Chapter 317: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure Part 8

Ryan and Daisy struggled to break free of the ropes binding them. Sailor John scowled as he kept an eye on the horizon.

"Quit struggling, will ya? You're giving me a headache."

"You won't get away with this!"

"Oh, I think I will, unless you fancy going for a swim! Skiff!"

"Y–Yes, uncle?"

"Keep an eye on the prisoners. I need to go call the cops and make sure they're on the way with the treasure."

"Right away, uncle!"

Sailor John stormed off to find a phone booth, leaving the three alone.

"Why do you work for him? He treats you poorly, and he's a criminal."

"Because he's the only family I have left!"

Daisy and Ryan were stunned speechless.

"I never knew my parents. I grew up in an orphanage till it burnt down when I was four, and I lived on the streets until I was six. He saw me picking pockets to get by and took me in. So yes, he's mean, cold, and never gives me any praise, but it's better than starving on the streets."

Skiff, sighed, and turned away.

"I sure hope they get here soon. Uncle doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Alright, get down and be quiet!"

"You're the only one talking!"

"SHH! Alright, we're coming up on the meeting spot."

Diesel glanced around the small cliff they were using as cover.

"He's not there. It's just his kid, and he's asleep."

"Alright, let's make this quick before he gets back. Do you have the pocket knife?"

"Right here."

"Okay, let's do this."

The two quickly ran over to Daisy and Ryan, and began untying them, much to their surprise.

"Duck? Diesel?"

"What's-"

"We're getting you out of here, that's what!"

With one last push of the knife, the ropes came free.

"Alright, we need to go, and we need to go now!"

"Freeze!"

Skiff jumped to attention, waving his gun at them. Daisy cautiously approached.

"Skiff, you don't want to do this, I can tell."

"I don't have a choice! If Uncle comes back and sees I let you go…"

"You can come with us! You can have a real family. Please, just put the gun down."

Skiff wavered, unable to decide when…

"Skiff, you dirty coward! Shoot them already!"

Sailor John appeared again, pistol pointed right at them.

"So, this is how you repay me for taking you in? I should've left you to rot in the streets!"

"Hey, don't talk to him like that!"

"Shut it, girly! I warned you what would happen if you tried to escape, and now you'll get it! Skiff, shoot them!"

Skiff hesitated, gun clutched in his trembling hands.

"Skiff, don't do it," Daisy said calmly, trying to talk him down.

"Do it, Skiff! Fire!"

BANG!

The four engine drivers jumped back as Sailor John howled in pain, clutching his leg where Skiff had shot it.

"Come on, we gotta go!"

"Skiff, you traitor! You'll pay for this, if it's the last thing I do!

Quickly, the five ran away as fast as they could, Sailor John hobbling after them.

At last, they reached Duck and Diesel's parked engines, Daisy and Diesel climbing into the diesel engine while Duck helped Skiff and Ryan into his.

"Alright, everyone aboard?"

"Yes, now go!"

Suddenly, a stick of dynamite sailed over their heads, exploding right on the other side of the tracks.

"What the-"

"You scurvy dogs! I'll send you to Davy Jones's Locker for this!"

Sailor John came roaring up in a pickup truck, lit dynamite in one hand as he chased towards them.

"That's our cue!"

Buffer to buffer, the two engines raced out of the canyon, Sailor John was right behind them, still throwing dynamite at them.

"I'll get you yet!"

"Can't this hunk of junk go any faster?"

"We're going as fast as we can!"

BOOM!

"Well, it's not fast enough!"

The two engines raced down the line, Sailor John right behind throwing dynamite at them and barely missing them.

At last, the five reached Arlesburgh Harbor. As soon as they reached the docks, the five scrambled out to catch their breath.

"Is he still behind us?"

"I'VE GOT YOU!"

"I'll take that as a yes?"

Sailor John leapt from the truck and marched towards them, gun at the ready.

"Alright you five, this ends now! I'll put an end to you, then I'll go after the treasure!"

"Freeze! Put your hands in the air!"

Before the old sailor could react, he was swarmed by police on all sides. Realizing he was outnumbered, Sailor John dropped his gun and raised his hands in the air.

"You're under arrest for kidnapping, ransoming, child abuse, and attempted murder…"

As Sailor John was being prepared for transport, the head of police approached them.

"It's a good thing you called us. Sorry we had to use you as bait."

"Ah well, all's well that ends well, I suppose."

But Ryan had spoken too soon. Sailor John, in one last desperate burst, broke away from the police and ran for his gun.

"If I'm going down, I'm taking one of you with me!"

Daisy froze as the gun fired, closing her eyes as she waited for the end…

Only to be pushed out of the way, Diesel taking the bullet for her as he hit the ground. Everyone gasped, and immediately rushed over to him.

"Diesel!"

"Someone call an ambulance!"

"Diesel, can you hear me? Stay with me!"