Frankenstein's Bastard Child

Volume 4

I didn't know where I was at the time, I had been so cocky like I was some hero and now this. But what is a hero? I'm just a murder in a flashy outfit. It's not even that flashy what am I even doing here.

     I was standing in a field of blood red colored wheat like the entire world had been on its period. What caught me by surprise though was that the rivers were flowing with wine full bodied and beautiful releasing intoxicating fumes enough to make the birds flying above sway and rock. It was funny. Normally I'd want to lose myself in the smooth lustful embrace of the grape but not now. Now I wanted my senses acute hearing, sight, smell. I needed to take everything in. But my focus was interrupted by a hooded figure at the edge of the river bank next to the only pink thing in this red drowned field. Just like the tree they looked out of place but somehow still confident and beautiful, the kind of beauty you'd kill for the kind your best friend has. You love her, you'd take a bullet for her but on the other hand you'd sell her out for a fraction of that power over herself.

  "Sit Down" I did. "It's beautiful here, did you make this?"

I had to think about that. I couldn't help but feel responsible for being here, I grew the grapes, the wheat, the hops but what does that mean? Anyone could've done this. I only have the calluses on my hands to show for it.

  "Maybe, what's so great about it?"

No matter how hard I tried I couldn't see their face behind the hood. If you asked me at the time I couldn't even describe their figure.

  "You called me beautiful."

  The memories started to flood back. The tower, my old man, and them. At the time you could barely tell they were human, just a gray mess of flesh and a set of teeth and eyes. Looking back if any sane person were to hear me, some nice men in white coats in a nice and cushiony padded cell but that doesn't change how I felt and feel now.

  "I meant it, I can't explain it but I'm jealous" If I could see their face I would assume they looked confused.

"You do realize how insane you sound right now don't you?"

"I don't see the problem" Despite their form I couldn't quite see them in any other way than a friend you share everything with. Granted not necessarily because you like them, just because they seem sweet.

"How do you know I'm even human?"

"I don't"  Being human's overrated anyway.

"So why?"

I didn't have to think too hard. In those eyes I saw pain and suffering but the sound of that heart. It wasn't beating to stay alive or take advantage of the fact that I was intoxicated.

"You asked if I was ok, you tried to help me even when you couldn't walk"

They seemed confused.

"When it comes to potential partners I've got a sweet tooth"

A moment of silence passed before they burst out laughing like a little kid, maybe the afterlife won't be so bad with them around.

"You're a strange one, miss Alice, so shall we go back?"

"From what? I thought we were dead, isn't this like the afterlife or something?" They stood up dusting themselves off.

  "Not yet, you still have to meet the real me. That reminds me you haven't told me what my body should look like."

I didn't feel like they were joking like whatever I say they'll become, I can mold them into anything I want, something comforting or strong and confident. Someone who would never leave and would protect me so I would never be alone. That's probably what my mother would have wanted. She loved me didn't she. She probably only married my dad so I could be protected.

Sorry Mom, my heart won't let me. I don't know if I can promise I'll be safe this time.

I still love you though.

"Be what makes you feel beautiful"

They looked at me with what I could only assume was confusion, or maybe distance. Surprise possibly? I couldn't tell, again no face. Kinda hard to read.

"You might not like what that looks like."

"So? Does it look like I care?"

They began to chuckle a bit which then progressed to a cackle like no one has ever really asked them a personal question before. What kinda BS foreshadowing was that?

"You must really have some screws loose. I mean this is a really bad idea. What do I do if things get out of hand, I-I mean what if I screw up?"

   This was a bit of an odd development, was the mysterious entity in front of me getting flustered? I don't really know how to feel about this.

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"Well... Ok fine then but if anything happens I'm going to blame you."

   As the tone of the conversation shifted I began to take the lead. It honestly felt like I was talking to a nerdy high schooler. Wasn't really sure whether to try to playfully tease them or punch them in the face. This should not have been my mind set considering the situation I'm in.

"Whatever freak show, if anything happens I'll take care of it."

They stood up lending an outstretched hand. "I'll hold you to that"

One more solitary thing slipped my mouth before I woke up from this whole fever dream.

"Also can you give yourself a huge ass?" They chuckled at the notion.

"Nice try, freak show."