Chapter 17

"The creature finished talking and looked at me, waiting for a response. But I was confused and couldn't quite grasp what he was asking. He went on, saying I had to make him a female companion so he wouldn't be lonely. He insisted that only I could do it, and he demanded it as his right.

His story had stirred up anger in me again, remembering how peaceful his life had seemed before. And when he made this demand, I couldn't hold back my rage any longer.

"I refuse," I said firmly. "No amount of torture will make me agree. You might make me miserable, but I won't degrade myself. Why should I create another monster like you, who could cause even more harm to the world? Leave! I've given you my answer. You can torture me, but I won't give in."

"You're wrong," he replied. "Instead of threats, let's talk. I'm cruel because I'm unhappy. Doesn't everyone avoid and hate me? You, my creator, would gladly destroy me and feel victorious. Why should I pity humans more than they pity me? You wouldn't call it murder if you threw me into an icy pit and destroyed the body you made. Should I respect humans when they condemn me? If they showed me kindness instead of hatred, I would repay them with gratitude. But that's not possible; humans can never accept us. But I won't be a slave. I'll get revenge for what you've done to me. If I can't inspire love, I'll make them fear me, especially you, my arch-enemy, my creator. I swear I'll never stop until I've broken your heart, making you regret the day you were born."

He spoke with a fierce rage, his face contorted in a way too terrible to describe. But then he calmed down and continued.

"I wanted to reason with you. This anger isn't helping me. You don't realize you're the reason I'm like this. If someone showed me kindness, I'd return it a hundredfold. But now I dream of happiness that can never come true. What I ask for is simple and fair: a companion like me, ugly but like-minded. It's a small request, but it's all I want. Yes, we'll be outcasts, but we'll be closer to each other because of it. Our lives won't be happy, but at least they'll be peaceful, without the misery I feel now. Please, creator, make me happy. Let me feel loved by someone. Don't deny me this."

I felt torn. I shuddered at the thought of what might happen if I agreed, but I also saw some truth in his words. His story and his current feelings showed that he could appreciate kindness. Didn't I owe him some measure of happiness as his creator? He saw my hesitation and went on.

"If you agree, we'll disappear forever from human sight. I'll go to South America's wilds. I don't need human food; I can survive on berries and nuts. My companion will be like me and content with the same. We'll live in peace under the sun like humans. It's a peaceful picture, and you know it's not cruel to grant it. You might see compassion in your eyes now; let me convince you to grant my wish."

I was moved by his words. But then I thought about the possible consequences of saying yes. Yet, I felt that I owed him some happiness. I saw his change in attitude and said,

"I agree to your request, on the condition that you leave Europe and any other place near humans forever once I give you a female companion."

"I swear," he cried, "by the sun, the sky, and the love in my heart, that as long as you keep your promise, you'll never see me again. Now go and start your work. I'll be watching, eager for the day we can be together."

With that, he left in a hurry, maybe afraid I'd change my mind. He descended the mountain quickly and vanished among the ice.

His story had taken all day, and the sun was setting when he left. I knew I should hurry down to the valley before it got dark, but I felt heavy-hearted and walked slowly. The mountain paths were tricky to navigate, and I was distracted by everything that had happened that day. It was late when I reached a resting spot halfway down and sat by a fountain. The stars twinkled as clouds passed, and the dark trees around me made for a solemn scene that filled me with strange thoughts. I cried and felt overwhelmed, wishing for the stars, clouds, and winds to take away my pain.

Those thoughts were dark, but I couldn't escape the constant flickering of the stars and the sound of the wind, as if they were mocking me.

Morning came as I reached Chamounix village. I didn't stop, but hurried back to Geneva. I couldn't express my feelings, weighed down as I was by them. I felt like an outcast, unable to connect with anyone. But despite that, I loved my family deeply, and I vowed to dedicate myself to my dreadful task to save them. The idea of that task was the only thing that felt real to me."