Victor,

You have not answered my letters. I blame my son’s abandonment of his family and his duties on you. Your father tells me you have gone on to England to convince Henry to return. As it is your fault he was driven away from his responsibilities, the burden of restoring him to us is yours. Do not think any past friendship will compel me to discharge the debts of your father. I will wring blood from the stone of Frankenstein Manor if I must.

Find Henry and send him home, and perhaps I will find some forgiveness.

Fredric Clerval

Victor,

I have seen your most recent letter. You are a liar and a fiend. I have hired a detective to find both you and my son. If my son has been ruined through association with you, I will take everything your family has ever owned and find a way to make you pay for the corruption of my son in the courts, as well. You will find that my wrath can reach you even on the moors of Scotland.

Fredric Clerval

I had never known Henry’s father well, but I cringed to think of what news the detective would bring back. It would not end well for poor Henry. If Monsieur Clerval was this harsh to Victor, I doubted he would show any kindness to his son.

Another letter was from Judge Frankenstein. I opened it with trepidation.

My Son,

I do not know what possessed you to leave us in the midst of so much trouble. It was poorly done. Regardless, you should know that Elizabeth has gone. Where, I do not know. She left without warning.

We need her back. I cannot lose her. Not after everything else. Please return home and help me find her.

Your father,

Alphonse Frankenstein

I set down the letter, shocked. I had expected accusations, condemnations. Instead, I found only desperation to have me back. I felt the first pang of guilt toward the man who had allowed me to become part of his family. He had lost so much, and I, ever ungrateful, had not even told him where I was going.

I resolved to make peace with him when I returned. And that would be done with Victor, safe, at my side. It was the kindest thing I could do for Judge Frankenstein.

The second letter was more recent and postmarked from London, which shocked me.

Victor,

Fredric Clerval has taken some notion of revenge in his head. I cannot dissuade him from seeking you out. I fear for what mischief he might create for you on foreign soil, where I have no influence. I have followed him here and will endeavor to find you before he does.

If you see that idiot son of his, tell him to write his damned father a letter.

Alphonse Frankenstein