Chapter Text
My dearest Captain,
Writing this doesn't come easy, however, I feel obligated to let you have a part in what will be the last of my regrets before I am laid to rest forever. Soon, I will seek out that which has haunted me for far too long, hoping to finally find peace.
Please do not mourn over me too long. I have caused far too much grief already.
There are not enough words in the world to describe how much your kindness means to me. Ever since you have found me my every thought has been consumed by you.
I cannot bear to take these words into my grave. Hiding my affections has never worked, so I shall lay them out into the open now. I am overcome with joy at the thought of you. Being beside you has made the cold of this dark place bearable, and has filled the emptiness of my soul with emotions I won't dare speak of. Take this as you will, but i'm sure your clever mind has already deduced my intentions.
I shall be on my way soon, as your men have informed me that they have spotted my creation not far from here.
This is a goodbye, yet I hope it to be a happy one. Parting from you and your warm embrace is no easy task and yet I shall fulfill it, to spare you and me both the anguish that being near me brings.
Truthfully, I fear what could happen should I get any closer to you. All these weeks I have feared and known him to come closer. He always finds me. He has brought eternal doom over me and everyone I have ever cared for. But no, blaming the creation I have brought to life is not right. After all, were it not my hands that brought him to life, my hands that subsequently closed around my brother’s and sister’s throat, that killed the best friend I have ever had? Was it not my thirst for new findings that brought upon my ruin?
I know now that I need to end this myself, make amends for the wrongs I have committed.
I will not harm him, I will not fight, for I know I am destined to die today.
I thank you, friend, for all you have done, as I bid you farewell.
Yours,
Victor Frankenstein
The low light of the flickering candles illuminated his gaunt face and threw large shadows over the interior of the captain's cabin. Victor set down his pen with a quiet sigh, waiting for the ink to dry and for his words to become permanent. He was still unsure if declaring his affections to his savior was the best decision he could make, but it didn't matter either way. Staying away and finishing what needed to be done was the safest option for every party involved.
Victor had debated with himself greatly if just going home or, god forbid, going to England with Robert could be an option. His heart so desperately yearned for normalcy, to just leave it all behind and embrace a domestic life far away from the monsters haunting his dreams. He knew, however, that any attempt would be futile, as he seemed unable to escape his past. Brushing away any doubts about what he was about to do, Victor instead tried to redirect his thoughts into happier realms, thinking back on all the times he spent alongside his dear companion.
The said captain was sleeping soundly, a woolen blanket pulled tight over his large frame to protect from the cold seeping in from outside. Every now and then, he moved slightly, making small noises as if caught in a deep dream.
Victor smiled wistfully, slowly standing on unsteady feet. He haltingly approached the sleeping man, looking down at him with a worn gaze. Tenderly, he placed the letter on the small stool that stood next to the bed, hesitating only for a moment before stepping away again.
Thinking of Robert always brought with it a quiet melancholy. He was in no way similar to Henry or even Elizabeth, yet he reminded Victor of his dearest friends either way; how Victor had brought upon their ruin, and how he could never stop blaming himself for what had occurred. At first he had tried pushing the blame on others, condemning humanity for its treatment of his creation, but in the end, Victor had to admit that if he hadn't been blinded by both his scientific breakthrough and the resulting horror, none of the events would have ever transpired.
Taking in a sharp breath, he determinedly reached for the coat Robert lent him, making his way out of the cabin and onto the ships main deck, trying to avoid the gaze of any of the sailors so as to not raise suspicions. Victor was certain Robert's crew already thought of him as odd, the grim stranger who came into their midst half frozen to death. Even after Robert had nurtured him back to what could be considered alive, Victor had refused to meet the other crew members. Even being around Robert proved hard on some days, either due to his constant paranoid state or his perpetual guilt that followed him no matter the kind words his dear companion spared him.
Engrossed in thought, Victor only noticed he had reached the end of the ship once he stumbled against the railing.
The ship was docked onto the arctic ground, its now frozen rope slung around a small block of ice.
Victor's foggy breath obscured his vision, yet he still recognized the large shape in the distance to be of human nature.
He looked up at the sky one last time, gathering his breath as the stars shone bright to accompany him in his quiet solitude, that would soon end.
Collecting his strength for this last journey, Victor Frankenstein stepped onto the thick, snow covered ice, walking toward what he believed to be his destiny.