Author's note: This story takes place approximately a year or so after Victor completes his construction of his creature. The narration comes from the point of view of Henry Clerval, but like the original novel, I may put in pieces where the narrator is someone else, possibly Victor and/or his creature. This story is a reworking of my previous Frankenstein fanfic, "To Throw a Wrench in it All". In later chapters I may switch the rating to T or MA for adult situations, language, and possible violence.

"Frankenstein" and all characters from the novel belong to Mary Shelley.

Chapter 1

I'm not exactly sure when the girl had first shown up. Victor seemed perfectly at ease to let her remain in our shared apartment, though at some times it would seem rather that he was incapable of dismissing her. She vexed him in some unexplainable manner, but I could not fathom why other than her sole presence and imposition on our resources. Even so, she did not ask for much; just to have a place to sleep and to have a meager share of our evening meal. She agreed to perform the upkeep of the apartment in return. For the rest of the day she was gone, wandering around town in her odd garments, fulfilling some personal project she would not enlighten me of. I knew in my heart that this endeavor of hers was the real reason for Victor's discomfort, for every night at dinner when she returned, he would make the same inquiry.

"Anything?" His voice was always brusque.

The girl would take off her coat and sit down at the place I had set for her. She'd take a couple sips of wine and answer with a sigh, "No. Not yet."

As soon as these words passed her lips my friend would relax and his mood would lighten. The two would not exchange any conversation other than this for the rest of the night. So it fell to me to be doubly engaging and cheerful towards the both of them.

Her name was Tori Aizen and she claimed to have come from America. I suppose this would account for the strange clothes she had first shown up in and her terrible accent. It was all too obvious that French was not her native tongue. It was fortunate for her that both Victor and I could speak English. However, in this one area I have the rare pleasure of confessing my aptitude for foreign languages slightly surpassed that of my friend, something I was thankful for in this instance. I will not lie—I found the girl attractive, and a curiosity to say the least. As I mentioned before Victor did not talk with her often, and when he did it was away from my ears and usually ended with him slamming the door on her or making some abrupt exit. It was up to me to entertain our mysterious guest, and I was delighted to do so.

Approximately a week after her arrival, classes at the university had started again. Victor had long switched his focus on the natural sciences to join in on my own studies. I was overjoyed at having my life-long friend and brother accompany me in my learning, but I could not help but notice he was still not well even a year after his recovery. His physical health had returned to him, but it was not hard to see he had been using these classes as a distraction from whatever nightmares plagued him. He would not even go near the medical campus and was still startled whenever his eyes fell upon any sort of laboratory equipment. I never questioned my friend about the nature or source of his anxieties for fear that it would only cause more unrest in his mind, but looking back now I wonder if confronting him would have been for the better.

Another couple weeks passed in this manner. It was on a Saturday afternoon that Miss Tori returned to our apartment early. Classes were dismissed on weekends so Victor and I had taken advantage of the reprieve to practice some of our foreign linguistics. She walked in the door and removed her coat like always. She smoothed the front of her olive-green dress before sitting down on the couch in front of our humble fire. She began taking the pins out of her short brown hair and laying them across her lap.

"You are back early today, Miss Aizen. Is everything well?" I asked, curious, as always, to why her routine was different.

She smiled. "I'm fine, Henry. I was just feeling a little tired and figured I'd get out of the cold."

"It is nearly the start of summer. Your home must be very warm."

"You could say that." She turned back to the fire and continued taking her hairpins down. When she was finished, her short locks curled festively around her face, as if they were ribbons, loosed to follow their own unsystematic orientations. The style was almost boyish in length and cut.

I went back to studying with Victor, who had remained silent for the entire exchange. We were just about to start on a chapter pertaining to the usage of present and past participles in the Arabic language when there was a loud knock at the door. A sudden look of fear flashed across my friend's face. His eyes darted from the door to the girl who also seemed mildly anxious. I got up and answered the call but not before the caller could issue another frantic rapping. I opened the door and found a wearied messenger on our apartment threshold. His breathing was shallow and quick as if he had been running.

"Urgent message for Mssrs Frankenstein and Clerval." He pulled a sealed envelope from his jacket and handed it to me. He straightened up and held an expectant hand. I absentmindedly dropped a couple coins from my pocket into his hand. With a quick bow he left and I closed the door.

"What is it?" The question had come from both my companions in the room. They exchanged a brief glance and then turned their attention back to me.

"It's from your father, Victor." I handed him the envelope.

He hastily broke the seal and pulled the encased letter out. Miss Tori had gotten up from her seat to stand by us. Her arm alighted on mine. I glanced quickly at her and it seemed as if she were holding her breath.

Victor continued scanning the letter until his eyes floated off the page and focused on nothing at all. "She's gone."

Miss Aizen was quicker in her speech than I. "Wait, what? Who's gone? Is your little brother all right?"

Frankenstein appeared not to have heard her questions. I gingerly took the paper from his hand and began to read it in a quiet voice.

Beloved Son and Friend Clerval,

I regret that this correspondence should find you when you both should be enjoying your time at University in the depths of higher learning. Especially after you, Victor, having just recovered from a harrowing illness. I am thankful that good Henry was there for you in your time of need. Just as I am thankful once more for his presence in your life, as I would never want to tell you what I must now whilst you are on your own.

A terrible tragedy has befallen our family, in that your beloved cousin and my dearest adopted daughter has gone missing. The authorities have looked all over town and have been investigating her disappearance, but there is no sign of our dearest Elizabeth. There was no break in and no sign of any struggle within her chambers. It is as if she simply vanished. All of her wardrobe and belongings are untouched and she has left no note or indication that she would leave or was running away.

Please come home as soon as possible. Your absence has made our home feel lacking in the last years, but now, with the disappearance of your cousin, it is unbearable. I await your and friend Clerval's return and hope that your journey will find you safely back home in the arms and presence of those who love you.

Love,

Your Ever-adoring Father

I looked over to Victor. He sat in front of the hearth, his elbows resting on his knees and his head held in his hands. My eyes moved downward and I realized that the girl was still grasping my arm, though to my relief she had continued breathing. She appeared confused and concerned, but also, if I was not mistaken, mildly relieved.

She noticed where my gaze was directed and promptly removed her grip. Surprisingly, she went over to Victor and put a hand on his shoulder in comfort.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's okay."

I followed her and sat beside my friend. "We will find her, Victor."

He stifled a sob into his hands. "My poor sweet Lizzie…please be all right my love."

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I hope to be updating at least every other week or so, maybe more depending when the inspiration bug bites.

Review! Tell me what you think!
And thanks again for reading!

-Rean