Chapter 245: Escape From Misty Island Part 4

Early the next morning, Sir Topham Hatt entered his office, iced bun in hand. He was just about to sit down when the telephone rang.

"Bother that telephone. Who could be calling first thing in the morning?"

Sighing wearily, he picked it up.

"Hello, Knapford Station. Yes, this is Sir Topham Hatt...what? Are you sure? Oh dear...alright, thank you. Goodbye."

Sir Topham Hatt placed his head in his hands, overwhelmed by the news. Slowly, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Kevin, when Emily comes in, send her to my office immediately. Thank you."

A while later, knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Emily entered, looking rather confused.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes Emily, you may want to sit down. Its...its about Thomas."

"Is he alright? He hasn't caused any trouble, has he?"

Sir Topham Hatt sighed, not wanting to continue.

"There...there was an accident at sea. His ship hit rough waters and sank. I just got off the phone with the coast guard, and all survivors are accounted for. Thomas...Thomas wasn't one of them. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid your husband is lost at sea."

Emily said nothing for several minutes, just staring straight ahead. Then, all at once, she began sobbing, Sir Topham Hatt giving her a gentle hug. But they both knew nothing he could do would make the pain go away.

Thomas, their loyal friend...was gone.

(Elsewhere)

"So he just washed up on shore?"

"That's what dad said. Do you think he'll wake up soon?"

"I don't know. I hope so."

"Mmmmph."

Thomas slowly blinked his eyes open, trying to get his bearings. Memories of his night at sea came flooding back, and he immediately tried to bolt up, but one of the twins held him down.

"Easy there, mister. You really need..."

"...To take it easy. Dad said you-"

"-Might have a concussion, whatever that means."

Thomas looked at the two in confusion.

"Do you two always do that?"

"We don't know-"

"What you're talking about."

Thomas blinked, trying to process this weird turn of events. Eventually, he just decided to roll with it.

"Well, my name's Thomas. What's yours?"

"I'm Bash, and he's..."

"...I'm Dash!"

"Alright you two, give him some room to breathe."

A larger, broadly built man lumbered into the tall hut, chuckling at his sons' antics.

"But dad, we wanted to meet-"

"-The new guy."

"You can talk to him more later, but right now he needs to rest. Go on and play."

"Alright, dad."

The two twins scampered off, their father chuckling at their antics before turning to their guest.

"Sorry about those two. My name's Ferdinand. What's yours?"

"Thomas. How did I-"

"I found you washed up on the beach earlier this morning. Didn't think you were going to make it for a while, but you pulled through. So, what's your story, Thomas?"

Thomas explained everything, from rescuing Arry and Bert to the ship wreck.

"Is there anyway off this island? I appreciate the hospitality, but i'd really like to get back to Sodor. My wife's due to give birth any day, and I really want to be there. Its our first child, after all."

Ferdinand's face fell.

"That might be difficult."

Confused, Thomas slowly followed Ferdinand to the beach. Looking out to sea, all he could see was a thick cloud of white.

"Around here, the fog is thick as pea soup, and it only lift for an hour at a time each day. Any ship that comes this way would be sailing into a death sentence. I've been here almost twenty years, and I've never seen a ship around here."

Thomas collapsed to his knees in despair.

"There's no way out? I'm...I'm stuck here?"

"I wouldn't say that. I occasionally here planes flying overhead, but the fog's too thick for a signal fire to be seen. Maybe one day you'll get lucky, but until then..."

He reached down, offering Thomas his hand.

"...You're welcome to stay here with us. I'm sure Bash and Dash would appreciate the company."

Smiling, Thomas accepted it, and Ferdinand helped him to his feet.

"Thanks, Ferdinand. I'd appreciate it."

"Thomas, welcome to Misty Island."