Chapter 24

I decided to leave Geneva forever. Too much had happened there. But, before I left, I visited the graves of William, Elizabeth, and my father. I stood there, looking down at the gravestones. Suddenly, I heard a laugh from the darkness. It was the monster! "I am happy now, Frankenstein," the voice said. "You will be unhappy for the rest of your life. You will be alone-just as I am." Then it laughed again. I ran to the spot where the voice had come from. 

There was no one there. Just then, the moon broke through the clouds. I could see the monster, run ning so fast that no man could catch him. I tried to follow him, but he left me far behind. 

And so began my pursuit, which has consumed many months. Guided by faint clues, I followed the winding path of the Rhone, but to no avail. I caught sight of the fiend entering a vessel bound for the Black Sea by a stroke of luck. I boarded the same ship, but he managed to escape once more.

In the wilds of Tartary and Russia, I continued my pursuit, always one step behind. Sometimes, frightened peasants informed me of his whereabouts; other times, he left signs to guide me. I trudged through snow-covered landscapes, driven by a relentless desire for vengeance. The suffering I endured—cold, hunger, and fatigue—was nothing compared to the eternal torment burning in my heart. Yet, in the midst of my misery, I was sometimes aided by unseen forces. Meals miraculously appeared when I was on the brink of starvation, and clouds offered respite from the scorching sun.

I avoided populated areas, subsisting on wild animals and the provisions I carried. My life was a misery, but in sleep, I found solace. Blessed sleep! In my dreams, I was reunited with my loved ones, and the agony of reality faded away. During the day, the hope of night sustained me, as I longed to see my friends once more.

But my pursuit of the fiend continued, fueled by a divine purpose I could not comprehend. Sometimes, he left mocking messages that stoked my fury. "My reign is not over," one inscription read. "You live, and my power is complete." I vowed vengeance once again, swearing to hunt him down until one of us perished.

Every time I want to give up, I think of William, Justine, Elizabeth, Henry, and my father. Often when I think I've lost him, the monster leaves messages for me. He cuts them into trees or on up his trail again. I grew thin. My only food was the wild animals I could kill. 

As I got farther north, I found one last note from the monster. It said: Get ready! The worst is still ahead of you. Get warm clothes and plenty of food. We are going to a cold, icy place. I will laugh as you suffer. I bought a sled and some dogs to pull it. I bought food. The monster was so far north that he was almost at the ocean. I found a small village. The people had seen the creature. 

They told me of a giant who came to their village. He had guns and knives. He drove away a poor family. He stole their winter food supply, sled, and dogs. He headed north. I went after him. I stopped only to rest and feed my dogs. I would not sleep at peace until I caught him. Sometimes, he was only a day ahead of me. 

Once, I saw him. He was far, far away on the ice. I went after him. Just as I was getting close, the ice broke up. Cold blue water was between me and the monster. Before long, he was gone. I haven't seen him since. I floated on a broken piece of ice for many weeks. 63 All but one of my dogs died. I was close to death myself. Then your ship found me. You probably wondered why I asked you where your ship was going. As I have said, I will never give up my search for the creature. If you had been going back to England, I would not have gone with you. You are headed north-where I am sure the creature has gone. 

That is why I am happy to have come on board. And that is my story. I have lost the monster. I would ask you to help me find him. But it wouldn't be fair. You want to go on to the North Pole. It is the dream of your life. I just ask this: If! die, and you find the monster, show him no mercy. He may talk sweetly. He may tell you how everyone has treated him badly. But he is the king of liars. His words may begin to change your mind. But remember William, Justine, Henry, Elizabeth, and my father. They all died because of him. 

Don't stop to think. Kill him! Only then will my soul rest in peace.