Sodor's New Worker

Storm

   The rain poured heavily over the island, impeding the vision of several engines trying to make deliveries or take passengers. Annoying and a little dangerous, but nothing that would have the railway screeching to a halt. Everyone had to suck it up and deal with it. Everyone but Maddy, of course, but then again, she had to deal with a splitting headache. All the stressing from Duck breaking up with her, Nate being an unreliable little snitch, and who knew what else made her head pound like there was no tomorrow. The magic in her veins didn't help one bit. It never did when it came to ailments of any sort.

   With her family and comrades facing the rain, they were far too preoccupied with being safe to stop what they were doing to text and chatter with her, so as far as she knew, she was alone in this endeavor until the evening, if that. She had Snickerdoodle, but that was it. Maddy didn't consider her magic another separate being; not one to converse with, anyway. If anything, it was a tricky little deity that resided in her body. A parasite of sorts. 

   She looked outside, the glass of her window pitter pattering with the sound of harsh raindrops. Lightning struck nearby. At the actual Dryaw station, she thought to herself.

"I did this to myself.." she groaned, staring at her ceiling. "I'm bored and in pain..maybe.."

   Peering out her window, she could see the slippery rails in the distance. Perhaps a job would distract her from the pain in her head. Long as she wasn't paired up with anyone, she was content doing anything at the moment. 

   Heaving her body off her couch, she stood in the middle of her living room, scrolling through contacts until she found the number for Sir Topham Hatt, or rather 'Big Boss Man 🎩'. The call button was pressed with a finger she wasn't aware was subtly shaking. It rang and rang. The controller did have a phone like the rest of them did, but he had a bad habit of not having it on him. So, if it came to it, she'd have to haul ass outside in the rain and go look for him and practically beg him for something to do.

"Hello?" his voice bellowed through her speaker. "What can I do for you, Maddy?"

"Well..." she started, pacing around her room. It was a habit she had when on the phone. "I know I put in a week for mental issues...but I've got a splitting headache and am bored out the wazoo...so.."

"Isn't that a little counterproductive?" Sir Topham Hatt sternly asked. "You should rest."

"And be left alone with my thoughts?" she retorted. "I need something to do. Alone, preferably."

"There's no telling you to back down, is there??"

   Sighing heavily, Maddy heard papers shuffling through her phone, as if he was looking for something.

"Well, it seems that Thomas needs assistance with a train that he underestimated. Nate isn't available to help, so unless someone does, he's stuck taking the train in two loads."

"Mmm..I'm a strong Avonside. I think I can help."

"Of course you're capable, my dear." he chuckled. "You are unlike anything this island has seen. He's at Brendam waiting for Cranky to unload everything."

'Piss." she snapped, tongue in cheek. "I'm at home in Dryaw.."

"Don't think about speeding. You have to follow the rules. Especially with the condition you're in. I'm going against my better judgement here and letting you go. Don't overexert yourself. When I said you're unlike anything I've seen, I've meant it. It's difficult to take care of you; especially with all the...mush inside. Victor wasn't fibbing about that for a laugh, was he?"

"No sir. There's mush in my boiler. That's why I run so cool, or I'd cook myself alive."

"Good to know that's the truth. Stay safe, my dear, and follow the rules."