Chapter 10

I spent the whole next day just wandering around the valley. I stood by the source of the Arveiron, which starts as a glacier, slowly creeping down from the hills to basically block off the valley. Massive mountains loomed on either side; the icy wall of the glacier hung over me.

A few broken pines were scattered about. The quiet, awesome feeling of this incredible space - like Nature’s throne room - was only broken by the rushing water or the sound of a huge chunk breaking off.

The rumble of an avalanche, or the cracking of the ice echoing through the mountains - it was all happening because, through natural laws, the ice was constantly breaking and shifting, like a toy in someone’s hands. These epic, gorgeous scenes gave me the most comfort I could find.

They lifted me above all the small stuff, and while they didn't erase my sadness, they calmed it down, for sure. They also took my mind off the things I'd been obsessing over for the last month.

I went to bed that night, and my sleep felt like it was being watched over and cared for by all the amazing things I’d seen during the day.

The pristine snowy peaks, the shimmering summits, the pine forests, the jagged ravines - even the eagles soaring in the clouds - they all gathered around me and told me to chill.

Where had they gone when I woke up the next morning? Everything that lifted my spirits had vanished with sleep, and a heavy sadness clouded my thoughts. The rain was coming down in sheets, and thick fog hid the mountain peaks - I couldn't even see my friends' faces.

Still, I was gonna push through the mist and find them in their secluded spots. What did rain and storms even matter to me? My mule was brought out, and I decided to head up Montanvert. I remembered how seeing that massive, ever-changing glacier blew my mind when I first saw it.

It totally filled me with this awesome feeling, like my soul got wings and could fly from the gloomy world to light and joy. Seeing something powerful and majestic in nature always had this effect of calming my mind and making me forget about everyday worries.

I decided to go it alone, since I knew the trail well, and having someone else there would ruin the whole vibe.

The climb's seriously steep, but the trail winds around a bunch, making it doable. It’s a totally desolate scene. You can see signs of winter avalanches everywhere - trees are snapped and scattered, some totally wrecked, others bent over, leaning on the rocks or across other trees.

As you climb higher, the path cuts through snowy ravines where rocks constantly tumble from above. One's especially risky; even talking loud can trigger a blast of air that could drop something right on your head. The pines aren't tall or lush, just dark and gloomy, adding to the harsh vibe.

I looked down at the valley. Thick mists were rising from the rivers, swirling around the far mountains, whose peaks were lost in the clouds. Rain was pouring from the dark sky, making the whole thing feel even more depressing. Seriously, why do people brag about having deeper feelings than animals?

It just makes them more vulnerable. If we only felt hunger, thirst, and desire, we could be pretty chill. But now we’re affected by every little thing - a random word or a quick glimpse of something that brings it all back. We chill for a bit. Even a dream can mess with your sleep.

We wake up, and one random thought can ruin your whole day. We feel, think, or figure things out; we laugh or cry, cling to sadness, or try to shake off our worries. It’s all the same: whether it's good or bad, it’s gotta go somewhere. A person’s yesterday is never like their tomorrow.

The only thing that lasts is change!

I finally made it to the top, and it was almost noon. I chilled out on this rock with a killer view of the ice field. A fog rolled over everything - the ice and the mountains around it. Then a breeze blew it away, and I headed down onto the glacier.

The surface was super uneven, like waves on a stormy sea, going up and down with these deep cracks. The ice field was almost a mile wide, and it took me close to two hours to cross it. The mountain across from me was just bare rock.

From where I was standing, Montanvert was right across, about a mile away, and above it loomed Mont Blanc - seriously majestic. I hung out in a little nook in the rock, just staring at this insane, huge scene. The ice, like a giant river, snaked through the mountains around it.

Their peaks, icy and bright, shimmered above the clouds. My heart, which had been bummed out, suddenly felt...good. I blurted out, "Spirits, if you’re really out there, wandering around instead of resting, let me have this little bit of happiness, or just take me with you, away from everything."

As I said this, I suddenly saw a guy - way off, but coming towards me, like, super fast. He was leaping over the cracks in the ice, the ones I'd been walking carefully around. And as he got closer, he looked bigger than any normal person.

I felt weird; a fog rolled over my eyes, and I felt faint, but the cold mountain wind snapped me back. Then, as he got closer (and it was a seriously messed-up sight!), I realized it was the creature I’d made. I was shaking with rage and fear, deciding to wait for him and then fight him to the death.

He came closer. His face showed deep sadness, mixed with a look of disgust and evil. It was so ugly, almost too horrible to look at. But I barely noticed; I was so full of rage and hate, I couldnn't even speak.

Finally, I found my voice and just unloaded on him with words of furious disgust and contempt. Seriously? I yelled. You’re coming near me? Don’t you fear my arm’s revenge on your pathetic head? Get lost, gross bug! Or wait, I’ll crush you to dust!

And, oh, if I could just erase you and bring back the people you’d so devilishly murdered!" "I expected this," the dæmon said. "Everyone hates the miserable. How much more must I be hated, being more miserable than anyone alive!

But you, my creator, despise and reject me, your creation, to whom you're tied by bonds that can only be broken by destroying one of us. You plan to kill me. How dare you mess with life like that? Do your duty to me, and I’ll do mine to you and the rest of humanity.

"If you agree to my conditions, I'll leave you and everyone else in peace, but if you refuse, I'll feed death’s hunger until it’s overflowing with the blood of your remaining friends."

"You’re a monster! Seriously, a fiend! Hell's punishments wouldn’t even be harsh enough for what you’ve done. You, devil! You’re blaming me? Fine, come on then, I’ll put an end to the spark I gave you so carelessly."

"My anger was insane; I lunged at him, driven by every feeling that can make one person hate another's existence. He easily dodged me and said, "Chill out! Please, just listen to me before you unleash your hate on me. Haven't I suffered enough that you want to make it worse?

Life, even if it’s just a bunch of pain, means something to me, and I’ll fight for it. Remember, you made me stronger than you; I’m taller, more flexible. But I won't try to go against you.

I’m your creation, and I’ll be easygoing and obedient to my natural lord and king if you do your part, which you owe me. Oh, Frankenstein, don’t be fair to everyone else and crush me alone, the person who deserves your justice, kindness, and even your love.

"Remember that I'm your creation; I should be your Adam, but I'm more like a fallen angel, and you're kicking me out of happiness for nothing. Everywhere I look, I see joy, and I’m completely shut out. I was good, I was kind; misery turned me into a monster. Make me happy, and I’ll be good again."

"Get lost! I’m not hearing you. There’s no way we can be friends; we’re enemies. Go away, or let’s settle this with a fight, and someone’s gonna lose."

"How can I get you to care? Will begging even make you look kindly on your creation, who's asking for your kindness and pity? Seriously, Frankenstein, I was good-hearted; my soul was full of love and humanity. But am I not totally alone, miserably alone? You, my creator, can't stand me."

What hope do I have from your friends, who owe me nothing? They reject me and hate me. The desert mountains and icy glaciers are my only safe places. I've been wandering here for days; the caves of ice, which I'm not even afraid of, are my home, the only one people don’t begrudge me.

These cold skies are kinder to me than your friends. If everyone knew I existed, they'd do what you're doing, and arm themselves to destroy me. Should I not hate them for hating me? I won’t make deals with my enemies. I'm miserable, and they’ll share my misery.

But you have the power to make things right and save them from a disaster you're about to make huge - a disaster that could swallow you and your family, and thousands of others, in a whirlwind of rage. Let your compassion move you, and don't look down on me.

Listen to my story; after you've heard it, abandon me or feel sorry for me, as you see fit. But hear me out. Even people who've messed up get to defend themselves before they're punished, even under human laws, as brutal as they are. Listen to me, Frankenstein.

"You’re accusing me of murder, but you’d destroy your own creation with a clear conscience. Oh, how great is the justice of humans! But I’m not asking you to save me; just listen, and then, if you can, and if you want to, destroy what you made."

"Why are you bringing up stuff I seriously cringe about," I shot back, "things I wish I could just forget I ever did? Seriously, I curse the day, the absolute worst devil, you even showed up! I curse - okay, I curse myself too - for making you! You've made me feel totally wrecked."

You’re not letting me even think about if I was fair to you or not. Just go! Get out of my sight, you're so not appealing. "I’m letting you go, my creator," he said, and put his hands up in front of my eyes, which I pushed away hard. "I’m taking away the sight you hate.

But you can still hear me, and maybe show me some compassion. By the good qualities I used to have, I’m asking for it. Listen to my story. It’s long and weird, and the vibe here isn’t exactly chill for your fancy feelings. Come to the hut on the mountain.

"The sun's still up; before it dips behind those snowy cliffs and lights up another world, you’ll hear my story and can decide. It's up to you - do I just peace out and live quietly, or do I become a total menace to everyone and bring about your downfall?"

"As he said this," he led the way across the ice. I followed. My heart was totally full, and I didn’t answer. But as I walked, I thought about everything he's said and decided to at least hear him out. I was partly curious, and feeling sorry for him sealed the deal.

I’d always thought he was the one who killed my brother, and I really wanted to know if it was true. For the first time, I also got what it meant to be a creator and what I owed to my creation - making him happy before I called him bad. Those things pushed me to go along with what he wanted.

We crossed the ice and climbed up the rocks on the other side. The air was freezing, and the rain started up again. We went into the hut. The fiend was stoked, but I was feeling down and had a heavy heart. Still, I agreed to listen.

I sat by the fire that my creepy companion had lit, and he started his story.