so much for your help, Paxton! We appreciate the help!" Ashima says.
"Huh- oh, you're welcome. Are you...leaving already?" He asks, looking rather dejected- and I can't help but feel sorry for him.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I have to return to India- but you're a very good friend and a sweet engine, Paxton. When I'm next on Sodor, I'll come here and visit you and the engines here!" Ashima says brightly.
Paxton smiles at that. "Thank you, Ashima." He says bashfully. "It was nice meeting you and your friend."
"It was wonderful meeting you too," Ashima smiles. Then, with a goodbye whistle and a wink to Paxton, the two of us exit the quarry to get to Wellsworth.
...
"This is NOT what I had in MIND!" I yell as we speed down Gordon's Hill. We got directions from a friendly engine named Stanley, pulling a cargo train- and now we're speeding down the steepest hill in all of Sodor's railways!
"WOOHOO!" Ashima whooped with glee. "This is fun!"
"Don't you care how steep this is?!" I ask her, feeling the wind fly around a funnel- a peculiar sensation that made me feel...exposed.
"Are you kidding?! This is nothing compared to my home railway!" She answers jubilantly. "I work on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway! The line's pretty rough and dangerous!"
"You don't say!" I respond, as she overtakes me and glides gracefully down the last stretch of line.
In an attempt to slow down, my driver- who is temporarily recruited- slams on my brakes too hard- resulting in me banging my tender too hard against my rear buffers.
"Oww...!" I complain.
"Whoo! That was fun!" She exclaims. "Hey look! We're here!" She glances down the line, and I follow her gaze. Sure enough, a long, sleek green diesel and a blue steam engine are chatting about something or other.
We proceed onto Wellsworth, trying to act casual but reserved. A little bit difficult when you feel windswept!
...
"Good afternoon, ladies!" The blue steam engine greets us cheerfully and politely as we pull in. "How may we help you?"
"Actually, I just need to get to Brendam Docks," Says Ashima. "I have a boat to catch from India."
"Feel free to use my Branchline," He continues. "It should take you straight there."
"Oh thank you!" She says gratefully, and then turns to me.
"Dana, it's been wonderful knowing you," She tells me. "And I hope we meet again next time I come to Sodor!"
Mentally and emotionally, I flounder at this. I didn't tell Ashima I'm actually human- nor did I say that I wasn't actually a part of Sir Topham Hatt's railway.
"It's been...nice knowing you too, Ashima." I say, awkwardly. "And I'm looking forward to seeing you again..."
"Someday..." Ashima finishes. "Farewell, friend- I must return to India. But we'll see each other again!"
'Just not in this form...' I realise sadly, in my thoughts. Would Ashima want to still be friends with me- even after hiding the truth from her?
Instead, I say "So long, Ashima- until next time."
"Until then," she agrees, solemnly- and with a long, loud whistle, she turns onto the Branchline and slowly chuffs away- leaving me with the diesel and the steam locomotives. Once I can no longer see her, I turn to my new companions.
"Listen, I hope you don't mind me asking this of you, considering we've only just met...But I need your help." I say.
"Of course- what is it you need help with?" The blue engine- whom I guess is Edward- asks.
"I need to know what you know about Wellsworth Station!" I blurt out, before I can think of a suitable excuse.
"Why would you need to know?" The green diesel- BoCo, presumably- inquires.
"I...um..." I falter for an excuse. "I'm...helping an author write a book on Sodor's railway stations!"