Chapter 197: Thomas and the Magic Railroad Part 5

Deep in Muffle Mountain, Burnett slipped silently through its hidden caves, his mind deep in thought as he remembered happier times.

A young Burnett and a woman laugh happily as they are surrounded by utter beauty all around. Trees and flowers bloom all around them, and all of nature is in perfect harmony.

"Burnett, this is wonderful! I love it!"

"And so do I, Tasha, as much as I love you. Tasha?"

Tasha turned to him in confusion as he knelt down, pulling out a small box. Tasha gasped as he opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

"Tasha, will you marry me?"

With an enthusiastic nod, Tash leapt into his arms, tears rolling down her eyes.

"Yes! Yes, of course I will! But Burnett?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Promise me that someday we'll return here. I never want to forget this place."

"I promise, Tasha. I promise."

Burnett sighed, tears streaming down his face as he wiped them away.

"I'm sorry, Tasha. I couldn't keep my promise. I tried, I really did."

After more walking, he came upon a dimly lit room, containing only a small bed upon which a beautiful young woman. Her long, golden hair created a kind of blanket, and her dress was elegant and flowy. Her eyes were closed, as she was in a deep sleep.

"I'm sorry, Lady. I should've never left you out of my sight."

"Mr. Stone?"

Burnett looked up to see Patch standing in the entrance.

"Patch! How did you..."

"I came to your house, but couldn't find you. Then I saw you go up into these mountains, and I..."

His eyes then fell on Lady.

"Um, who's she?"

"Someone I failed to protect. My wife and I met her long ago, before my daughter was born. She was young, and pure. My wife and I, we were still dating then, but the three of us were like a little family. On the night I proposed, she took us to the most beautiful place we had ever seen."

His eyes fell in sorrow.

"But then, tragedy struck. We didn't know this, but she had enemies. Powerful enemies who wanted her dead. One night, while our backs were turned, she snuck out into the woods. Then, an evil man attacked her. We heard her screams for help, but by the time we arrived it was too late. The man had fled, and Lady was like you see her now. Whatever he had done to her, it had left her in a coma. My wife and I were heartbroken, and she...never fully recovered."

Patch nodded, not sure what to say.

"I brought her here, hoping to find a way to revive her. But nothing I've done has had an effect."

"Have you tried giving her a kiss?"

Burnett gave Patch an annoyed look as he shrugged sheepishly.

"Just an idea."

Lily stirred from her sleep as the conductor's voice came through her carriage.

"Alright folks, last stop before Muffle Mountain. If you plan on stretching your legs, do it quick. Train leaves in 5 minutes."

Smiling, Lily got up and made her way to the platform. She relished how lively the small station felt. Certainly beat the crowded and noisy station back home.

PT Boomer grunted as he lurked in the shadows of the platform. The whole place was way too bright and happy for his tastes. If he didn't think he'd find answers here, he'd have left it alone. He watched people exit the train that had just pulled in. Lady with a parrot, lady with a floppy green hat, Burnett's granddaughter, Weird dude that looked like George Carlin...

Boomer shot up, doing a double take when he realized who had just crossed into his line of vision. He had only caught brief glimpses of her, and his memory wasn't what it used to be, but that was definately Lily Stone. Perfect.

"Oi, you!"

Lily looked in horror as a large, scary man bounded towards her.

"Come here!"

Scared, Lily ran for it, pushing past others as she tried to get away. Several people tried to help her by pushing Boomer back, only to be shoved to the ground in Boomer's rage filled tirade.

Stacy was just finishing counting tickets when Lily ran right into her.

"Oh dear, are you alright?"

"You've got to help me, this crazy man is after me, and..."

"YOU!"

Everyone turned to see Boomer stomping into the station, marching right over to them. Stacy pushed Lily behind her, standing between her and him.

"Go away, Boomer. You've no business here!"

"Oh yeah? And who's going to make me?"

"Something the problem, here?"

Billy walked over, joining Stacy in protecting Lily as he stood tall. Realizing he was outnumbered, Boomer huffed and walked away, making an "I'm watching you" gesture as Lily. Sighing in relief, Lily turned to her protectors.

"Thanks so much. I better get back to..."

A loud train whistle snapped her out of her train of thought.

"MY TRAIN!"

Bounding out of the station, she made it to the platform just in time to see her train departing. Heartbroken, she slumped to the ground.

"Oh no, Grandpa Burnett's going to be mad."

"Wait, your Burnett's daughter?"

Lily turned to see Stacy walking over to her.

"I have some things to finish up here, but once that's done I can take you to his house. Its only about an hour drive from here."

"Really?"

Stacy nodded, only to be hugged by Lily."

"THANK YOU!"

"You're quite welcome. Billy, could you look after her for me while I finish up."

"Sure thing, Stacy. Come on, I'll show you my workshop."

While Stacy went to put things away, Billy showed Lily his workshop. Once there, he showed her his model of a train.

"You sure like trains, huh?

"Wouldn't be much of an engineer if I didn't, now would I? You see, a Steam Engine is a very special kind of machine. Something about the pumping pistons makes them feel. I tell ya, its magic."

Lily laughed. She didn't want to, but she couldn't help it.

"Magic? Don't be silly, Billy. Magic isn't real."

"Oh, I don't know. I've seen some pretty strange things in my time. Magic seems the only reasonable explanation there is sometimes."

For the next half hour, Billy and Lily chatted. Lily told him about her mother and life back home, while Billy entertained her with stories of his life on the rails. Some time later, Stacy came into the workshop.

"Alright Lily, I'm all set. I called your grandfather to let him know what's going on, and he'll meet us halfway."

"Alright, Stacy. Thanks, Billy!"

Billy waved goodbye as the two left the station before returning to his work.

A while later, the two were driving down the country road. As the neared their destination, Lily struck up a conversation.

"Do you know my grandfather, Stacy?"

"Not personally, but my mother did. I do remember that he used to be a lot happier before your grandmother died. I just wish...oh look, there he is."

Sure enough, Burnett was waiting for them at the next crossing. Smiling, Lily ran up and gave him a big hug.

"Grandpa!"

"Helllo, Lily. Thanks for bringing her, Stacy. I'm sorry if she caused you any trouble."

"Oh, it was no trouble at all. I'd better get back to Shining Time."

"Oh wait, Stacy!"

Stacy turned around, puzzled.

"Yes?"

"What were you going to say a minute ago? You were saying that you wish..."

"Huh? Oh, I wish you enjoyed your time at Shining Time and can come back soon."

Lily was unconvinced, but let the matter drop as Stacy drove away.

"Come on Lily, lets get back. I've got dinner on the stove."

Lily nodded, and got in the car. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. Something like she'd never seen before.