And there was no one to help him. But he was very strong. And he began to get better.

At last he was ready to leave. Ready for Victor Frankenstein! He had no idea where to find me. But that did not matter. For there had been a letter in that jacket of mine. And it told him where my family lived! It was in a town high in the mountains—far away.

When night came, he set out. He stayed away from roads. For there are people on roads. And how he hated them all! Following the stars, he made his way through forests. He crossed wide rivers. He came to the mountains and started to climb. Then, at last, he saw the town.

He was just outside of it, in a wooded park. It was time to rest and think about what he would do next. Just then, he heard someone laughing. He quickly hid behind a tree. From his hiding place he saw a young boy. The boy was coming nearer.

Suddenly he thought, The boy is so young that I can teach him. I will take him away with me. And he will learn to be my friend!

As the child came by, the Monster grabbed him. “Don’t scream, boy!” said the Thing. “I am not the way I look. There is nothing to be afraid of.”

But the child was very scared. “Don’t eat me! Don’t eat me!” he begged.

“I won’t eat you. Hold still! I only want you to be my friend. But now you must come along with me to the forest.”

“You can’t take me!” the boy cried. “My father will punish you. He is Mayor Frankenstein!”

When the Creature heard this, he lifted the boy into the air. “You are a FRANKENSTEIN? Where is my enemy? Where is Victor Frankenstein?”

My poor brother William kicked and screamed and tried to get away. But the Thing put his hands around William’s throat and shook him.