He opened the notebook but did not go to the page that was bookmarked. He decided to ease himself into the truth by reading what came before a bit. He once again looked at the illustrations and passages of animals having body parts replaced. This time, he got a chance to go further and look up some notes on replacing the body parts of human beings with those of animals. A process that was infamous for the patients suffering cases of lycanthropy back in the past, also known as “were-beasts”, but according to what he read, Frankenstein found a way to do it without such side effects. The patient must be dead to begin with and then revived in some twisted way while having Hedonist’s Stone fragments in their system. Basically, people like this were just a type of homuncumorph. If the same process was applied to a living patient, it would result in either becoming a were-beast or a homuncumorph. 

There was even more about homuncumorphs; Prometheus was already aware of the glowing eyes and veins as well as the wild black hair, fangs, claws and acidic blood. However, it was also confirmed that once a patient becomes a homuncumorph, there is no helping them. However, there was a way to save a patient who had Hedonist’s Stone fragments in their system before they start mutating. Although the cure was hopeless as the only way to counteract the effects would be to replace the Hedonist’s Stone fragments with Philosopher’s Stone fragments which Prometheus did not possess nor did he know how to make... though Frankenstein did once. 

According to the notebook, Frankenstein’s teacher Prof. Waldman did research on flesh alchemy. Specifically, the construction of a creature: a homunculus. It was like a homuncumorph, but it required a Philosopher’s Stone to live, and it would act just like a healthy normal human. Unlike a human though, it possessed superhuman physical abilities and could heal even near-death injuries overnight thanks to the Philosopher’s Stone in its body. Prof. Waldman had theorized that a homunculus could be constructed currently by using a dead body or piecing together the body parts of different healthy dead people together while putting Philosopher’s Stone fragments in their system. He never took it a step further other than just theorizing though Frankenstein dared to try three times though it always resulted in failure as he used fully intact criminals who were put to the noose. The revival process would always go wrong as the homunculus that would come to life would act just as dangerous and crazed as the criminal he originally was. Frankenstein then attempted to do the same process five more times by piecing together different body types to create a new life form altogether, but only one came to life and it was insane, so he locked it up. He decided to create a homunculus that was more humanoid... 

Prometheus then caught up to the page that was bookmarked revealing an illustration of a sectioned man and his stomach dropped to his feet “This is... it can’t...” Prometheus compared the detailed illustration to his face, arms and his chest. 

The colour drained from his face as he dared to continue reading. Since this homunculus was intended to look human, Frankenstein selected the best body parts from each finger to the thick black hair he got off a body in the local morgue. However, he struggled with finding a proper brain as using one from a criminal had dangerous results. He wanted to use the brain of someone who was docile, gentle and sure to not be trouble even when brought back to life as a homunculus. Once he found the right candidate, he would bring his creation to life the usual way: an alchemical bath infused with electricity specifically from a natural thunderstorm. This time, he used the entire Philosopher’s Stone which would be in the homunculus’ bloodstream. The last page did not have anything written. Just a small photograph with writing behind it; Henry Clerval. 

“Henry Clerval.... Henry Clerval....” Prometheus repeated the name several times as a vision from his past came to mind. 

From his own perspective, he was down on one knee before Elizabeth during her happier days and presented her with a beautiful diamond ring “Elizabeth, will you marry me?” 

Elizabeth’s face lit up “Oh, Henry, I thought you would never ask!” 

Prometheus, or rather Henry, got up and it looked as though he and Elizabeth were about to kiss, but the scene changed again to him speaking with a past version of Frankenstein who had his back to him. 

“So... You are engaged to Elizabeth?” Frankenstein grumbled. 

“Victor, I really do love her... but I also really care about you despite everything. You’re the brother of my heart. I want us to continue being friends. I want this to end with everyone being happy. Including you.” Henry tried to reason. 

“Brother of your heart, you say? Well... let me send this to your heart.” Victor turned around grinning with a gun in hand. 

“Victor, what are you doing?!” Henry gasped just before Victor fired. 

Prometheus screamed and then fell to his knees punching the floor with both fists. It caused the whole house to shake. Agatha jumped while Igor and Albert both winced as they knew that Prometheus now knew. They all rushed to the room where Prometheus was still on his knees crying with his face buried in his hands as Ghost watched him with pity. He turned to them looking horrified and heartbroken at the same time. 

“I... I have no past! My memories, my skills, my body... none of it is mine!” Prometheus wept. 

“Prometheus...” Igor began. 

“I’m not a person. Frankenstein built me from the body parts of various men and Henry Clerval’s brain. He was Elizabeth’s late fiancé. The memories I have are HIS. I’ve been remembering someone else’s life, using someone else’s skills and feeling someone else’s feelings. None of it is mine... I... I’m just a monster...” Prometheus wept unable to even look at them. 

“Prometheus, you are NOT a monster.” Agatha argued. 

“Yes, I am! I am literally different body parts sewn together and brought to life through alchemy and perverse science!” Prometheus shot at her. 

“So... so what, Prom? It doesn’t change anything.” Igor tried to encourage him. 

“Nothing is my own... not my purpose... not my soul... not my past... Nothing.... I don’t even have a reason to live anymore... My existence means nothing to nobody...” Prometheus wept as he leaned against the wall. 

Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. Prometheus got up and answered it. It was Mr. and Mrs. Eldrich with a huge basket of baked goods and a bottle of wine. 

“Oh, thank goodness you’re alright, dear Dr. Prometheus!” Mrs. Eldrich gasped in relief as she hugged him. 

“First the fire and then, you almost die saving the Parcel’s daughter. You truly are one in a million, doctor. But please, care for yourself too.” Mr. Eldrich patted his shoulder. 

“Oh, you didn’t have to-” Prometheus began. 

“Dr. Prometheus?” Rose Parcel’s voice called out and she ran up to him “Dr. Prometheus! You’re alright.” 

He kneeled to her “Rose, I am so sorry about what you had to see and what... I had to do.” 

She shook her head “I’m not mad. Grandmother explained to me that those monsters weren’t mother and father anymore. I’m thankful that you protected me.” 

“I am more thankful than you’ll ever know, Dr. Prometheus. You’re a hero.” Rose’s grandmother said as she approached him holding a large meat pie and kissed his head as he was still kneeling. 

It was then that Prometheus saw the long line of people behind them which consisted of his patients or relatives of them “Whoa... wait, what are all of you doing here? Do you all need medical attention? And how did you know to come here?” 

“They were all looking for you, but couldn’t reach you by telephone, so I along Mrs. Parcel Senior here spread the word that you were at the hospital and would come by here later.” Albert confessed. 

“We want to help you, Dr. Prometheus.” a woman called out. 

“And help rebuild the clinic.” a man called out. 

“I’m... I’m fine and the clinic is insured.” Prometheus was taken aback. 

“You still need help with the actual rebuilding and planning, don’t you? And from what I recall, you were short staffed.” an old man pointed out. 

“Dr. Prometheus, you’ve always helped us get back on our feet, so let us help you get back on YOURS for a change.” another man called out and the crowd resounded in agreement. 

“I... I don’t know what to say...” Prometheus was touched. 

“I believe ‘thank you’ is appropriate.” Albert said smiling. 

Ghost hooted loudly as she eyed grandmother Parcel’s meat pie hungrily. 

“I think Ghost agrees.” Agatha laughed as did the crowd while Prometheus wept tears of joy.