This post in our “Student Showcase” series highlights Theo’s wonderful nine chapter story inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein‘. We worked on this over a period of about three months, and Theo had the idea of writing alternative chapters from the points of view of different characters, just as Mary Shelley presents both the viewpoints of Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant scientist, and his creation, whom he calls ‘The Monster’.
Jake and It
Chapter 1
I sat next to the tree and ate these things called “ham”as the humans called it. As the food filled my empty stomach I sat down on the lustrous and wet grass : it also filled my sanity. Full and relaxed I spotted something out of the ordinary : there was a distant light coming from the other side of the woods, hopeful and happy. What could it be? Could it be some sort of shelter? I dreamt of the wonderful and warm house that kept the inside dry.
I wandered closer and closer as the aroma of food poured into my nose, which delighted me in the thought of nourishments. I trudged through the freezing mud as I traveled to my next temporary home. Relief flooded me as I thought of this building so much that I could nearly feel the warmth from the house. The majestic structure that I dreamt of stood in front me, light beaming through the tiny, fragile window and the smoggy smoke escaped through from the chimney.
After all the walking my legs seemed to give way and crumble. My relaxation was overcome by my fatigue as my eyelids started to cover my eyes. Slowly I began to sit, still staring at the heavenly place . I laid the rag that slid under me on the uneven floor and draped a blanket that I have permanently “borrowed” from a family over me. The excitement of trying out the new home ran through my body as I started to fall asleep, waiting for the next day to arrive.
Chapter 2: Jake
Swoosh!
Something dashed past my garden . Terror seeped into my veins as I hastily twisted to the direction from which the racket came. I froze. What was that noise? I shuddered from the thought of what it might be.Looking out the window, I slowly and steadily got to the shelf and put the book back, still trying to stop staring at the window;I proceeded closer to it, studying what was outside of the glass. There were two luminescent eyes peering back at me but they quickly disappeared. It must have been a fox.
It was close to midnight already so I began to go upstairs to brush my teeth. The door in my backyard creaked slowly. Spooked by the sound I speedily sprinted back downstairs. I trod outside in the garden to chase whatever the creature was back into the wilderness. Adrenaline flooded my blood as terror took over my body, fighting through my anatomy like a battlefield. Droplets of water flowed down my face. Realising it was sweat, I trembled as my knees knocked each other .
My organ of vision was not enhanced enough, or made, to see through the pitchblack night. I could not see or hear anything in this atmosphere, only smell the wretched odour of fox faeces in my garden. I squinted and glimpsed a dark shade of green. Something was there, hiding. What is this thing and how do I get rid of it? I was chilled to the core, not knowing what to do : I swiftly went back indoors and slammed the door, closing and locking all the windows.
Chapter 3
The human accelerated towards the door and sealed it ; it then looked at me with a petrified face through the windows. It then disappeared from my line of sight. I went over and observed this crack that kept on appearing in doors which opens the door if you insert a piece of metal inside with special markings and edges. It seemed like most humans carried one around with them which meant most doors have the holes. I might have to find the one that matches this hole which is going to be hard in the day because the humans might see me picking their tiny, frail pockets.
I then circled around the little shelter it inhabited. The firgid wind danced past me as it violently brushed past. Am I that horrible to look at? Why does everyone avoid me? The sombre gust seemed to surround my mind, covering it with evil intentions and horrible thoughts. Hatred lingered in my tiny tortured heart as it controlled me like a dolls : its strings reached to the depths of my soul.
I took a branch from the ground and started to demolish the wooden door , hearing the hideous noise of the wrecked door creaking. Crack! Bash! Smash! Eventually the door gave way and fell to its demise, with splinters everywhere on the ground.
I tiptoed across, avoiding the splinters, to find myself looking at the most grand building I have set my eyes on ; I felt sorry for destroying something that was part of a masterpiece. Guilt drifted across my blank brain as I moved closer and closer to the staircase ; it felt like it went on forever as I proceeded upwards.
In the first room upstairs there was a peculiar bookshelf with books : Jane Eyre, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Wuthering Heights, Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Then there was a map of the local area, which I stole from the human because it might be useful later. The next chamber had a bathtub, toilet and a sink which meant it must be the bathroom ; there was a calming aroma of lavender drifting out. The last room was dark but there was a tiny torch light beaming to the door.
My heart thumped heavily while regret lingered all over my head as I steadily approached the miniscule glow. There was a creak that came out from the corner of the room.I gaped at the source of radiance. The being clung to it for its dear life as the radiance slowly extinguished.
Chapter 4:Jake
It growled as it walked past , using its hands to sweep under the bed, checking if I were under there. It shook its head and went in my direction : my body was terrified so much that it froze in animation like a puppet without its puppeteer. The floorboards groaned as it crushed them with its heavy weight. It smelled of rotten eggs and cheesy feet as its deadly aroma seeped into my nostrils. My mind was racing as I panicked, planning as it got closer.
I shuffled towards the door as it got closer and closer. My instincts led me in close proximity to the door : I trembled in the thought of the monster as its shadow towered over me.
Above the bed was an enormous face with two glistening eyes, if eyes they may be called. Its abundance of hair waved around its turquoise skin ; stitches ran across its forehead. Its eyelids fluttered their wings that shaded the dull spheres beneath them. Its broken finger nails raked across the mattress as it dragged its ancient, beast-like claw. Its horrible rows of teeth clattered against each other as they made inarticulate sounds.
I was mortified as dread replaced my emotions.My anatomy dragged me across the rooms while forcing my flimsy, trembling limbs down the forever stretching staircase. I galloped down the sitting room: I raced around packing some food, water and some money as time was against me. I unlocked the door and bolted into the streets that were covered by the midnight sky.
Chapter 5:Jake
The lights on the Sainsbury’s local sign flickered due to its uncared state. I entered the shop as I glared at my surroundings ; checking if it stalked me from my home. I sighed in relief as I sat down : I ate a can of baked beans that I scavenged from the cupboards at home. The bitter breath of the freezer poured out and I rued not taking a blanket with me. I studied the empty stall, while trying to purloin something from it. The shopkeeper stared into the depths of my essence : he gave the message to me to not steal. Why can’t society help people in need ? Returning to my cosy den, my weary brain decided it’s time to shut down.
Go.
Away.
A muffled noise rang into my ears.
Go.
Away.
I opened my weary eyes and got up with my stiff, numb limbs. Fatigue weighed me down as I was forced to drag my broken body away from the warm and cosy corner of the shop. I was now stuck on the frosty streets again.I walked, already knowing what to do next.
26 St Pauls avenue, Kensington. That’s my friend’s address. My anxiety flowed through me faster as I checked my pockets; I couldn’t find cash or a credit card; I checked my aged backpack; nothing still. Then relief flooded me as I found it. Scrolling through the apps I found the apple wallet, my saviour.
Rushing to the train station that was going to Kensington, I was saved when it said the train was departing in 2 minutes. Everything was going to plan. “It’s all going perfectly.” I thought, “Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?”
On the train it felt too normal. Even though it was rush hour the train was nearly empty . Walking towards different carriages, there were three people in the seats, who sat in the exact same place for every carriage. Strangely, they all wore the same clothing : a hood, which covered the face entirely , with a green jacket and a pair of indigo jeans. I traveled across each carriage; I looked at the concealed faces ; shuddering in the thought of what they might be. It felt wrong to break this forever going cycle of people in the same chairs : it felt wrong to belong on this train…
Chapter 6
I sat down on the wooden floor, the cold seeping into my sitting bones. Then I recalled how the humans sat on the sofa, or whatever it might be called. Advancing to the couch, I rested. The soft and warm cushions supported my body, like I was flying in the sky. It felt like glory in an object form or like I was still dreaming in my sleep. I praised it as my new idol, my new god. That must have been the most comfortable experience I have had so far in my time of existence. There must be no other thing more pleasant than this sofa.
I got up from the sofa, already missing the delightful moment. Looking around the room, something caught my eye. A strange black rectangular object stood on its tiny and thin legs; I prodded it with my finger, my fingerprints laid on the smooth surface ; I then looked behind it, there were hundreds of tentacle-like things on the back. I stumbled backwards and fell from the shock but something caught me and broke my fall. It was a furry-like garment that was placed on the wooden planks. Examining the fluffy thing , I wrapped it over my shoulder and walked away from the smooth box.
I went to the couch and on the way there I heard a screaming loud noise. I checked the window to see carts with no horses trotting across the charcoal road ; I saw the light that beamed out of its sides. The carriage was covered with glass panels. “Weird things,” I thought, “How could these things have been invented?”
Chapter 7: Jake
Eventually, I reached his house. Ringing the doorbell I watched as the grand door opened to reveal a small figure. I greeted him and sauntered indoors to his enormous mansion.
Inside bright yellow-tinted lights illuminating the gigantic corridor. In the living room there was a lot of furniture: a “L” shaped sofa sitting in the corner, a tall lamp stood near the television, the television was set hanging above a table from the wall which had a DVD player on it.
In the dining room, it included an open kitchen at the side of the area. The floor was so clean that the light seemed to reflect all the radiance back.
Advancing to my room, I started to unpack my belongings. Am I missing something? I searched through my bag. I have the following items: my phone, a sandwich I “borrowed” from the supermarket, a flashlight just in case, and a change of clothes. I did not seem to have my keys. Did I lose them? Or did I leave them at my house? Were they stolen? I frantically ran through my bag multiple times as I tried to recall my memory of where I had it last. Shuddering, I thought that I had left them at home for the horrid entity which now roamed in it.
Suddenly, a loud bang rang through the hallway from the door.
Chapter 8
Gazing at the massive door,I observed my surroundings: bright lights twinkled around me in the foggy night; carriages with lights zoomed across the pitchblack ground; big flashy signs stood out against the midnight sky, contrasting to the quiet and calm houses that stood on the other side of the street.
I swiveled around the spot looking at how much technology had evolved from the time I was created, staring at the noisy city. People roamed on the road on boards with wheels and bicycles. How can life on this space rock change so much in such a tiny period of time?
I knocked on the wooden door again. Nobody answered. Maybe no one’s home? But there were beams of radiance drifting out of the glass. Wandering towards the back of the building, I noticed a beautiful, lustrous garden that was emphasized by the dull walls. The roses flew and twisted on the fence and the daffodils emerged from the fertile land; tulips burst from the dirt and sunflowers towered above the blooming yard.
Creak! Light escaped from the doorway. A figure advanced towards the back.I bolted across the gorgeous patch of green. The shadow trailed me as I ran. A dead end.I was trapped. I turned around. He flinched in horror as he saw my looks.
It was him.
