This chapter is "short" for me anyways and it's been nearly two months since Michael and Katrina first met. Read and enjoy!

Chapter 7: Consequences

For the past two weeks, Katrina had felt very lethargic and run-down, she had also been forgetful and was constantly bickering with Ichabod.

"Why can't you just let me be?! You are not my father and you have no control over me!"

"Katrina! How can you say such things?"

"If you would just leave me be, I wouldn't have to get this upset!"

"Well maybe if I knew what was going on in your life I wouldn't have to pry."

"What concern of yours is it?! It is my life, not yours!"

She was also having a hard time sleeping and keeping an appetite. Lately even her favorite foods seemed to repulse her, some even making her sick.

So, one afternoon just before July started, Katrina closed the shop early and made her way to a doctor. She had tried so many remedies and all to no avail. But even the best doctors needed to see one, right?

As she was approaching the doors, she saw a woman sitting on a bench next to the double doors. The woman had a black hood over her. As Katrina walked closer, the woman grabbed her wrist. Katrina gasped and tried to pull free. The woman stood and the cloak dropped to reveal-her stepmother?! She gasped and struggled to get free. "Dear stepdaughter, you look as if you've seen a ghost." Again, Katrina collapsed on the stairs.

When she woke, she was safely in the doctor's office, a worried looking man in his maid-forties peered at her behind wire frame glasses. "Are you all right? You gave me quite a scare when I saw you on my stoop."

She shook her head. "No. I haven't been feeling the best I can."

The doctor nodded. "All right. Well, let's see what's wrong."

---

Michael had finished his performance for the night and was safely in his home, hoping Katrina would come soon. He smiled at the mere thought of her and sat in the kitchen. He had learned a great deal about her: how she'd lost her father and stepmother (though how wasn't clear) the saintly Ichabod taking her and Masbath in. He himself had told her little things about himself as well.

At exactly quarter after eleven, Katrina walked in, a look of dismal and pain on her face. He immediately went to her, gently turning her so that her eyes were looking at him. "Katrina, my dear, what is wrong? What ails you love?"

"Oh, a disaster beyond proportions! The most damned thing ever ensuring I'll burn in hell!"

Michael pulled her into his chest. "Sh! Dear Katrina, do not think such thoughts. Hell is not the place for an angel like yourself."

She laughed bitterly. "Oh yes. Dear sweet innocent me." She laughed again, shaking her hair, her blonde curls flowing behind her. "No, Michael, I should have known."

"Should have known what love?"

"Known that all this-you, my new life, everything-was too good to last."

Michael frowned. "I don't understand. What do you mean love?"

She sighed again and whispered three words in his ear-the most life-altering for either of them. Holding her tight, he promised that everything would be all right.

He would find a solution.