Chapter 257: Henry and the Ghost Train

The Fall Fair had arrived on Sodor. All of the attendants enjoyed food, games, and rides, but one in particular proved to be quite popular. It was a a long tunnel, decorated with cobwebs and other spooky things. The sign above the entrance read "Ghost Train."

"A what train?" Asked Percy one morning. "I thought ghosts weren't real."

"Not that kind of ghost train," laughed Edward. "This ghost train is a ride. It takes riders into a tunnel, and scary things like ghosts and skeletons pop out to scare them. I've ridden on one before, its quite fun."

Henry just snorted indignantly.

"Pah," he said. "How can anyone find that scary? Everyone knows they're just plastic props."

"Oh, I don't know. With how dark and eerie it is in there, it can be hard to tell what's real and what isn't."

"Pah! I'm not scared."

Later that evening, Sir Topham Hatt approached them with an important job.

"Henry, part of Ballahoo Tunnel's roof has collapsed. I need you to take some workmen there to fix it at once."

Henry didn't like having to work so late, but obliged.

"Watch out for ghosts, Henry!"

"Oh, ha ha."

Percy giggled while Henry drove away, grumbling as he approached the tunnel.

"If there's an elephant in there, so help me god..."

He soon stopped, and the workmen got out and set to work. Time ticked on, dusk turned to night, yet still the men kept at it. Soon, Henry began to feel sleepy.

"I guess...a little shut eye wouldn't hurt."

With a big yawn, Henry drifted off to sleep. He didn't know how long he dozed, but when he came to he felt like he was moving. Opening his eyes, he saw that his train was moving all on its own! Henry tried to stop it, but it wouldn't respond to his controls.

"Oooooooooh."

Just then, a ghostly figure reached out from the abyss, moaning as he tried to grab Henry. Henry nearly cried out in shock, but luckily his engine sped up just in time. Up ahead, Henry saw a station. This made him feel better.

"I hope someone there can explain what's going on. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind."

But he was soon to be thoroughly disappointed. As he approached the platform, he found a skeleton crew waiting for him, their bones cracking as they walked about, empty eye sockets following him as he pulled in. Sitting on a nearby bench was a vampire reading a newspaper while sucking on a blood pack.

"What the-"

"Good job, Henry!"

Henry nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw what came next. Limping towards him was a very thin Sir Topham Hatt, as bony as the rest of the crew, his jaw sliding about as he cackled.

"You are a Really Useful Engine Driver!"

Just then, a sharp, ghastly whistle echoed through the tunnel. There, rushing towards Henry far too fast to stop, was an express train, fire shooting out from the wheels as a deep voice bellowed out:

"ALL ABOARD! NEXT STOP, YOUR DOOOM!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Henry!"

Henry woke with a start, calming down when he relaized he was safe and sound. A workman was shaking him awake. By now, it was morning.

"Are you alright? We could hear you screaming from the tunnel.

"Huh? Oh, uh, sorry. I just...had a bad dream."

"Well, we just finished the tunnel. Come on, let's go home."

Henry was glad to leave. He didn't want to be near any tunnels for a very long time. When he got home, he went straight to bed without talking to anyone. He didn't dare mention his experience. He thought they'd just laugh at him.