They give me a look that makes me realise that they clearly do not believe my woeful lies. Wendy would have done better, being into drama and all that.
"Come, come, let us not start off on the wrong wheel," Says Edward, not unkindly, and I blush in shame at my attempt at deceit. "Please, tell us the truth."
"Well, you guys probably wouldn't believe me." I say, miserably. Victor had a hard time believing it, I hadn't the guts to confess to Ashima, and now I'm trapped in this existence with no way out.
So I sigh, and tell them about my accidental crossing with the witch. I'm aware I've just met them- but I have little hope of getting out of this mess on my own, so I need their help- or else I'll be shipped to America in this form, and I don't want to miss out on my future photographer career.
When I finish, I ask "Well? Am I fit enough for an engine's asylum?" only being half sarcastic- the other half was quaking.
"Actually, Miss Dana- I believe you," Says Edward in reply. He gives a sincere smile to show that he is not joking- catching me off guard completely. After Victor's reaction at the Steamworks, I hadn't been too hopeful that someone would actually listen to my story and believe it.
"You do?" I ask hopefully, looking at him with widened eyes, and a slowly broadening smile on my face.
"Yes, I do- if you felt the need to come up with a ridiculous lie to hide something even more bizarre, that suggests that you're covering something- either a sign of guilt, or a cry for help. I believe that you're telling the truth. This time round anyway," He adds, and I look down at my buffers in shame at the gentle rebuke of my actions.
"I'm sorry- I'm not like that, honest. I just...I don't know what to do or how to get rid of my engine form." I confess shyly.
Edward says nothing, but his warm and kindly gaze gives me the impression that I had been forgiven, and therefore the matter is nothing to worth fretting about.
BoCo, however, looks at me critically. "Well, we'd like to help you any way we can- provided that you don't lie to us again," He says sternly.
"I wouldn't. Thank you," I say quietly, grateful my temporary screw up hadn't cost me allies.
BoCo makes an acknowledging growl with his engine, and I smile, before turning to the older engine. "What do I do, Edward? I can't stay like this."
"Agreed- we should try and find out how the curse can be undone." He decides. "We'll try and see if we can find her tonight."
Both BoCo and I feel very sceptical about all this- but what choice do I have?
"What do we do?" I ask him.
"Well, tonight is a full moon," Began Edward. "Which means she'll be up to mischief- so we shall ask her what your curse requires in order for you to change back to your regular form- and whatever it is that needs to be done, we'll gladly help you, Dana."
"Thank you, Edward," I tell him graciously, though I am in a lot of doubt over the matter. Would it even work?
...
That night, the moon was full- as Edward said. How he knew that, I will never know- and the three of us at Wellsworth Station, waiting for her to come out.
Remembering her dry, blue- grey hair, her white and ginger cat and old, moth eaten clothes makes me gag- well, the closest I could feel to it in steam engine form, anyway.
I sit, silent and still. BoCo and Edward are right here with me, so as to have 'strength in numbers' as Edward put it.
Speaking of which, I have him next to me, with BoCo facing us whilst sitting in the opposite direction.
Mist surrounds the three of us, caressing our wheels with ghostly fingers.
The moon casts eerie shadows over the station platform.
Hanging flower baskets creak as they swing gently in the breeze.
Beside me, Edward remains silent, eagle eyes trained on the station door, almost as if willing her to come out. BoCo looks at me.
"I'm scared," I whisper to the green diesel.
"I don't blame you, Dana- it is a sinister atmosphere at the moment." He agrees, equally quietly, eyeing the once cheerful looking station with a great deal of suspicion.
I nearly scream when a soft whisper tells us urgently – but somehow politely- to be quiet. But it was only Edward. The old engine, with minimal speaking, turns our attention to the station windows- which were radiating light. But it wasn't the usual comforting gold rays pouring out onto the platform.
I feel my boiler run dry in fear at the sight of purple light emitting from the windows.
In this unnatural light, we see Edward's face turn an octave paler. I wonder if something else is happening, or he's just extremely frightened by the strange light.
Wait. Did I...see something move? I wonder, and I sneak a glance to my green compatriot.
His expression is frozen with horror- widened eyes, a gaping mouth, and the icy fires of terror stalking my new friend's eyes.
Looking over at Edward, I note a similar expression on his face. However, I was left in the dark- no pun intended- over what made them so frightened.
That is, until I end up looking on the roof of the station.