Chapter Text
I saw Victor stumble into the pub, he looked like he was about to trip and fall into his own grave. His pale, haunted eyes scanned the room before they locked on mine. The tiniest bit of light appeared behind them. Assuring me that Victor might still have a soul in that body. I still sprung to life seeing my best friend draw near despite his ghastly appearance. “My dear Frankenstein,” I said, clasping a hand on his shriveled shoulder. “How glad I am to see you! how fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting!”
I watched as Victor slowly came to life again in my presence. But I could tell there was a toll on him, and one so heavy that I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it was. I was determined to help him, because Victor was my friend. Despite it all. I told him small stories of his friends and family back home. How my Father finally let me go to college and learn! I told him how they all miss his company and how much we all missed him.
“It gives me the greatest delight to see you; but tell me how you left my father, brothers, and Elizabeth.” Victor said after a while. His skin slowly became more fleshed and alive. It still amazes me how sickly he truly looked. Even worse than I expected.
“Very Well, and very happy, only a little uneasy that they hear from you so seldom.- But, my dear Frankenstein,” I stopped to truly take in the sickly state of his face. His hair was wild. It almost looked like his hair was already graying at his young age. O, what stress was placed upon him? The begs under his eyes and sickly purple, adding an almost yellow look to his eyes in compliment. His lips cracked and pale, pieces of skin grown thick around them. The bite marks left by his teeth littered his lower lip. “ I did not before remark how very ill you appear; so thin and pale; you look as if you had been watching for several nights.”
The look in his eyes gave me the suspicion that I was right. Fear washed over his sickly frame. Like he remembered the deepest, darkest pain. “You have guessed right; I have lately been so deeply engaged in one occupation, that I have not allowed myself to sufficient rest, as you see; but I hope, sincerely hope, that all these employments are now at an end, and I am at length free.” Victor trembled greatly as if he recalled the most bone chilling nightmare or horror. I have officially reached the limit of my curiosity, I had to know what troubled him so terribly that it left this shaking man in its wake.
“My dear Frankenstein, what could possibly have happened to have you come to me looking like this? What terror haunts your mind?” I asked. Victor shrunk inside of himself. A shame loomed in the air, even though I had no idea what it even was. Thoughts seemed to race through his mind. Soon, Victor let out a sigh of defeat. Regret written on his face already.
“I have made something,” he paused. “Something terrible and wretched. Beyond your imagination! It’s terrible I tell you Henry, just terrible. I left him in my dormitory, I couldn't stand to see its face any longer. How wretched my daemon is.” Tears prickled at Victor's eyes as they stared with hatred at the floor. I was left in such a shock I didn’t even know what to say. What has he made? Is it truly as terrible as he said it was? What even was it? “It’s a creature, one of terrible features despite my intentions. It may look human but do not be fooled my dear friend, there is no human soul in that thing.” Victor said, his voice dripping with hatred towards this creature that he spoke of. Looked human? What in the heavens does that mean?
“Victor, I must see it. I have to understand what this creature is.” I demanded. I immediately started to gather my things. Preparing for whatever travel this journey would take.
“No, no henry we can’t he’s a monster! Please, dear friend, I beg of you!” Victor pressed his hands on my chest. Stopping my movements with his very little strength. His eyes in a panic, silently pleading me to never bring him back into the presence of his creature again. But something deep in my bones told me I had to. Like if I didn’t, something would go horribly wrong. So deeply terribly wrong.
“Victor, we have to go see it, and learn about it. Please tell me where you are keeping it.” I said. I didn’t know Victor’s face could get any paler. His features drooped on his face. “Victor, where do you have it contained?” I asked slowly and deliberately. A fear cheeped into my chest, filling my lungs. Victor just slowly began to shake his head , his eyes closing in shame. “Victor, is he not contained? Is he just roaming around Ingolstadt? Freely for fate to have the creature at their disposal?” I started to walk down the street, Victor tripping over himself at my rear. In my haste I heard Victor’s pleas to stop or to reconsider. But I did not stop. I don’t think I could have even if I wanted. I now felt absolutely obligated towards this unnamed creature that was unknowingly stumbling across the university. If it was even still there.
Then I spotted it, I knew in an instant that it was the creature Victor spoke of. The thing clung to a small brown piece of fabric in its large hands. Its long hair shrouded its face, but I imagined that it would match the pale yellow skin that stretched thin across his limbs and torso. It had no shoes or clothes of any kind, which led to my awe of the creature. It was built masterfully. As if the statue of David fell apart and then fused back together with the cracks on full display. I drew closer to the creature, I heard its small whimpers and groans of discomfort. His hands tried to cover its own face. Hiding from something I did not know. I raised my hand towards it, even though it had no clue I was even there.
“Henry don’t! Please he might hurt you!” Victor shouted a few feet back. The creature’s head shot towards the sound. It’s hair flying over his shoulder. Fear and panic covered its face. I could understand Victor’s initial fear upon seeing the face of the creature. But the longer I stood, I began to truly see its humanity. His black lips drawn into a thin frown on its face. Tears leaving trails of water on his sharp cheeks. His eyes held nothing but fear, but there was most certainly a soul in the creature.
“Hello, Victor’s creature” I said softly. Its eyes locked on mine. I got to see how interesting they were. One was almost white, his dilated pupil contrasting the iris. His other was a deep brown, a yellowish tint to it. They shined and shimmered with tears, in pain. It opened its lips and made a small sound, so I took it as a greeting. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I said walking slowly towards him, with my hands outstretched to my sides, palms facing him. The creature held the shirt close to his chest, like a child would to a little toy. Fear is still clutching onto the creature’s mind. I drew ever so closer, and slowly his eyes almost seemed inviting despite their initial appearance.
I reached my right hand towards him, slowly as I could, brushing a strand of dry black hair out of his face and behind its ear. The creature crumbled to the ground. Broken sobs and cries filled the air as he held his face in his hands. I didn’t know what else to do , so I wrapped my arms around him best I could with his size. I took a moment to look back at Victor who seemed to be paralyzed in shock and horror. His jaw loose and dropped, his mouth a gaping O. Eyes wide and unblinking. I gestured him over but he refused to move his weak limbs. He barely even shook his head. I sighed as I turned my attention back to the being in my arms. He had leaned onto the shoulder at some moment, nesting into my dress coat. “O poor creature, what has my friend done to you?” I said as I began to thread my fingers through the thin hair on his head.
A few moments passed before I felt Victor’s hands on my shoulder. I turned to him. Even the now calm creature looked up at him from behind my shoulder. “Thank you, Dearest Henry.” He said before looking at the being’s eyes. Victor was clearly unsure on how to view his creation, but it wasn’t pure disgust anymore. “Let’s take it back to my dormitory. Then figure out what to do with it.” Victor said, tearing his eyes away from the creature’s. I felt a sudden confused anger in my core.
“What to do with it? Dear Frankenstein, we must raise him. He has a human soul. I can see it.” I breathed heavily, “How can’t you?”
Victor stopped in his tracks, looked over his shoulder at me and opened his mouth and took a deep breath. Before not speaking and shaking his head, walking away. I was taken aback at his behavior. What has happened to my dear friend? To turn him this cold towards his own creation. I looked back to the sad creature in my arms and a frown found its place on my lips. He shook terribly and I was filled with pity for him.
I lifted his head up from my shoulder to look in his eyes. A smile returned to my face. “Alright, let's get you some clothes.” The creature just continued to stare at me without difference. I let out a small chuckle. I realized that he couldn’t understand me at all. Like I was talking to a little child. Completely unaware and innocent. I still decide to speak to him, perhaps it will help him feel better in a way. I stood, and the being followed suit.
We stumbled our way back to Victor’s apartment/ dormitory and he was there laying in his bed. An empty bottle of who knows what was laying on the floor. Muffled snores filled the room as candles flickered around the room. Once again a faint frustration came to the front of my mind. How could Victor abandon his creature in this sad little room? I watched as the creature’s interest was piqued by a little candle on the dresser off in the corner of the room.
“Victor,” I said sternly. The man stirred painfully in his bed. Letting out a long groan as he lifted his head from the squashed pillow ‘neath his head. “We need to discuss the creation.” Victor rolled over with much effort. The pain and suffering on his sickly face reminded me of the state my friend was in. He clearly wasn’t in his right mind, and I don’t know how long he has been in his crazed state. But despite that, I still found myself mildly frustrated with the man.
“ What is there to discuss? I mean it’s only been here for - oh my lord it’s right there!” Victor shot up in his bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. “You let it back in here?” I stared at Victor again. That confirms my suspicions. He was very much not in a good mental state.
“Yes, I let him in,” I sighed, my head falling back onto my shoulders in exasperation. “where else would I have put him, or done with him?” I saw Victor have to think this carefully over before giving a small shrug. Another sigh left my chest. This has proven to be quite the exciting first day of higher education!
“Look Victor, you have to at least name him.” I said, resting a hand on my hip. Letting myself be comfortable in my friend’s presence. Victor’s face shriveled in disgust.
“Name him? It’s not a ‘him’, Henry, it shouldn’t get a name.” Victor said, casting his hateful gaze upon the creature. Who was still enamored with the small candle, unaware of the eyes upon him. The candle light reflected brightly in his glittering eyes. I gave Victor a sharp look. My eyebrows furrowed on my face.
“Ok, fine; I’ll name him.” I said, turning my gaze back to the creature with a gentle softness. I regained Victor’s attention. Confusion written across his features. Like he was questioning everything he knew about me. As I was about him.
“Henry, my dearest friend, my colleague, please; I have created a monster! Monsters do not deserve names! Especially that wretch!” Victor shouted, finally coming to his feet, standing up as straight as he could in his weakened state.
“That wretch is marveled by a simple candle flame!” I shouted loudly. We both turned back to the creature. He was still watching the flame flicker and sway before the creature let out a sigh in awe. The flame fell on its side and was extinguished. A thin line of smoke in its wake. The creature’s jaw dropped suddenly in shock, eyes wide in disbelief. In an instant his face turned into an expression of the deepest grief and loss. He continued to squish his face onto the wood beside the candle. Tears already making their way down his cheeks. A large frown on his crinkled lips. The deepest sorrow in his eyes. A couple of sad mumbles of strangled sounds came from the poor creature.
“See Victor, he mourns over a put out candle.” I said, pointing at the creature as he continues his small painful sounds of mourning. Victor took some time to reflect on the pitiful scene in front of him. It took him a moment before another sigh dragged itself out of Victor’s throat.
“Fine, if you must give a name to that,” Victor looked at him for a moment, a soft anger behind Victor’s foggy eyes “thing; then do so.” He said before finding his way towards his very obvious liquor cabinet. Which was strung open and half full of empty bottles. I shook my head. My poor friend resolving himself to a state this low. Perhaps with me moving to college and being closer to him he will learn to find the quiet joys in life once more. A few mountain trails to reflect on life. Boat rides in the lake. Quiet walks around campus, just talking of science and life. But I get ahead of myself, I must bestow the most valuable thing a human being may ever have. The greatest mercy I can give to the creature.
“Lets see here,” I said, lowering myself beside the creature. He tore his eyes from the smoking wick to look at my smiling face. A little joy returned to his glittering eyes as he lifted his head from the dresser to fully look at me. I thought about it for a moment. What to name this magnificent creature. I could draw inspiration from many things. So much literature has prepared me for this moment. The idea of Prometheus crossed my mind, but I figured that would be more fitting for Victor’s position. Old Latin perhaps? Or a German name for the country of which he was made? A first of his kind, but so terribly human. Adam. Of course, he was the creation of passion, sent to live peacefully in the garden of Eden. That would be his name, and this dorm will be their garden. Their paradise.
My hand reached out to hold the cheek of the creature. The faintest warmth coming from his pale, yellow skin warmed my palm. “Adam, will be your name.” I said searching his eyes for some sort of approval. The creature smiled at me. A soft grin stretched across his tin lips as a soft hum came from him. “Me and Victor will look after you as our own,” I said, raising my other hand to truly cradle his large face. Resting my thumbs over his sharp cheek bones. “Won’t we Victor?” I heard a grunt of agreement from behind me, and in that moment, is all I wanted to hear. Even Adam seemed pleased with Victor’s passing encouragement.
“We will love and raise you, Dear Adam, and teach you the riches of human nature and life.” I said, picturing the most wonderful and warm feeling of living with Victor in the University. Perhaps with trips to England and Ireland to see the rolling green hills and purchasing books of poems and stories to share with Adam. Letters from Family far off in Geneva lighting up our weeks of harsh study. “Oh the life we will lead, My dear Adam.” I said, turning my gaze back to the ill man behind me. Victor clutching his hand around the neck of the bottle. His face scrunched up in thought instead of harsh disgust for the first time that whole evening. Deep in meaningful thought. As if he shared the same vivid life as I had just envisioned. I looked back to Adam, who had melted into the warmth of my hands. A soft red developing in his cheeks, meaning the blood in his veins finally returning the warmth of life into his face and body. I couldn’t help but wonder what he could grow to be. Perhaps a scholar to impress professors and scribes across Europe. Or a simple cottager living far out in the foot hills of Mount Blanc. I only pictured the best of futures for the three of us. “To truly learn what it means to be Alive.” I whispered, for Adam’s ears and his only. He closed his eyes, accepting the safety and comfort of his future. Destined for a glorious purpose, I am sure of it.
Works Cited
Shelley, Mary Wollencraft . Frankenstein, 1831. Print.
Ok so i dont know if this is even in character for Henry, but this is basically just me in his body ok? Yeah ok. But yes! I went overboard!