William’s room felt more like a prison. There were no windows, it was very cramped and there was only a tiny bed and a desk with a chair. Both looked old. The only source of light was a bulb up above. Underneath the desk, one could see an old chest which probably acted as a dresser. Knowing William was Victor younger brother yet lived under these conditions and was getting physically abused spoke volumes about their relationship. However, he could not talk about that especially after how their last meeting went yesterday. William was clearly afraid and he did not want him to get into more trouble. 

“How has your arm been, William?” Prometheus asked kindly. 

“Fine.” William muttered as he allowed Prometheus to see it. 

“I think we can remove the cast now. Would you like me to look at your eye after?” Prometheus offered. 

“No. The... The Baron takes care of me.” William explained. 

Prometheus made no comment, but his expression gave away how he felt about William's comment. 

“I know what you’re thinking, but really, he does take care of me. He has been taking care of me since... Never mind. It’s not like it matters to you. Dr. Prometheus. I doubt I matter to you.”  William hung his head. 

Prometheus smiled “William, everyone matters. You’re not the exception.” 

“If you knew what I did, you wouldn’t say that...” William looked away. 

“I would say that and stand by it even if I did know what you did. I care about you, William.” Prometheus stated and just as soon as he did, William jerked his head towards him looking at him in shock. 

When they locked eyes, a new memory flashed before his eyes of William as a little boy looking up at him. 

I would say that and stand by it even if I did know what you did. I care about you, William. 

The vision caused Prometheus to drop his bag. The words he heard were the same, but someone else was saying them. He was the one looking at William, but someone else was talking. The voice was completely different. 

Prometheus then collected himself clearing his throat “Sorry. Ahem, here. Let’s get that cast off.” 

He said while taking out the scissors. He gently and carefully began to snip the cast off of William’s arm. As he did, it seemed like the young man was not so defensive towards him as he no longer recoiled away. 

“You reminded me of someone... An old friend” William admitted. 

“Really? I hope it was someone nice.” Prometheus smiled. 

“He’s dead now. He died three years ago.” William explained. 

“I’m sorry to hear that. The plague did claim a lot of people’s loved ones.” Prometheus replied compassionately as he carefully removed the cast. 

“It wasn’t the plague. He fell down the stairs and cracked his head. The Baron tried to help him, but there was nothing he could do.” William sadly went on. 

“That’s very sad.” Prometheus replied and checked William’s arm for any sensitivity or anything unusual “How does your arm feel?” 

“Much better. Thank you, doctor.” William moved his free arm around. 

“I’m glad.” Prometheus leaned in as he picked up his bag to whisper “If you ever want me to help you again, just come to my clinic. I’m a friend too.” 

William pursed his lips not refusing or accepting. 

“Alright, we’re done.” Prometheus said as he came out. 

“See? That wasn’t so bad, William.” Justine teased him before turning to the doctors “Anyway, we’d better get you paid for your services, doctors.” 

“We’re not in a rush to leave.” Igor smiled from ear to ear. 

Justine led them back up the stairs through the luxurious main hall again and up some more stairs to the door of one of the offices. 

She knocked before entering “My lady, the doctors are here to collect their fee.” 

“Justine, you know you don’t have to call me that.” a woman’s voice was heard. 

Prometheus perked up at the sound of the voice and felt his heart race. 

“I know, but last time I didn’t, I got an earful from the Baron.” Justine replied. 

“Come in.” the woman sighed. 

Justine opened the door for the doctors and inside sitting at the desk was the Baroness. She looked up at the doctors and stood up to greet them. She was not German. She had long wavy dark brown hair, tanned olive skin, thick lips, a curvy figure, amber brown eyes and long eyes lashes. She wore a gold and red dress with jewelry fit for a queen. Prometheus’ jaw dropped and his heart skipped a beat upon seeing her, but not because of her beauty. Yet another memory hit him in the head of seeing this woman back when she was younger. She was beautiful then too and flashed a smile just before getting ready to kiss him. 

“Elizabeth...” Prometheus gasped out loud, then covered his mouth with his hand looking beet red. 

Igor also looked at Prometheus biting his lip nervously. 

“How do you know the Baroness’ name?” Justine asked. 

“The same reason everyone knows the Baron’s name, Justine. When you’re that famous, everyone knows your name.” Elizabeth reassured her and walked to the doctors taking a bow “Baroness Elizabeth Frankenstein.” 

“Prometheus.” the creature-doctor replied while bowing and tipping his hand stiffly “Dr. Prometheus.” 

“Dr. Igor Buckliger, Baroness.” Igor calmly introduced himself nothing Prometheus’ nervous demeanor. 

“Thank you both for tending to William. Most people would not get involved.” Elizabeth smiled at them and took out the checkbook “So how much is the medical fee?” 

“That won’t be necessary, my dear. You know our insurance covers it.” a man’s voice was heard behind them. 

They all turned around and at the entrance was Baron Victor Frankenstein. Prometheus felt his heart rate go up again, but for different reasons this time. Victor was the exact same man who beat and chased him out into the woods that fateful night. He also did more to him before that. Prometheus clenched his fist for a moment as Victor allowed one of the maids to adjust the collar of his turtleneck while smiling and fluttering her eyelashes at him before leaving. 

“Welcome to my home. I am Baron Victor Frankenstein. You’ve met my lovely wife Elizabeth and her charming assistant Justine.” Victor walked over smiling. 

“Dr. Prometheus.” Prometheus replied holding back his anger like a champ. 

For a moment, he and Victor locked eyes. Prometheus then noticed that his eyes were different. He remembered they were blue, but now, they were dark green. In fact, many things were different about him. 

“Say, I’ve heard of you. You look... well. I hear of how people described you and was imagining you to be well...” Victor laughed making Justine frown and Elizabeth turned her head away in shame. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Igor scoffed, but Prometheus held him back. 

“This is Dr. Igor Buckliger. My assistant. We came here to treat your younger brother William for a broken arm.” Prometheus tried to intervene. 

Victor rubbed his strong chiseled looking chin “Oh? That William. He’s a clumsy one. I’m afraid he’s not covered by our insurance. Young men need to be independent you know.” 

“Perhaps.” Prometheus only replied as the disgust sunk in. 

“Well, this should cover the fee and don’t worry, we won’t need any more follow-ups. If poor William ever scrapes his knees again, I can tend to him myself. I am a doctor too after all.” Victor took the checkbook, wrote in it and handed a check with a rather generous amount to Prometheus. 

Igor whistled in surprise upon seeing the amount too. 

“Baron Frankenstein, our clinic’s poli-” Prometheus began, but was cut off by Mr. Falchion, taking his shoulder by surprise. 

“Thank you for your services, doctors. You may go now.” Falchion stoically said and forcefully led them away. 

“Goodbye. Nice meeting you.” Victor waved at them smiling as Justine left the office herself while Elizabeth and Prometheus looked at each other one more time. 

“Hands off.” Igor grumbled as he shook Falchion’s hand off his hump before turning up his nose and they left compliantly. 

Once alone, Victor glared at Elizabeth “What was with that look?” 

“What look?” Elizabth asked. 

“The look you gave that thing that calls itself a doctor. You want to talk about it?” Victor asked sternly. 

“There’s nothing to talk about. I wouldn’t dishonour our vows.” Elizabeth commented suggestively. 

Victor responded by grabbing her face and pulling her right up to his while looking furious as his green eyes glowed for a moment as did the veins that could be seen in them. 

He then smiled slyly and let her go while his eyes went back to normal “No, of course you wouldn’t. You’re not a genius like me, but you’re not stupid at least, darling.” 

Falchion then reentered the office “They are gone, master.” 

“Good, good, Falchion. Now, let me go have a talk with William.” Victor began to walk out. 

Elizabeth’s face went pale and was about to go after him“Leave him alone!” 

“Relax. I’m just going to talk to him, darling.” Victor reassured her softly and once he was far enough away, he rolled up his sleeves “And discipline the little parasite accordingly if he yapped anything he shouldn’t have.” 

“No!” Elizabeth wanted to go stop him, but Falchion held her back as the maids giggled at her mockingly. 

“Let the master be and know your place, lady Elizabeth.” Falchion scolded her. 

Elizabeth responded by turning her back to him with tears flowing down her cheeks. 

Back in the coach, Prometheus and Igor both had their arms crossed while frowning bitterly. 

“That place was creepy...” Igor shuddered. 

“Now, I’m sure I know Victor Frankenstein, Igor, and he’s no friend. I can feel it.” Prometheus clenched his fist. 

“Did you noticed the way he commented on your appearance? So rude.” Igor rolled his eyes. 

“More importantly, I noticed the way HE looked.” Prometheus began “He is the scientist who chased me out that day, but he’s not quite the same. He’s as tall as me, which he most certainly wasn’t before. He’s also a lot beefier than I remember. Even his jaw is different. He also used to have blue eyes...” 

Igor took this in “Then either this is a different guy or... he modified his own body, but why would Victor do that if there were risks involved?” 

“Maybe he knows the trick to removing the risks or the treatments he gives patients are flawed on purpose. From what we researched about his miracle modifications, you need treatment for life after. Expensive treatment.” Prometheus stroked his beard. 

“What a rat. Plus, he was lying through his teeth about William being clumsy. Even from a distance, I could tell that the poor kid's scars and other bruises were not from falls or stumbles. I remember from the injuries my grandfather used to leave me...” Igor stated. 

“Also, there’s nothing stopping William from coming to visit us if he wants to. Plus, there’s still the matter of the unpaid bill.” Prometheus cheekily pointed out. 

“But the check is right-” Igor pointed to it. 

Prometheus responded by crumpling it up and eating it before shrugging “I lost it.” he and Igor then chuckled.