Chapter 211: The Old Warrior

Based on Toby's Discovery

October was upon Sodor, and Halloween was just around the corner. Its around this time that the railway crews liked to share scary stories of ghosts and goblins and other strange creatures. The Small Railway is no exception.

"...And when the police called her back, they told her the calls were coming from inside the house!"

Everyone gasped at the end of Mike's story, except Jock who just rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, that Urban Legend is older than all of us!"

"Oh, like your Hook Story is any better?"

"Alright, settle down you two. I think its Bert's turn."

Mike and Rex ceased their quarrel at Rex's request, but kept glaring at each other. Bert cleared his throat and began his tale.

"As you may know, not all of the old mines from the Mid Sodor Railway were repurposed for our operations. Some were left to waste away, mostly because they had run dry. But there is one exception: Cas-ny-Hawin. The last mine to fall."

The other four listened intently.

"When our railway was first built, there were plans to convert the old site. But they fell through. Not because there was nothing of use, but because there were...occurrences."

"What kind of occurrences?"

"Otherworldly. I'm sure you all know the story of the flood that befell it. Sadly, many miners lost their lives in that incident. And when we came to set up shop, we learned that many had not left. It started off small, a few misplaced tools here, a missing truck there, nothing major. But then came the real terrors. Every so often, we'd hear noises that sounded like they were coming from within the mine. Terrible sounds, like lost souls begging for salvation that would never come. It got so bad that many of the men quit. Eventually, the project was scrapped and the mine was left to its fate. But sometimes, if you travel in the hills near the area, you can still hear the desperate cries for help, before they are unjustly silenced."

Everyone stared in shock. No one dared to say a word. Eventually, Jock spoke up.

"Alright, I'll admit its a good ghost story. But it can't be true! Ghosts aren't real!"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you should always be careful around the old mines."

"Oh please, you've been spending too much time with Duke. Why, I bet I could stay the whole night there and come back tomorrow morning just as fine."

"Care to place a wager then?"

Jock raised an eyebrow as Mike handed him a small pocket knife.

"If you can spend the whole night at the mines without being scared, I'll give you a hundred dollars. But if you c chicken out, you pay each of us 100 dollars. And to make sure you don't cheat, stick this knife in the ground where you slept so we know you were there."

Jock grinned and happily took the knife.

"It's a deal! Easiest 100 bucks I've ever made."

"Just make sure to watch out for The Old Warrior!"

"The Old What?"

"The Old Warrior! He used to be the night guard for the mine. Every night his ghost goes hunting for trespassers, and if he finds you he'll pull you into the ground."

Jock just rolled his eyes and left to gather his things. He grabbed a sleeping bag, a flashlight, and a few other things and set off for the mine. As the night dragged on, he got bored. Eventually, he saw the sun start to rise over the horizon.

"Boy, will Mike feel stupid when he pays up. I'll leave the knife here and get some breakfast at the nearest station."

Carefully marking his spot, Jock stood to make his leave...

Only to be yanked to the ground, something pulling him downwards. Try as he might, he couldn't get away.

"Its The Old Warrior! Mike was right! HELP! HELP!"

Just then, he heard footsteps come running towards him. Expecting the worse, he closed his eyes...

"There you go, mister. You alright?"

Jock opened his eyes to see another man standing over him, holding out the pocket knife to him.

"Looks like you pinned your coat tails to the ground by mistake. Don't blame you for hollering like that, I'd be spooked too around these parts."

"Phew. For a second there I thought you were a ghost."

The two had a good laugh before introducing themselves.

"Name's Bertram."

"Jock. Thanks for the save."

"What're you doing up here at night, Jock? Seems like an odd place for a camp out."

Jock explained all about the bet with Mike. Bertram frowned upon hearing the whole story.

"Listen Jock, I understand this was all in good fun, but you shouldn't be messing around here. This is a burial sight where many innocent people lost their lives, and its disrespectful to play around like that. I want you to promise me that you won't be messing around here like that again."

"Trust me, I've had my share of scares from this place."

"Hey Jock, you still alive?"

Jock and Bertram turned to find his friends coming down the hill after him.

"Darn, looks like I owe you 100 bucks."

"Were you scared?"

"I was for a moment, but it was an accident. Hey, I want you guys to meet my friend, Bertram."

Jock's friends looked at him with astonishment.

"Um, Jock? There's no one there."

Jock stared in confusion, he turned to look at Bertram, but there was no one there.

Bertram had vanished into thin air.