I traveled at night and rested during the day. One day, I saw a girl running along a path. Suddenly, she slipping and fell into a raging river. I went in after her, and saved her. Suddenly, someone else came along and ripped her from my arms and ran into the woods. I followed them. When I reached them, the man shot me with his gun.
Inflamed with pain, I again vowed revenge against humanity. After a while my wound healed, but I no longer found joy from the birds and flowers. One night, whilst I was nearly asleep, I saw a young boy running and playing. I had a grand idea, that I may kidnap the boy, and make him my friend. I grabbed him and restrained him.
"Calm down, I don't want to hurt you" I said
"Let me go you ugly wretch" He cried " Let me go, or I will tell me father!"
"You will never see your father again"
"My father is M. Frankenstein, he will ruin you!"
"Frankenstein?! He is my enemy, so you will be my first victim"
And I killed him. I felt joy at his death. I saw the locket on his neck, and took it. I placed it in the skirt of a young woman so that she would be guilty.
I have come to you for one reason. I want you to create a woman for me, one as ugly as me, one that will give me companionship.
The monster was done telling his tale. When I did not reply, he said " You must create a female for me. You alone are capable, and it is a right of mine."
I was angry at him for the death of the child, for the guilt of the woman. "I will not give you your wish. Begone! No torture will cause me to agree with you"
"You are wrong" said the monster "and I will not torture you. I will reason with you. I am dangerous because I am shunned, and I have no one to be with me. Man hates me, so why should I spare him? If man were to be kind, I would serve them as my master and equal. But that can't be, because to humans my appearance speaks for me. But I will not let this be...I will pull revenge. I will work at your destruction, creator, until you welcome death.
His face contorted into an awful shape. He pulled himself together, and continued.
"I want to reason with you. If you show any kindness to me, I will multiply it greatly. For that one female, I would make peace with human kind. But now I see that cannot be. What I ask is small! The two of us would not be happy, but also we would not be dangerous. Do not deny what I am owed!
I was moved. I thought of the consequences, but his argument had some valid points. Did I not owe him, as his creator, to make him as happy as I could?
He saw my change in heart, and said "If you agree to make me this woman, we will flee to South America. We will eat nuts and berries, we will avoid all men. You have so far been pitiless towards me, but now I see that may have changed. Please!"
"You say that you will leave, but you so seek the sympathy of man! You will return, seeking care, and when you do not get it, you will be furious. But you will have an aid to your destruction. I cannot let that happen!" I said
" Why are you so inconsistent?" I swear to you, I will, if you do as I ask, avoid all man for as long as I may live. I will no longer curse my creator" He pleaded
I felt compassionate towards him. How could I, as his creator, not give him joy?
"You swear, to be pleasant and harmless? But how can this be, when you have already killed? How do I know you aren't tricking me to get an accomplice to kill with?" I snarled.
"I thought you had understood me! My vices are a result of being alone, therefore when I have a companion, I will be left with virtue alone"
I thought about what he said, thought about his story, and his pleading, and my duties. At last, I said "I consent, so long as you agree to leave the area of men forever."
"I swear! I will eagerly await it" And with that, he ran, perhaps thinking I might change me mind.
It was late, and I knew I ought to go home. I traveled, thinking about the demon. I arrived in the morning, and saw my family, who thought it was odd how long I was out. We returned home, where Elizabeth and father tried to calm me with boring life. By degrees, I calmed down, and was tranquil, though the promise weighed heavy in my mind.
Weeks passed, and I could not get the courage to start work. I could not make a female without studying for months again. I needed to visit England to speak with a professor who had made progress. I needed to obtain my father's permission, but I delayed as much as I could. My spirits rose, and my father saw this and hoped to eradicate the last of my pain.
My father basically told me that if I did not want to marry Elizabeth, that I did not have to if I made me sad. I reassured him that I loved her dearly, and intended to marry her. He asked if then, it was okay if we got married right away, in order to make me happier. I was in a state of horror. I wanted to complete my promise and be free of the burden, before starting my new life with Elizabeth. I also remembered needing to go to England. I told my father that I wanted to see the world one last time before settling down. It was agreed that Henry Clerval and I would travel England for 2 years.
My father was pleased with my decisions, and thought that the travel may settle my mind, and let me be happy again. Again I was afraid of the demon. Would he stay in Geneva, and terrify my friends? Would he travel with me, and make me depressed then? Elizabeth thought it was good that I was going, thought it was good that I had a chance at happiness. I got into the carriage, and my whole travel was quiet and filled with despair. I waited 2 days for Henry Clerval, who when we met, was so joyful at the landscape and he noticed how gloomy I was.
You, my friend, would be more interested in his journals than in mine. He spoke about the beautiful towns, the stunning rivers, and the elegant vistas. The scenery even made me joyful. We finally arrived in London, our spirits were raised despite the promise I had made.
London was where we we resting, and we wanted to stay there several months. Clerval wanted to speak with the intelligent men of the era, but this was not primary to me. I needed to complete my promise. If I had visitedthis place when I was a young man, this would have thrilled me, but agony weighed me down. I preferred being alone now, company was irksome to me. Clerval's inquisitiveness reminded me of my younger self.
I tried to keep Clerval happy, and to continue workon the monster. After several months, we got a letter from a person in Scotland,whom we had known at Geneva, and we both were excited at the prospect of seeinghim again. We had arrived in England at the beginning of October, and it wasnow February. I was determined to finish my work in Scotland. We left London onthe 27th of March, and we headed towards Oxford. We enjoyed the history of theplace, and the picturesque landscape. Myenjoyment was weighed down by my promise
