Chapter 174: Jack Frost

The Island of Sodor was in the midst of December, and already snow and ice coated the ground. But the engine drivers don't mind the cold, as long as they have a warm firebox to work near.

One evening, Sir Topham Hatt came to see his engine drivers at TIdmouth.

"A big freeze is expected for tonight. James and Percy, I need the two of you to deliver extra coal to the stations. I want to make sure everyone is prepared for the snow."

"Yes sir!"

"Good but be careful. A heavy snowfall is due, so I want you both to come straight back after your done. I don't want old jack frost to get you two."

With that he walked away with a chuckle. But Percy was confused.

"Who's Jack Frost?"

James snorted indignantly.

"He's just pulling your leg, Percy. Jack Frost is figure used to represent winter and cold weather in general, but he isn't real. Now come on, we need to get that coal delivered ASAP."

"Coming, James."

Percy's coal run went well, and he managed to get all the coal delivered with time to spare. But trouble lay ahead as he made his way back light engine. Snow and ice had jammed the points against him, so when he drove his engine over them it bounced right off the tracks, leaving him stranded with snow starting to fall.

"Help! Help! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!"

But no one was around to hear him.

"Oh dear, whatever will I do?"

Fortunately, he had plenty of coal and water to keep the fire going, but even so he did feel cold. He hoped someone would come looking for him soon.

James had just started his way back when it started to snow hard.

"Good thing I've got a snow plough. I don't want to end up like Thomas did. I hope Percy made it back okay, though."

Before long, the snow fall was so thick that he could just barely make out the line ahead.

"I better stop and stay at the next station. Too dangerous to try and make it to Tidmouth in this weather."

Percy was huddled so close to the fire when he heard James's whistle in the distance.

"Oh, thank heavens I'm saved! James! James!"

James nearly jumped right out of his skin when he heard a voice calling his name.

"Huh? Who's there?"

"James! James!"

James squinted, but he could only make out a faint shape in the distance.

"SCARY JACK FROST! AND HE KNOWS MY NAME! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

And James opened the throttle as far as it could go, shooting his engine off like a rocket, leaving Percy alone once more.

"James, come back!"

But it was too late. James was gone.

James stayed at Wellsworth Station for the night and headed home as soon as the sun had risen. He was very surprised to see that Percy was not among the engine drivers waiting outside for the morning briefing.

"Is Percy out already?"

"Percy didn't come home last night. We had hoped you two had stayed somewhere else for the night."

"No, I stayed at Wellsworth, but I never saw Percy all night. Wait, could that…OH MY, PERCY!"

And before anyone could ask him any questions he shot back in a frenzy, leaving everyone very confused.

Percy had stayed up all night, trying to stay as warm as he could. He felt very cold, and very sore. Just as he was about to doze off, he heard a very familiar whistle.

"James, he came back! JAMES! JAMES! OVER HERE!"

"Just hang on, Percy! We'll get you back home before you know it."

It took only a few minutes before his engine was back on the track. James helped Percy into the cab and gave him a warm blanket and some Hot Chocolate as they headed back.

"I'm sorry I didn't go out to find you last night, Percy. I would have if I had known, but I had the strangest encounter last night."

"Really? What happened?"

"Well, I was coming home from my deliveries when I saw this weird figure on the tracks. It called out to me in this eerie voice, knew my name and everything! I thought it was Jack Frost and everything. It may not have been, but I wasn't in the mood to find out. Come to think of it, it happened right around where I found you. You're lucky he didn't get you as well."

Percy suppressed a knowing grin. He figured it'd be best not to tell James that was him.