The creature led her to a small row boat on the shore. Once he got in she shyly got in and sat across from him. He started rowing, going much faster than a human. The girl seemed shocked and made him stop immediately.
"What's wrong?" he asked, trying not to be annoyed.
"Can we switch spots?" she asked sweetly, not looking up at his face. Creature looked at her oddly, but willingly maneuvered with her so she sat at the head of the small boat. He started rowing again and she got on her knees, facing away. He nearly stopped thinking she was going to jump out, but then she let out a squeal of excitement and he leaned to the side a bit to see her grinning and laughing. She was enjoying this; it was a thrill to her, to be going so fast.
He kept rowing like that, her happiness somewhat contagious. He felt much better than he had in years, his misery starting to evaporate some. He probably could've kept going like that for awhile but then he spied someone on the shore that was still in the distance. He immediately recognized the man as Dr. Frankenstein's friend and traveling companion. He rowed towards the shore silently. The girl looking confused, but just sat back down. Once he landed on the shore he got out and charged towards Henry, gripping his throat the moment he turned towards the sound of the creature's footsteps. The girl gasped and got out of the boat, running towards him.
"No stop let go of him!" she yelled, grabbing his arm, trying to pull it away while Henry feebly pulled at the hand chocking him.
"He is precious to Frankenstein. I have sworn to destroy all his loved ones," he explained while Henry blacked out.
"Frankenstein has hurt you, this man has not. Do not harm someone who has not harmed you," she pleaded, tears starting to fall freely from her eyes. The creature looked at her shocked by the tears forming their ways down her cheeks. He released Henry who had already become devoid of life, but he knelt down and put his hand to his chest.
"His heart is still beating," the creature lied, but the girl smiled and wiped her tears away.
"Please never do that again," she pleaded, the creature just nodded and led her back to the row boat before she could tell Henry was really dead.
"Wait shouldn't we help him?" she asked while he gently pushed her along.
"No, we will be thrown in jail. A few fisherman are still out let them find him, he will be alright," he said. The girl frowned, but still being unable to meet his eyes for more than a few seconds, willingly sat back down in the boat. He started rowing again, but this time slower and steadier. After a few minutes of silently looking down, he looked back at her.
"What is your name?" he asked politely.
"Christie," she answered quietly, looking down at her hands, but then looked up to meet his eyes. "What is yours?" she asked.
"I don't have a name," he answered quickly, examining her face with its fair skin and the slightly appearance of freckles on her cheeks, making her look younger then she probably was, which he estimated she had to be at least 15 or 16. Which he only estimated that high because of the fact that she looked to be one that had been working for a couple years, and had experienced a fair share of hardships unknown to younger children.
"You don't have a name? Did your parents not name you?" she asked confused. Creature thought to his first days of life and his creator's scorn.
"I was abandoned at a very early age," he said. He didn't like lying to her, but he couldn't explain his odd 'birth' until he was sure she would accept him for the monster he was.
"Well that's not right, how about I name you?" she questioned, the look of surprise he gave seeming to shock her. "I'm sorry for suggesting it" she said, looking away.
"No it is fine, I would like it if you gave me a name," he said quickly, wanting to reach over and pat her hand, but kept his hands on the oars, scared that he would upset her. She smiled and looked up, thinking.
"Rampel?" she questioned, taking a while for him to notice that was the name she had chosen.
"I like it, does it have a special meaning?" he asked, just a little afraid that she had chosen some horrible name for him.
"Yes, Rampel is the angel of endurance, he holds domain over mountains," she looked down shyly; "you make me think of a mountain," she whispered just loud enough to hear and giggled. Creature couldn't help but smile, he liked the name, and Christie had named him after an angel, the kindest and most beautiful creatures known to man.
"Does your name mean anything?" he decided to ask.
"It means follower of Christ, but it's a boy's name," she answered, looking away embarrassed.
"I wouldn't have known it wasn't a girl's name if you didn't tell me, it's very beautiful," he said, her cheeks turning red. "Are you okay? Your cheeks turned red," he said, examining her carefully.
"It's called a blush, don't worry it's usually a good thing," she explained, just barely touching his knee before pulling her hand away. After this they were both silent until Christie yawned, and tucked her cloak around her. Rampel noticed this but said nothing, not knowing how to help her. Soon though she moved to sit on the floor of the boat and moved close to him, wrapping arms around one of his legs. He didn't move, but looked down shocked.
"Wh-What are you doing?" he stuttered.
"It's cold, I'm trying to stay close, you know, share body heat," she explained. He stopped rowing and pulled her up to sit beside him, putting one arm around her to reach the oar. Her cheeks flushed an even darker shade of red, but after a few minutes he felt her body relax while she leaned against him. He felt the corners of his mouth tug up in a smile and looked down at her to see she was sleeping peacefully, and then rowed on in silence. His mind wandered to thoughts of being able to keep her as a constant companion, with whom he could share his life and tell her of his miseries, while she would accept him and look upon him with affection, despite his past. All he needed to do now was keep her near, until she could see the soul and mind beneath the monstrous body.