by Jon Skovron
“You can’t overload him with too many questions at once,” I said. “And besides, I think Ruthven’s probably the one to ask, anyway. So we might as well wait until we get there.”
“You know, I was looking forward to a nice, temperate holiday in LA.”
“New York is awesome at Christmastime.” I went over and sat down next to her on the bed. “Besides, with Robert running around out there somewhere, it’s the safest place you could possibly be. The sooner we get you there, the better I’ll feel.”
“I cannot believe your own brother would want to hurt you,” said Henri.
“Keep up, Frankenstein. He’s not my brother, he’s Sophie’s,” said Claire. Then she turned back to me. “We’d better not be staying in your old tiny bedroom in your parents’ apartment, that’s all I’m saying. We’re adults now with jobs and everything. We should get our own space.” She pulled me down so that her warm body pressed against me. “If we get to be together for the holiday, I plan on making the most of it. If you know what I mean.”
“Cosigned,” I said, and kissed her neck.
She ran her fingers through my hair, then grabbed hard and pulled me in for a kiss.
“Vi,” I heard Henri say. “I think that’s our cue to leave.”
JUST AS I predicted, Ruthven agreed to let Henri come home with me. But he wasn’t allowed to spend the night. Ruthven said it was just too much temptation for the nocturnal predators, so Henri would have to get a hotel room.
I wasn’t sure how William and Elisa were going to take the news that Henri was going to spend his winter break with me. But when he told them over dinner that night, their faces lit up.
“Oh, but this is marvelous!” said Elisa. “Henri, you have always wanted to go to New York!”
“I agree!” said William. “What an opportunity! And your parents don’t mind?”
“No, they’re happy to have him,” I said. That was only a half lie. I was pretty sure that deep down, my dad was happy that a Frankenstein was coming to visit. He’d always wanted to be accepted into the Frankenstein family. But my mom was not happy at all. She’d never been able to forgive humans for what they’d done to her and my dad. I hoped maybe Henri could be the one to get her past that.
“What about you, Claire?” asked Giselle. Months of living here and I’d barely made a dent in Giselle. It had taken Claire all of a day and a half. Giselle followed her around constantly and had even asked her mother if she could get her hair cut shorter. “Are you going home to your family for the holiday?”
“Nah, I’ll tag along with these lads,” Claire said. “My family isn’t real close anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” said Elisa.
“It’s all right. I make my own family, you know? And Boy’s family is great. They made me feel welcome right from the start.”
“How wonderful,” said William. “I’m glad Henri will be in such good hands.”
“Can I go, too?” asked Giselle.
“Not this time, my sweet sister,” said Henri.
“You always leave me behind,” she said.
“Someone must remain behind to keep watch for the mermaid,” said Henri. “You wouldn’t want her to gobble up Mother and Father while we’re out having adventures, would you?”
“No,” said Giselle.
“Really, Henri, you shouldn’t encourage her,” said Elisa. “Giselle, you’re far too young for such a long trip away from us.”
“But if you do see the mermaid,” I said, “you tell her that I said she better mind her manners.”
Elisa sighed. “The two of you! Impossible!”
Henri and I grinned at each other.
“WE COULD JUST stay here, you know,” said Claire.
It was the Sunday before our flight. And even though it was nearly noon, Claire and I were still in bed. Her head rested on my bare chest as she looked up at me with searching eyes.
“It’s quiet here,” she said.
“It’s safer for you in New York,” I said.
“He wouldn’t think to look for me here.”
“Not right away. But he found us in the middle of the Mojave desert.”
“With Vi’s help.”
“Still, you don’t think he could eventually track you down here?”
“You don’t think he could track me to New York?”
“That’s just it. I think he could track you anywhere. If he catches you out here in the middle of nowhere, we’re in trouble. But if he tries anything at The Show, he’s the one who’s in trouble. We protect our own.”
“I guess you’re right.” Her finger traced the line of stitches that circled my shoulder. “It’s just so nice here.”
I smiled. “You’re getting used to the luxury faster than I did. You’re not going soft on me, are you?”
“Watch it, you.”
“Ooo, is that a threat, Your Majesty?”
“Right, that’s it!”
She reached up for me, but then my bedroom door burst open.
“Hey, check this out, I made—my God you’re naked!” Henri covered his eyes.
“Way to ruin the mood,” said Claire, pulling the sheets up over herself.
“Yeah, thanks, cuz,” I said. “I thought we’d talked about you not doing that anymore.”
“Sorry! Sorry!” said Henri. “Should I come back?”
“Just give us a second,” I said.
We both pulled some clothes on, then let Henri back into the room.
“So what was so exciting you just had to bust in here like that?” I asked.
He held up a smartphone. “Vi mobile!”
“You’re kidding!”
“Check it out.” He handed me the phone.
I looked down at the screen and the anime face we’d all more or less accepted as Vi’s looked back at me.
“Hi, Boy!” she said, her eyes closing as she gave me a big smile. “Isn’t this exciting?”
“It’s pretty awesome,” I agreed.
“Obviously, there’s some processing power lost,” said Henri. “But this is so much more portable, and the battery life is amazing. Now she doesn’t have to miss out on anything we do.”
“Just your face, then?” asked Claire, peering over my shoulder.
“Oh, no!” said Vi. “It’s a three-dimensional design, so it has depth. If I walk away . . .” She demonstrated by walking backward so it appeared that she was moving away from the screen. “You can see all of me!” And there she was in all her short-skirt glory. “What a great idea, huh?”
“Henri’s, I’m sure,” said Claire, giving him a look.
“Ah . . .” His cheeks flushed red. “You know. So she can practice body language, as well.”
“Right,” said Claire.
“Do you like it, Vi?” I asked.
“I love it!” She did a little dance on the screen.
“That’s the important thing,” I said.
“Well, I guess we’re all sorted for the trip, then,” said Claire.
“Not quite,” I said. “I still want to figure out if there’s a way I can get through the metal detector this time without setting off every alarm in the airport.”
“Oh, I thought we’d save on airfare,” said Claire. “Take you apart and just check you in pieces. Like luggage.”
“You’re joking,” said Henri. He turned to me. “She is joking, isn’t she?”
“New York, here we come!” said Vi, and she did a little cartwheel on the phone screen.
PART 2
New World
“Our business in this world is not to succeed, but to continue to fail, in good spirits.”
—FROM “REFLECTIONS AND REMARKS ON HUMAN LIFE,”
by Robert Louis Stevenson
6
Home for the H
olidays
RUTHVEN WAS WAITING for us at the airport baggage claim. It was kind of amazing, really, that none of the hundreds of humans that swarmed past him at JFK airport thought, “Whoa, is that guy a vampire?!” Because he absolutely looked like one. Tall and thin, with pale white skin and red eyes. His long overcoat swirled around him like a living shadow. The popular theory among the company was that Ruthven didn’t actually wear clothes, just shadows. But no one had ever got up the nerve to ask him.
Ruthven bowed his head slightly. “Welcome home, Boy.”
“Thanks.” I pulled him in for a hug, which was something only my dad and I were allowed to do.
“Hm, yes,” he said as I released him. He smoothed down his shadowy coat, then turned to Claire on my left. “Always a pleasure, my dear Claire.”
“Likewise,” said Claire. “How’s things on this coast?”
“Fine, thank you. I trust Kemp is taking good care of you.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t stay there if he wasn’t, and he knows it.”
Ruthven smiled briefly. “I’m sure he lives in dread of the day I finally convince you to come work for me.” Then he turned to Henri on my right. I could feel Henri leaning in toward me as Ruthven gazed at him. Humans always seemed to react with an instinctive fear when Ruthven looked at them.
“And this must be the one everyone is talking about. Henri Frankenstein.”
“Yes, monsieur, that’s me.” Henri gave his most charming smile and held out his hand, but Ruthven only glanced at it and didn’t offer his own.
“I should warn you, Henri, that your arrival will not be met with a great deal of enthusiasm from some of our company members. And perhaps a bit . . . too much enthusiasm from other members.”
“Those are the ones to watch out for, mate,” Claire told him.
“Indeed,” said Ruthven. “I have talked at length to all members about the importance of keeping this visit pleasant. But for your own safety, I suggest you remain with either Claire or Boy at all times while you are in the theater.”
“I will do as you suggest,” said Henri. “And I just want to say thank you for allowing me into your home. I know this was not a decision you made easily.”
“I am curious to see how this plays out,” said Ruthven. “Do not mistake that for approval.”
“Understood, monsieur.”
“Now then,” said Ruthven, “shall we be off?” Without waiting for an answer, he turned so that his coat swirled dramatically and walked toward the exit.
“Laying it on a bit thick, isn’t he?” Claire muttered to me.
“I know.” I grinned. “I’ve missed theater people.”
CHARON WAS WAITING for us in the rental car. His brown, leathery skeleton face crinkled up into a smile when we climbed in the backseat.
“Boy, it’s so good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you, too, Charon,” I said.
“I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble in Switzerland.”
“No trouble,” I said.
“Except the mermaid,” said Claire.
“Mermaid?” asked Charon.
“I tried to talk to her and she almost ate me. Reminded me of the really crazy ones they keep locked up at The Commune. Didn’t you used to have a mermaid in The Show for a while? How did you even fit her on the stage? She was massive.”
Charon frowned. “Where did you meet her?”
“Lake Geneva.”
“Oh, you must have met a freshwater mermaid. Completely different species.”
“Don’t tell me. Saltwater mermaids are sweet, adorable ladies with fish tails.”
“More or less.”
Ruthven slid into the front passenger seat. “Take us to the hotel first, if you please, Ferryman.”
“You bet, boss.” Charon started the car up and eased us out into traffic.
“Hey, you’ve gotten a lot better at driving,” I said.
“I’ve been practicing once a week,” he said. “It’s my hobby!”
“Everyone needs one,” said Claire.
“You’re still the box office manager, though, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah. But we recently took in a pair of teenage goblin sisters and they’ve been helping me out. Customers love them. They think it’s part of the experience, like it’s only makeup. And they always get a kick out of it when one of the girls tells them something like, ‘Your eyes look delicious.’ They think she’s joking! Humans. So dumb.” He glanced at Henri. “No offense.”
“None taken,” said Henri. “They would not actually attack a customer, though, would they?”
“Just the one time,” said Charon.
“One time?”
“Well, they’re only monster, right? But Ruthven has a strict ‘Don’t eat where you sleep’ policy. He put the fear into them, and let me tell you, they will never do it again on theater property.”
“What did you do to them, chief?” asked Claire.
“I prefer to keep disciplinary matters private,” Ruthven said.
“So, Ruthven,” I said. “While we’ve got you more or less to ourselves, Claire and I were wondering if you’d heard about Robert Jekyll.”
“That he’s escaped from prison? Yes.”
“And you know he’s got a vendetta against Claire.”
“Which is why you’ve brought her here.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“And rightly so.” He turned to look at Claire, his red eyes glinting like a cat’s. “I can assure you, my dear, if Robert sets one foot in the lobby, he will very much wish he hadn’t.”
“Thanks,” she said.
As we neared the Queens Midtown Tunnel, and I saw Manhattan looming in front of us, I felt a surge of peace wash over me. I hadn’t realized how much I missed the city. It was big, crowded, loud, and dirty. And it would always be home.
We made our way to Times Square, and I stared out the window at all the stores with their holiday decorations. The cabs and people moved like currents through the streets. I remembered my first time out of the theater. It had been so overwhelming at first. But thrilling, too. I had met my first human that day. At a thrift store. I’d been so nervous. . . .
Back then, I could never have imagined actually living with humans, much less being friends with them. Even later, when I’d run away from home, I’d still mostly kept away from humans. I had missed out on so much. Sure, some humans were assholes. But most were pretty amazing, these fragile creatures pretending to be indestructible.
“First stop! Human sanctuary!” said Charon.
Ruthven turned in his seat to look at Henri. “I assume you’ll want to drop off your things and freshen up after your long flight. That will also give Boy time to visit with his family alone.”
“Sure, okay,” said Henri.
“The room is held under your name. The theater is only one block down, on the left.” Ruthven inclined his head in the direction. “You can’t miss it. Charon should be back in the box office by then, so you won’t have to worry about any . . . misunderstandings. He’ll call Boy up to come get you.”
Henri turned to me. “Do you mind if I keep Vi with me?”
He looked like he could use the company right now, and Vi seemed to want to spend every possible moment she could with Henri, so I figured she wouldn’t mind, anyway. “Yeah, that’s fine.” I patted his shoulder. “Welcome to New York.”
He climbed out of the car. Charon had already popped the trunk, so he grabbed his bag, slammed the trunk lid down, and headed toward the hotel entrance. The way he clutched Vi’s phone in his free hand made me wonder if maybe it wasn’t as one sided a relationship as I thought.
THE THEATER HADN’T changed a bit. A big marquee that just said THE SHOW in a swirl of colors that had once been bright but over the years had faded. The sam
e posters still hung out front in their glass cases—silhouettes of mysterious creatures on sun-bleached colored backgrounds. It looked retro, but actually it had all just been there a really long time.
The lobby was still decorated with fabrics and swirls of color that gave it a vague international carnival feeling. It still smelled the same, like humans, sweat, old wood, and some other thing I’d never been able to pinpoint.
The two goblins peering with yellow eyes from the box office window were new, though.
I waved at them. “Hi, ladies.”
They whispered to each other and giggled nervously, then waved back.
“My, aren’t you the local celeb crush,” said Claire.
“Jealous?” I asked.
“You better hope not,” she said. “I’m bloody terrifying when I’m jealous.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
“Curmthulia, dear,” said Ruthven. “Would you call down to Boy’s parents and let them know he’s arrived?”
One of the goblin sisters nodded and picked up the phone.
“Let’s see what kind of mess you’ve made while I was gone,” said Charon as he climbed into the box office.
I smiled as I watched him fuss around inside, the goblin sisters scrambling to straighten everything up.
“That used to be my job, helping out Charon,” I told Claire.
“I’d hate to be crammed in that little box,” she said.
“I grew up inside a theater. I was used to small spaces.”
“Boy!” came a familiar hard voice.
I turned and there stood my mother. She looked as beautiful as ever, her black-and-white-striped hair sticking straight up, her china-doll face still fixed forever in an expression of perpetual vague surprise. She reached out her arms and pulled me in tight for a crushing hug.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Let me look.” She held me out at arm’s length. “You don’t eat enough.”
“I missed you, too, Mom.”
Since her facial expression couldn’t change, it wasn’t easy to know how she was feeling. But I could feel the tension in her hands.