Prometheus stood in front of the headstone dressed in black and feeling like the spirit of Mark Eldrich was judging him. The funeral had been over for a while, but for him, time had stood still since Mrs. Eldrich informed him of her son’s suicide on Monday. Throughout the service, Mark’s parents were like zombies. Too depressed and too broken to show any emotion or shed any tears, but their broken hearts could be seen in their eyes. To make the situation less heavy, a pair of prosthetic hands were put on Mark and covered in gloves. His brushes, paints and pallet were put in his casket with him before he was put in his final resting place. Prometheus could not stop himself from feeling responsible while several “what if” scenarios played out in his head. As he put his hat on, he noticed someone in the distance. 

“William?” Prometheus whispered as he recognized them. 

Upon realizing that he had been seen, William darted away, but Prometheus ran after him. The young man would also soon discover that as well as being very strong, the creature-doctor was unusually fast and not only caught up to him. He cut him off by taking a detour. 

“P-Please! Just let me go! I-I...” William stuttered looking terrified as he now had a black eye. 

“Please, don’t be scared. I just want to talk to you, William.” Prometheus then noticed the young man’s black eye “What happened to your face?” 

“Nothing! And I don’t know nothing!” William desperately lied. 

Prometheus grabbed him by the shoulders “William, I don’t want to persecute you. I want to help you.” 

“You can’t help me...” William looked away. 

“I can try or at the very least, we can go the police and tell them you’re being abused.” Prometheus kindly offered. 

William just shook him off “Just stay out of it, ok?! Please. If you really mean well, stay out of it and don’t come tomorrow. I don’t need your help.” 

“William-” Prometheus insisted, but he was interrupted yet again. 

“Soooo... You DID treat a ‘Will’ with a broken arm! Stinking liar! And as for you, William, Will or whatever the fuck they call you, I’ll break your other arm, both your legs and then your face!!” Mr. Eldrich tried to lunge at him, but Prometheus grabbed him. 

“Mr. Eldrich, don’t!” the doctor said as he held him. 

“I... I-I'm sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen! I tried to convince them to leave your son alone!” William cried as he ran away. 

“Let go of me, you two-faced liar! LET ME AVENGE MY SON!!” Mr. Eldrich commanded while struggling. 

“Mark wouldn’t want you to go down that road. I am sorry I lied, but my duty commands patient confidentiality and that one comes from an abusive home.” Prometheus tried to explain. 

“Well, I can see why they beat that bastard! I hope they kill him!” Mr. Eldrich spitefully wished. 

“You don’t mean that.” Prometheus then smelled something “You’re drunk again and not thinking straight, Mr. Eldrich. You need to go home.” 

“No! I need to avenge my son! LET ME GO!! LET ME GO!!” Mr. Eldrich kicked and screamed as Prometheus carried him all the way back to his house. 

It was not a hard task physically but having to put up with Mr. Eldrich’s barrage of insults and guilt tripping was torture. Luckily, Mrs. Eldrich was gracious towards the doctor and did not even hold anything against him. It was not enough to ease Prometheus’ mix of negative feelings. When he got home, Ghost was waiting for him by his easy chair. Prometheus then picked up the poker from the fireplace and bent it completely out of shape while yelling to relieve himself. He then took a deep breath and bent to poker back into its normal shape before returning it where it belonged. As this went on, the owl looked at him with her eyes as wide as dinner plates, her feathers ruffled, and her neck outstretched slightly. 

“... I should get ready for tomorrow’s appointment at Frankenstein manor.” Prometheus calmly stated. 

The next morning, Prometheus sat in the coach holding his bag on his lap as he tapped his foot nervously. Igor, who sat across from him, noticed this and was told about what happened yesterday. Ghost was in Albert’s care today. 

“Now remember, this is a checkup. Don’t ask or say anything out of line.” Igor whispered. 

Prometheus only replied with a nod just before the coach stopped signaling that they had arrived. This was it. The two doctors stepped out and were instantly taken by surprise by the sight of the Frankenstein property. It was more than a manor. It was an estate with a gate, a garden and a chateau that dwarfed Lord Stein’s. It was very clear that Baron Frankenstein’s miracle practices were keeping his pockets full, but this also only made him look even more shady. Doctors who make this much money and flaunt it this much are usually not the most ethical types. 

Prometheus went up to the gate door which was adorned with actual gold “Hello?” 

“What brings you here?” a man with a large sharp looking nose and even sharper almost inhuman looking eyes with his white hair combed and slicked back greeted them “If you are here to make an appointment, the master-” 

“Uh, no, sir. I’m Dr. Prometheus and this is my assistant Dr. Igor Buckliger. I’m here to follow up with Mr. William Frankenstein for his injury.” Prometheus explained. 

The sharp-nosed man cocked his head for a moment “His appointment was cancelled.” 

“Well, we never received a formal call stating that he had cancelled his appointment, so according to our clinic policy, it stands, sir. Since we’re here, may we please see my patient? Since your master is a doctor himself, I’m sure he would understand.” Prometheus explained. 

The sharp-nosed man cocked his head from side to side and looked from side to side thinking with his eyes never moving “Very well, doctors. You may proceed.” 

He opened the door and led them towards the front door. As they walked on the marble path, they could see several gardeners working outside. Neither he nor Igor could see their faces, but they could sense something strange about them too. Specifically, the way they breathed heavily as they worked. They almost sounded like they were hissing. Inside, the main hall was decorated with marble flooring, red carpeting, textured walls and several expensive decorations like paintings, vases and statues. Like the gate, everything had gold accents. 

“How much money does this guy have?” Igor whispered. 

“The master did very well for himself thanks to his genius.” the sharp-nosed man told Igor in almost scolding tone as he looked down on him. 

“Oh, Falchion, don’t be so hard on him. Everyone thinks the same thing when they come  here. If you ask me, this place is TOO decorated.” a woman in purple wearing glasses stepped forward. 

Prometheus instantly recognized her voice “Hey, you’re Ms. Justine Mortiz. I’m Dr. Prometheus.” 

“Oh... yes! I know your voice. Don’t mind Mr. Falchion... Or most of the staff for that matter. They like to worship the ground the Baron walks on.” Justine rolled her eyes. 

“Nice to meet you, madame. I’m Dr. Igor Buckliger. Dr. Prometheus’ assistant.” Igor tipped his hat off to Justine instantly taking a liking to her. 

“Oh, I didn’t know you were bringing your assistant. Well, it’s fine by me. Let me take you to him.” Justine said as she led the way. 

As they walked, Prometheus noticed that all the maids who worked at the manor were voluptuous and beautiful. They would give the doctors playful smiles while giggling and they all seemed to have blue or green eyes. Even their beauty came across as not normal. The butlers were not any better as they were all muscular stern and aggressive looking men who also had unusual eyes. Prometheus figured that these men doubled up as bodyguard. When Igor looked at one for too long, the butler responded by glaring and baring his teeth for a moment while growling. The man then turned up his nose and walked away. 

“Weirdo...” Igor huffed. 

“Is... Baron Frankenstein home right now?” Prometheus dared to ask. 

“He is, but he’s occupied. He lives by a very strict routine. As soon as he gets up, he exercises, meditates, gets washed up and then goes to work. Right now, he’s probably meditating and that always takes a while.” Justine explained “Not to worry, the Baroness will foot the medical bill on his behalf, doctors.” 

“I see.” Prometheus replied feeling mildly disappointed “If it’s not too bold of me to ask, what is William Frankenstein’s relation to the Baron?” 

Justine rubbed her arm “He’s the Baron’s younger brother.” 

It turned out that William’s room was in the basement in the storage area which was very telling about how he was treated. Justine knocked on the door. 

“I’m fine, Justine. Really.” William’s voice said on the other side. 

“William, the doctors Prometheus and Buckliger are here to see you.” she replied. 

“Doctors? I don’t need any doctors and as for you, Dr. Prometheus, I told you not to come.” William was annoyed and kept his door closed. 

“William, you did not formally cancel our appointment, so it stands. Why don’t you let me come in and see you?” Prometheus asked kindly. 

“No!” William was being obstinate. 

“William!” Justine scolded. 

“Would you feel better if my assistant Igor tended to you instead? Please?” Prometheus bargained. 

There was no answer at first. 

“William, let at least ONE of the doctors see you.” Justine sighed. 

“It will be ok, William. We don’t bite.” Igor chuckled. 

After a long silence, William opened the door revealing “Ok, Dr. Prometheus, you can come in, but no small talk, ok?” 

“Alright.” Prometheus walked in.