A/N: To the guest reviewers: No, I have not seen An American Tale. Thank you for the ideas.

Chapter 247: Escape From Misty Island Part 6

Meanwhile, on Misty Island, Thomas was slowly finding his place among the small family. Bash and Dash were quite happy to have someone new to talk to, and Thomas happily played with them. Right now, Ferdinand was giving Thomas a small tour of the island in a rail speeder.

"This whole Island used to be home to a huge logging camp. It had everything, even a small town to house the workers and their families. But when the company went out of business, the whole place became abandoned. Surprisingly, most of their machinery was still in decent working order, so we refurbished as much as we could to fit our needs."

"Hey Ferdinand, if you don't mind me asking, what's your story? I mean, how'd you end up here? You don't seem like the kind of person to up and move to a deserted island by choice."

"Well, truth be told my story is quite similar to yours. I worked on a fishing trawler, see, and we were just heading home with our biggest catch yet. All of a sudden, a huge storm hit our ship, tossing us about like a bowl of salad. Last thing I remember was a huge wave knocking me off deck and into the sea. When I woke up, I was on the same beach we found you, no sign of my crew anywhere. I hope they made it out alright."

Thomas nodded in sympathy before something dawned on him.

"Wait a minute, you said you were alone when you came to this island? What about Bash and Dash?"

Ferdinand's face fell, and Thomas could already tell that he was going to regret asking.

"One morning, not long after I landed here, I saw a boat wash up on shore. When I reached it, I found two babies crying for their parents and a note. It said that their parents were lost at sea and for whoever found them to please look after them, and told me their names. So I took them back to my hut and raised them as my own."

Ferdinand smiled slightly, remembering something.

"When they were old enough to understand, I told them everything. They told me that it didn't matter, that anyone who was willing to take in two strangers deserved to be called dad. Sometimes I forget, you know? They act so much like me at times, some times it feels like they are my own flesh and blood. I guess living with someone for so long can do that to you..."

"I know the feeling. I have two adopted little girls back home, and I would give anything to see them again."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You'll find a way, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Ferdinand."

"No problem. Now come on, those little squirts are probably starving by now."

A few days later, Thomas was out combing the beach when he saw something catch his eye. Carefully making his way down, he found it to be an intact bottle and cork. This gave Thomas an idea.

"I wonder...well, there's only one way to find out, I suppose!"

Running back to the hut, he grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and began writing, much to the twins' confusion.

"Hey Thomas, what are-"

"-You doing?"

"Getting us off this island!"

Ferdinand, who has just walked in, was rather puzzled.

"What are you talking about, Thomas? How is that gonna help us leave?"

"Haven't you ever seen a movie, Ferdinand? You leave a message in a bottle and throw it into the sea, and someone finds it on a distant shore. I've left our coordinates and an explanation of the situation. I'm hoping it reaches my friends on Sodor."

"Thomas, no offense, but that's the dumbest idea I've ever heard. What makes you think it'll even work?"

"Do you have any better ideas?"

Ferdinand opened his mouth to respond, but had to admit he could not.

"Then let me try."

After a few minutes, Thomas had everything ready and ran to the beach. With all his might, he threw the bottle as far as he could, watching as it bobbed away.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Thomas."

"Trust me, so do I."

On Sodor, Emily stared out into the open ocean, lost in thought.

"Rest in peace, Thomas. I wish so much you could be here with me...huh?"

Just then, something shiny caught her eye as it drifted onto the beach. Racing down, she found a letter in a bottle.

"Hmm? What's this?"

Carefully, she pulled the letter out and read it. Her jaw dropped when she was finished.

"No way...is this..."

Excitedly, she raced off to find the Rescue Team. She hadn't been this excited in a long time.

Thomas, her husband, was alive, and she was going to make sure he made it home.