Chapter 1: Up In Arms 

Three years later, long after the plague has passed in the city of Berlin... 

The monster now finely dressed, and his hair grown out into a near long braid and a much sleeker beard towers over a seated man with his arms crossed “Tell me truth, Mr. Eldrich. Have you been following my instructions?” 

“I-I have... as best as I can, but you know hard it is at my age, and-” he fidgeted nervously. 

“He’s been exercising, but falls short of following his diet, Dr. Prometheus.”  Mark stepped in. 

“I can’t help it! Your mother and I do run a bakery after all!” Mr. Eldrich rolled his eyes huffing “And besides, even I can’t resist my beloved’s gooseberry tarts. No one in this town can. Not even YOU, doctor. You ordered one this morning.” 

Dr. Prometheus chuckled and patted Mr. Eldrich’s shoulder “Yes, but I have one with my tea plain. Mr. Eldrich, you need to commit to the program if not for yourself, do it for your family. Your son's piece is almost ready for the gala this Saturday and you want to live to see him become a great artist, don’t you?” 

“Low blow, doctor.” Mr. Eldrich grumbled with guilt in his tone. 

“Dad, Dr. Prometheus is only telling it like it is.” Mark encouraged. 

The older man hummed “Alright, alright. I’ll eat my hat before I eat those fava beans!”  

Prometheus smiled “I’ll see you in six months, Mr. Eldrich. And I’ll be sure to see your painting this Saturday, Mark.” 

“Thank you! Goodbye, Dr. Prometheus.” Mark said as his father took his coat and they left together. 

“What I’d give to undergo that wonder body modification treatment that’s all the rage now...” Mr. Eldrich sighed as he walked through the door. 

“That treatment’s a sham like all those other so called miracle treatments and medicines, dad.” Mark dismissed the comment while putting his arm, displaying his birthmark on the back of his hand, over his father’s shoulders. 

Prometheus caught wind of the comments and scratched his bead while returning to his office where Ghost, now wearing a collar of some kind, sat on her perch preening. He put away Mr. Edlerich’s file neatly before taking out the file of his next patient Lord Fritz. 

“Body modification... I supposed it is right up there with wonder creams that makes wrinkles disappear, Ghost.” he chuckled as she replied with a hoot and read over the file. 

They were interrupted by the sound of a child wailing loudly causing the owl to puff up with a hop and Prometheus to nearly drop his file. Soon after, a hunchbacked man with curly red hair ran into the room frantically looking through the box of spare lollipops. 

Prometheus snickered a bit “Sounds like little Celine did not handle her vaccine well this time either, Igor.” 

“She did not and if I don’t comfort her fast, she is going to scare off every single other child in the waiting room, Prom. Oh, thank the Lord, there IS one!” Igor sighed in relief as he took out a heart shaped red lollipop adored with a pink ribbon. 

He rushed out of the office and back to where Celine was crying dramatically. In three seconds, the crying stopped. This made Prometheus chuckle a bit before turning back to his patient file. After giving Lord Fritz his checkup, he could assist Igor in giving vaccines to the children. He was once again interrupted by Agatha knocking at his door. 

“Is Lord Fritz here already, Agatha?” Prometheus commented. 

“Actually, he’s not coming in at all. His daughter Miranda just came by here to let us know that he has decided to switch doctors, Prometheus.” she informed him with discontent in her voice. 

“Oh. Why? He wasn’t satisfied with our services?” Prometheus hoped. 

“She says that the new doctor promised him some kind of miracle treatment that would make him arm normal.” Agatha sighed “In other words, he’s decided to go with a con artist instead of a good honest man like you.” 

“Now, now, Agatha. Let’s not judge. It can’t be easy living with a deformed arm that requires one to wear a brace all the time. If it does help Lord Fritz, we should be happy for him.” Prometheus encouraged her. 

“Well, Miranda thinks he’s being conned too.” Agatha crossed her arms. 

“Anyway, we still have patients here who need us.” Prometheus put Lord Fritz's file back and pushed his glasses up his nose before leaving his office and going to the pediatric wing of the small clinic. 

“And THAT is why Lord Fritz is a fool for switching.” Agatha said to Ghost who agreed with a nod and hoot. 

In the room where Igor was working, he had just given a vaccine to another girl though she handled it very casually and did not seem to pay much mind to him even putting a bandage on her arm. She did notice the giant doctor with multi-shaded skin and stitch-scars. 

“Momma, momma, look! That man is a doll!” she exclaimed, causing her mother to shush her in embarrassment. 

“It’s alright. To be honest, it’s flattering.” Prometheus smiled meaning it as he recalled how people used to be frightened by the sight of him three years ago. 

After vaccinating five more children, a commotion was heard in the halls. 

“I’m fine! Really!” the voice of a young man insisted. 

“Stop being stupid! Prometheus! Prometheus!” Agatha’s voice called out and she entered the room “Prometheus, you need to help this boy now. His arm is broken. I saw him in the alley during my break crying and limping.” 

“I'm fine.” the boy who stood at the doorway argued as he winced while holding his arm up in an odd pose. 

Prometheus noticed this as well as how every time he moved his arm even a little, he would wince. 

“Look, I have to get back to work-” the young man insisted, but Prometheus stopped him. 

“Please, may I look at your arm first?” he stepped out and blocked him. 

The young man hesitated. 

“Please. Let me help you.” Prometheus offered and the boy relented. 

As they walked to Prometheus’ usual room, he took note of how the young man’s right arm was swollen. Once inside, he had the boy sit down. 

“I’m Dr. Prometheus. You’ve met my secretary and friend Ms. Agatha DeLacey.” he introduced himself. 

“... William.” the young man only let out still looking visibly uneasy. 

“It’s nice to meet you, William. Now, can you please remove your jacket and shirt, so I may see your arm?” Prometheus asked. 

William relented looking ashamed as he took off his jacket using only one hand and then lifted his sleeve wincing and grinding his teeth to reveal his injured arm. It was clearly broken as the arm had these unusual dips in it as well as severe bruising around the dips which almost looked like a hand.  The swelling and colour indicated that he had this injury for a while. Prometheus noted that there were several other bruises and scars that were made either from blows or whips all over the young man’s arm. 

“Agatha, could you please tell Igor I have a patient right now?” Prometheus requested and she complied nodding while looking visibly disturbed. William looked mortified as he tried to cover his face under his hat. Upon closer inspection, one could see his face had scars too “And you, William, should take a moment to thank Agatha for bringing you here because your arm is most definitely broken and has been for a while. Not to worry. It should heal in a couple of weeks with rest after I properly treat it.” 

William looked away still ashamed and clearly frightened over something as Prometheus bandaged his arm and put a sling on him. 

“Pardon me, but you should have come here right away and get help if you’re being-” Prometheus advised, but what cut off. 

“It was an accident!” William lied sharply. 

Prometheus nodded and continued to bandage his arm “Alright, but the next time you do have an accident, get help. There’s no shame in asking for help because everyone deserves help. Alright?” 

William finally looked at him stunned for a moment “A-Alright...” 

Prometheus finished up “There. Does it still hurt?” 

“No. It’s fine. Thank you.” the young man stated as he allowed Prometheus to put his jacket on his shoulders “... You know... you remind me of an old friend. In fact... he told me the same thing once.” 

“Your friend must really care about you.” Prometheus smiled. 

“He... did.” William hung his head “... I need to go.” 

“Goodbye, William. And remember, get help if you need it.” Prometheus kindly encouraged him. 

Once out the door, Prometheus’ smile faded, and he shook his head before returning to the pediatric wing just in the nick of time. A little boy was obstinately refusing to be vaccinated as he sat down curled up and holding his arms tightly, despite Igor’s attempts to bribe him with a lollipop and his mother’s scoldings. However, just the mere sight of Prometheus seemed to ease him as he looked at him in awe. He smiled as he got down to the boy’s level to diffuse the situation.