Edgar's body slowly toppled over. The laboratory reeked of scorched flesh and blood.
Homelander looked down at his hands. A moment later, he slowly let out a breath.
"It's over."
The shadow that had weighed on his heart for so many years shattered like glass at that moment.
Soldier Boy glanced at the body on the floor without comment, then turned toward the old man in the corner, whose face had already gone deathly pale.
Dr. Vogelbaum.
Both men's gazes settled on him.
The old man gave a bitter laugh. "Is it finally my turn?"
After watching others like himself being killed one by one, it would have been a lie to say he wasn't afraid.
Knowing death was certain, he might as well make it quick. Being the last one alive was the greatest punishment of all.
"What do you think?" Soldier Boy took a step forward.
Vogelbaum gripped the table to keep his weak legs from giving out beneath him.
The old man suddenly spoke. "Actually, I've regretted it all these years."
Homelander raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
"I believe you should have lived in a loving environment, not that laboratory."
Those words touched the most sensitive spot in Homelander's heart.
He put on a brave front. "But I turned out great."
"Perhaps." Dr. Vogelbaum smiled, though it was impossible to tell whether he was mocking himself or Homelander's attempt to act strong.
Vogelbaum continued:
"Separating a superbeing with abilities approaching perfection, one almost impossible to control, from his mother was the greatest mistake in itself. It would make him display an extremely strong urge to attack."
"If I could turn back time, I'd rather the experiment had failed."
Dr. Vogelbaum stared at Homelander, his eyes full of self-reproach. By now, Homelander was completely out of