Chapter 146: Molly's Monster

One evening, Sir Topham Hatt called Molly into his office.

"Molly, I'm pleased with your work so far. Now, I think you're ready to handle passengers."

Molly beamed proudly.

"Oh, thank you sir. I will work hard."

"I know you will. Now, tomorrow I'm going to start you off on the Black Loch service early morning. It leaves at 9:00 AM, so make sure you get a good night's rest."

"Yes, sir."

"That's what I like to hear. Goodnight, Molly."

"Goodnight."

Molly left his office that evening feeling excited for the next day.

The next morning Molly was at the station bright and early. She still had some time before the train departed, so she decided to get some tea and cakes from the stand.

Bill and Ben were there helping out, and seeing a newcomer decided to strike their chance for mischief.

"Hey there, Molly. Where are you taking this train?"

"Black Loch. Its the early run."

Bill and Ben feigned fear.

"Oh. I guess you haven't heard the story, then."

"What story?"

"Why, the story about the monster that lives in the lake, of course."

Molly wasn't so excited anymore. She felt very scared.

"M-Mo-Monster?!"

"Yes, the monster. No one knows how it came to be there. Perhaps it was an experiment gone horribly wrong. Perhaps it was a witch's curse. But what we do know is that anyone who dares cross it shall be dragged to the depths of the lake, never to be seen again."

"Bill and Ben, what are you two doing now?"

The three of them turned to see James walking over to them.

"I turn my back around for one second and I see you terrifying poor Molly? Get back to work, both of you!"

Bill and ben snorted, but complied. Molly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks James. Um, there isn't really a monster in the lake, is there?"

"No, there isn't. Those two tried selling the same bunk to Donald and Douglas. All they ever do is play tricks, and it'll come back to bite them one of these days. You'd best be going, though. The train leaves in 5 minutes, and I'll be on it. I want to spend my day off at the lake, not dealing with those yahoos."

"I will James, and thank you."

"Don't mention it."

With that, James headed for the train, while Molly finished final preparations. Five minutes later, the guard's whistle blew and they set off.

Fog lay low and thick that morning, and speed was reduced drastically. This only served to make Molly feel tenser still, as if every branch were ghostly finger waiting to grab her.

"Must be brave, must be brave. No such thing, no such thing."

After what felt like ages, they reached Black Loch. The water lay still, no sign of life at all. Molly breathed a sigh of relief.

"James was right. Bill and Ben were- OH MY LORD!"

As if like magic, the water began to bubble and rise. Something, monster or not, was beginning to emerge. Molly shut her eyes in fright.

"GO AWAY, PLEASE! I'M TO YOUNG TO-"

"BARK!"

"Bark?"

Molly slowly opened on eye, and then the other. Before her, resting on the shore of Black Loch, was a mother seal and her two adorable cubs. Molly smiled at the sight as James ran up.

"Molly, are you alright? I heard a scream, and-"

"Sshh, look."

James turned to see the two young seals playing in the water, splashing each other teasingly as their mother watched.

"Isn't that the most adorable thing you've ever seen?"

James smiled happily.

"Yeah, it is."

And without fully realizing it, the two slowly reached out their hands, only stopping once they had fully clasped together.