The Forest Shed

James had arrived on the Island of Sodor just a couple of days ago, and was trying hard to be a useful engine. But no matter how hard he tried, there were engines that flatly refused to accept the fact that he was fast and strong like them.
Once again, while waiting for passengers at Vicarstown station, Gordon drove up to him on the next line and started teasing him.
  — And yet, how ridiculous it is. — He began out of nowhere.
— What are you talking about? — Asked the black engine.
  — About you thinking you are something you are not. — The blue express answered with an arrogant sneer.
James immediately understood what he meant.
  — I am a useful engine! — He objected.
  — Really? Can you overtake me? To Knapford station.
James did not really like this idea, but he wanted to prove that he was no worse than Gordon.
— I will!
As soon as the station attendant gave the signal, the two engines started off. And it was clear from the start that Gordon would win, despite all of James's efforts.
As James approached Knapford station, he could clearly see the express ahead. He slammed on the brakes, causing them to smoke.
Gordon was about to start humiliating him again, but he smelled a burning smell from his brakes.
  — What's that smell? — He asked, sniffing. He noticed smoke from the black engine. — Are your brakes made of wood?
James didn't want to admit it, but he had to.
  — Yes... — he answered, catching his breath after the high-speed ride.
This amused Gordon, and became another reason for mockery.
  — Oh, now I get it, you're so slow because you're afraid your brakes will catch fire? —
  — No way! They don't catch fire, and I'm not slow! — James was incredibly offended, and Gordon just continued to laugh at him.
James was so upset that he wanted to cry. So, leaving his coaches at the station, he decided to go somewhere where he could be alone.
  — Hey, where are you going? — Gordon asked after him.
  — Somewhere away from you all! — James shouted, speeding up so that no one would see his despair.
The night was gradually approaching, but this was only for the better. It meant that no one needed him now and he could be alone.
After a couple of hours, the night darkness became impenetrable. Even with a lantern, the view was a maximum of 2 meters ahead.
James tried to stay calm, despite the incredible fatigue and... The ending coal in the tender.
"Maybe I should have taken more before escaping..?" He thought to himself.
And then, after some time, there was no coal left at all and James just stood there.
  — No, why now?! — He cursed.
He was desperate. Alone. In the middle of the forest. In the darkest hour. And the fog had begun to settle on the ground. In such conditions, no one could help the black locomotive.
He was ready to start screaming and calling for help, because the darkness and rustling in the bushes did not inspire confidence. Worse, he began to hear someone's voice and, it seemed, singing. At first he thought he was going crazy, but then he realized that someone was really calling him...
  — Don't be afraid... Come to me... — A gentle female voice was heard from the fog.
James became wary. Who could it be? Where was he, or rather, where was she?
  — What..? — The only thing he could say. He could not even find the strength to say that he basically could not move from the spot.
Something in the fog stirred, and later the silhouette of a train appeared. The most terrible thing about it was what seemed to be glowing eyes.  They were like two turquoise lights. Soon, a beautiful train pulled out to meet James. It was her. She looked like a tank locomotive, but was larger than the usual tank locomotives; she was almost his size. She was painted black, with a green and blue pattern on her tanks. And her eyes... Ordinary, but so hypnotizing. There is something in them that can make you admire them for hours. At the sight of such beauty, James involuntarily forgot about fear, and felt an inexplicable warmth in the boiler and cheeks.
The stranger just looked at the black engine for a while, and then she smiled tenderly at it.
  — Who are you, stranger? Do you need help? — Her voice was calm and a little low. Her appearance forced him to tell it like it was.
  — I... I'm James, and... Yes, I think I could use some help...
The stranger giggled.
  — You're out of coal?
James was shocked. How did she know?
  — Yes...
She began to slowly approach. It looked a little creepy, but at the same time she did not look threatening.
  — Let me take you to my shed. You can spend the night, and when you wake up, your tender will be full again.
A small click was heard, as if she had latched onto him and was ready to pull him. How it happened so quickly and without the help of the crew, was unclear. And wouldn't it be dangerous? If she were to go backwards?  It seemed that James didn't have much of a choice, as he could already feel himself being pulled slowly.
  — Okay... — He mumbled.
The black and turquoise engine grinned and pulled him in an unknown direction.
While this was happening, James couldn't take his eyes off her face. She was so at ease, she looked so happy. They were so close to each other... He even felt a little awkward about it.
And yet... Something was wrong. It seemed that her beauty was so expressive that it even scared him to the point of shaking in his axes.
At last they arrived at the shed. It was quite large. Of course, not like the one in Tidmouth, but with a turntable and several entrances.
As soon as the stranger pulled James onto the turntable, he immediately felt an irresistible drowsiness. He literally couldn't keep his eyes open, no matter how hard he tried. Everything was blurry before his eyes; except for her face.  She was still smiling at him.
  — Sleep... Sleep... — She whispered to him, and then, it seemed, she began to hum some song.
In the end, he could not stand it any longer and fell asleep.
One word that united his dreams was mysticism. He saw his old friends, his new friends, the whole island and her, watching them everywhere, and also humming the same enchanting melody.
  — James... James... — He heard through his sleep. — Wake up, James...
With a sleepy groan, he slowly opened his eyes, seeing the same black and turquoise locomotive in front of him. It was dawn outside, the fog had not yet cleared.
  — James... How are you? Ready to go back to Tidmouth? — She asked.
After that, James immediately felt the fire flaring up in his firebox. So his tender was full, and he could go back.
  — Yes..! I'm ready! — He said as confidently as he could.
The whole time they were traveling, she rode on the line next to him. And she really did see him to Tidmouth sheds.
James was incredibly happy to be back. He rushed forward.
— Thank you! Thank you very much!  — He exclaimed. He stopped a little. — By the way, I forgot to ask, what is your name?
But there was no answer. The black and turquoise engine disappeared like smoke, dissolved in the fog.
  — Hey... Are you there? — He tried to call her, not realizing that she simply wasn’t there.
  — James! — Suddenly a voice was heard from the sheds.
The black engine shuddered, recognizing the stern voice of Sir Topham Hatt. He walked towards him with a displeased, but at the same time worried look.
  — James! Where have you been all night? They’re looking for you everywhere!
Edward drove up to him from the other side.
  — James? You’re back! — He was less stern, but no less worried. — We almost went crazy!
Later, Gordon and Henry showed up, who were also ready to scold James.
The black engine had no choice but to tell everything, starting from the quarrel and ending with the strange disappearance of the beautiful stranger.
Everyone was a little shocked, but they took his story as nonsense. Everyone, except... Gordon, who looked like he knew something, but tried not to show it.
  — A shed in the forest? I've never seen anything like that... — Said Edward, puzzled.
  —Um, James, forgive me for what I told you yesterday; and for what I'm going to say now... But it seems your psyche has shaken a little. — Said Gordon, not believing James's story. Or maybe he believed... But pretended not to believe...
  — But it's true! I saw her! That... Strange engine... I didn't even have time to ask her name... — James said sadly.
In the end, this story was hushed up, but James knew that it was true. He saw her. He felt her presence. And he knew that one day he would meet her again.