Chapter 5 – Devil Take the Hindmost


'' Are you relatives by any chance? '' Erik says while nodding to Meg as she tells Hercules to mind his own business while clearly being in an uncomfortable position with that centaur. Kat laughs before shrugging her shoulders with a sly smirk,

'' Well I did grow up with those movies. ''

'' They are charming, I enjoy them as well. How many more are there? ''

'' A lot more. Disney's at it since the 80s, I think. So there's a lot we can still watch. Next we go for Mulan, she's one of my role models. ''

'' Mulan? Like the female warrior from China who disguised herself as a male to fight in the war? ''

'' Exactly like. '' Erik nods and they share a smile. It's been three days since Kat told Erik to stop it with the apologies and he has not since tried again. Kat knows better than to expect much from it, he'll try again at one point or another. But she'll enjoy the time they spent in peace. Erik's getting better steadily. His fever is down and he can walk on his own again, there's a sway in between but that's because his circulation is still recovering. Tony gave him Ibuprofen for the pain in his bones and a couple of vitamins yesterday and it's already showing an effect. If it continues that way he'll be completely fine by the end of the week.

For now they'll watch a few more movies and Erik has the chance to learn a bit more about the business of her world. He's fascinated by pretty much anything he finds and after Kat came out of the shower, she found him looking through her books.

It's a peaceful atmosphere that she'd love to keep for as long as possible.


'' C'mon handsome, let's get you in the tub. I've let the water in. '' They finished Mulan and Kat decided that it's time for Erik to take a bath. Beside the fact that the herbs in the water will help his circulation, the days he was battling that fever left kind of a bad smell on him which she rather would get rid of now. She would offer him to take a shower but he's not going to stand through that. He can almost walk by himself again without having to stop after every second step or constantly support himself on the wall as long as it's only about getting through her flat. But his bones are still hurting, even though he tries to hide it from her. While she understands his motives -which are really just a mix of shame, stubbornness and the attempt to not be a bother for her- looking at things as they are, being sick is the only thing that's saving him from the nutcracker job she still wants to do on him.

Beside, things that demand a lot of effort are still tough for him. Not only because of the pain, his body hasn't gotten back to its old strength either. That means it's a hard no for the shower but a bath will be just fine. The herbs aren't only going to be good for his circulation, they're going to relax his sore muscles as well. And the hot water will help with the pain.

Besides, the bathtub Kat had installed not long after moving in offers more than enough space for two people and it has a nice Jacuzzi function. That means after she scrubbed Erik's back, it's going to be relaxing for the both of them. To her it's not that big of a deal but Erik looks a tad ashamed about the news that she'll help him.


'' I should not be demanding your help with this. It is embarrassing. ''

'' We've seen each other naked before, Erik, it's not a big deal. You're not demanding anything, I am. You're smelling bad. ''

'' I'm sorry. '' She swats his arm,

'' You were sick with a high fever, nobody smells like roses after that. Except you were apologizing for being sick, cause that was totally your fault. C'mon, let's go. '' Kathrine winks at him as she walks towards the bathroom. She is not offering him any help and he is grateful for that. The past days have been extremely difficult. He has had a fever before but it was not like this one and Erik is sure that he would no longer be alive if it hadn't been for Kathrine's care and the medication of this world. There is still a certain tension between them, Kathrine becomes more comfortable around him again but Erik knows that it'll take time until she can truly feel at peace in his presence again. But their current situation is beyond everything he was hoping for already. He missed her boldness, her flirtatious character. He missed everything about her. And this is his chance to never be parted from her again, he cannot ruin this again.

The bathroom smells wonderful from all the herbs Kathrine put into the water. He closes the door after entering to make sure the steam and the scent won't fade as quickly. Kathrine is gathering a few towels which she places close to the extremely voluminous tub that clearly was meant to be half a swimming pool. The steam is comforting but it's also making him a bit dizzy so that he has to grab the sink for support. Kathrine quickly notices that and walks up to him,

'' You're going to feel better once you sit in the water. If not, I'll open a window. '' She mutters softly while her hands move to lift his shirt. Erik would like to complain but he has to admit that being cared for this intensely feels too good to allow shame to interrupt this. They work him out of his cloths rather swiftly and Kathrine helps him into the tub.

As soon as his body is in the warm water, he relaxes. The tensed muscles in his back slowly loosen and soon he's stretched out in the water, his back leaning against the wall of the tub and his arms at each of his sides. His eyes quickly catch the movement beside him and despite the voice in his head telling him to politely look away, he cannot stop staring at this beautiful woman undressing in front of him. Every bit of marvelous skin that is being revealed has him fearing that he might not be able to control his body.

Bare and perfect Kathrine slides into the tub next to him easily, she is not making a show of it and Erik blames his condition for that.

'' Hand me that. '' She nods to a bottle of shampoo and he quickly hands it over.

'' Turn around. '' Her voice is still tensed whenever she speaks with him. He heard her talking to others on the phone and to Tony as he came by and her voice was always smooth. But every time she addresses Erik or answers him, she sounds tensed. It grew a little softer over the days but he can still hear it.

As soon as he turned his back to her, he can hear her popping the shampoo bottle open. Seconds later he can feel her softly massaging it into his shoulders. His eyes close on their own as her hands find every tensed muscle in his body. The same way they did before, back in the Opera, back when they were still a couple.

'' Kathrine- ''

'' Don't. '' Her voice cuts him off like it always does whenever he tries to tell her how sorry he is. The movements of her hands loose some of their gentleness for a moment. Erik shakes his head and turns to face her, taking both her hands in his lovingly. Her expression is cold, almost angry.

'' Why won't you allow me to apologize to you? ''

'' I told you, it won't change anything. You left me, you threatened me, you threatened my family. That's a fact, it wasn't just some idea, you were considering it. You might be sorry but that doesn't change that you did these things. ''

'' I did not mean it- ''

'' I was angry at you before, we were fighting before but I never once mocked your face! I never insulted it or threatened you in that way! There are lines you just can't cross without having to face the consequences later! '' She suddenly snaps, once again interrupting him. For a moment she is glaring him down, rage and hurt reflecting in her eyes. Erik feels horrible. At last, Kathrine sighs and runs her fingers through her hair,

'' Look… I just can't forgive you for that. I can move past it -but only once I'm sure you won't do it again. And I'm just not sure if that's ever the case. So… let's just keep thing as they are until we figured something out. You just have to let me be angry. We can try to carry on our thing but only if you don't bring that shitty thing up again. ''

'' As you wish. '' He lowers his eyes until he realizes that he is starring right at her naked body instead of the ground and quickly averts his eyes to the side, hoping his body will behave decently. But of course Kathrine notices. And suddenly she leans in. As her lips press onto his while her hands are on his knees to support herself, Erik feels like he was sent to heaven. Part of him feels confused. After her speech he was not expecting her to kiss him. He's not dumb enough to question her though, he'll enjoy this as long as she will let him.

His hands move on their own, they cup her cheeks and pull her closer. The decency he wanted to show is canceled as she slides into his lap easily. Their kiss quickly grows more passionate and Erik feels the urge to run his hands along her body. To feel every curve and caress every part of skin he feels. But he is unsure. Kathrine mentioned how she uses sex to cope with certain things, he would not want her to feel uncomfortable in any way if they take such a step. If the only reason for her sudden affection is because she has no other way to deal with the situation, he could never use her like that. As much as he hates himself for it, he pulls back far enough to mutter against her lips,

'' Kathrine, are you sure you want to- '' Suddenly her arms around his neck tighten their grip and the same moment Kathrine bites his bottom lip in a warning, her lap starts rubbing against his,

'' Shut the fuck up. '' Her hips snap and he almost slips into her warm entrance. The motion send a wave of electricity through him,

'' God! ''

'' Close. '' She smirks and if he wouldn't be so overwhelmed right now, he'd have returned her smirk. Finally his hands move in his favor and slide all along her body, caress her curves and her soft skin. The rubbing of their sexes is driving him mad. No longer able to hold back, Erik wraps an arm around her hips to lift her far enough to finally guide himself into her waiting entrance. Kathrine moans sweetly, her nails scratching along his back. Erik breathes out heavily through his grit teeth, his fingers digging into her sweet flesh. He never expected to have her like this again. Not in a million years had he thought she would ever move her hips up and down like this, holding on to him and panting against his lips. The sound of the water splashing over the edges of the tub and hitting the floor don't even reach his mind. All he can focus on is Kathrine riding him with her lips devouring his and her hands

'' Fuck…! Oh fuck, yes! Yes! Erik! '' His name in that tone is almost too much for him to bare. He reaches his edge quickly but the clenching of Kathrine's muscles around him announce that this time she is close as well. Muttering and moaning her name over and over, Erik allows his lips to caress her throat, his teeth gently nibbling on her neck. The closer he gets, the more he realizes how much he wants to see these marks on her again. He wants to ask for permission, for her consent to this ravaging of her neck but he's caught in the sweet haze of lust and allows his hands to grasp her hips tighter, his mouth to suck on her skin more aggressively.

Kathrine moans and arches her back, giving him perfect access to her perfect breasts. Erik would be a fool to miss that choice. His lips quickly fasten on her rosy bud, his tongue caressing the sensitive flesh right before his teeth gently nibble on it. Kathrine's motions become uncontrolled, messy and they're driving him dangerously close to reaching his climax. Erik moves one hand down to her soft entrance to rub the bud and cause further friction. Kathrine's moans turn into high-pitched whines and suddenly her hands cup his cheeks and her lips move along the deformed half of his face.

That is enough to finally push him over the edge. With a long, deep groan Erik feels his seed entering his beloved's body and a very very dark part of him wishes it'd reach her fertile womb and put a child into her. He knows Kathrine would be irresistible if her trained, perfect stomach swells while his child is growing inside her. Even with the chance that their child might inherit his deformed face, he'd take that risk. A child would bind Kathrine to him. She'd be his for all eternity. His head is filled with pictures of Kathrine's body slowly showing the first signs of pregnancy. Her round breasts would swell with milk to feed their child once it is born. Her hips will become fuller as well, preparing for pushing their child into the light of day. But the most tempting vision is Kathrine looking at her nude self in the mirror, her stomach swelling and showing everyone that she belongs to him. That their child is growing inside her.

But of course Erik knows that would never happen. Even if he'd manage to impregnate her, Kathrine would have it removed right away. She clearly told him she'd never be a mother. A small part in Erik hopes a sudden pregnancy might change her mind. A sick part of him wishes for her to notice only when their child grows and it is too late to have it removed surgically.

'' Did I lose you?~ '' Her voice purrs into his ear, getting him out of his thoughts. As soon as he realizes what he was wishing for, he feels ashamed. But Kathrine's tongue running across his deformed face quickly has him forgetting everything about that. He cups her cheeks and catches her lips with his. Their kiss is passionate but tired. Both of them have reached their climax, Erik knows for certain because her walls were tightening as she screamed his name. He only now really realizes that part and feels pleased with himself that he could satisfy her this time.

'' I could not stop thinking about our night. Not one day passed without me catching myself dreaming about this night. I cannot forget it, not a second of it. '' The playful expression on her face drops at his sudden confession and Erik watches something close to insecurity replacing it. She smiles nervously,

'' That's good, right? ''

'' I was insecure… I hurt you… The night that was supposed to be perfect was ruined by my selfish worries. I know my behavior was wrong and I cannot ask you to forgive me just because I am telling you this now… But please believe me that I have never regretted anything as I regret this. I love you and I will do anything for you. Please, allow me in your life again. I will prove myself to you and earn my place in your heart step by step. '' She looks at him silently for a while.

'' I didn't enjoy it. Sleeping with strangers. Normally it was a way to put off stress but now… After we broke up I couldn't do that anymore. I didn't really want to either. I just thought it would help me getting over you more quickly. And after you showed up suddenly it was more of a stubborn sort of revenge. I left so many people before they woke up, I never thought I'd ever be the one being left. ''

'' Getting over me? ''

'' I love you. How many times do I have to repeat that until you listen to me? I never wanted to wake up next to someone after sex that badly and to find you gone fucking hurt. Okay? Your little disappearing-trick broke my bloody heart. I thought sleeping with others, feeling that rush with others, would make me forget that. But it didn't. ''

'' I… I did not know it would hurt you this much… Not then. '' Kathrine growls as she moves off his lap,

'' Sur-fucking-price. I didn't give up my life here for nothing. I didn't just blow every opportunity I had here for a small fuck. I was ready to spend my life with you down there. ''

'' You… were? '' Her expression turns dark the moment Erik realizes what he said was dumb,

'' That's all you have to say? '' With a snort Kathrine stands up,

'' No- Kathrine, please- '' He reaches out to stop her but she already slipped out of the tub. Helplessly Erik watches how she wraps a towel around herself and leaves the bathroom, throwing the door close behind her with a loud bang. He slides deeper into the water, his face in his hands. Is it really possible for one man to be such a gigantic ass?


He finds her on the balcony, a drink next to her on the small table and a cigarette in her hand. As she notices him she grits her teeth in anger but at last she sighs,

'' You're my worst nightmare, do you know that? You pull me close, you push me away. You tell me you love me in one moment and in the next you send me to hell. You make me love you, you promise me the world and then you leave. I can't take that. If you want me to forgive you then you can just as well go back now because that won't happen. I won't forgive you and forget this so that we can live happily ever after. '' She flips the cigarette over the balcony down onto the street and stands up to close the gap between them a little,

'' I know that you're broken, okay? But there's just so much I can take and you're crossing that line time and time again and I can't- I can't live like that. If you want this to work you can't be like this anymore. I'm doing my part, I visit my doctor, I take my meds and I tell you about my feelings even though that shit still has me shaking. I'm working on this! But you just pull this bipolar shit on me. Yes, no, happy, not happy, here, gone. ''

'' I'm sorry- '' She pushes him hard,

'' Don't say you're sorry! Don't apologize for something you don't really regret! ''

'' I regret more than you can imagine. '' He tries to keep his voice calm, to soothe her anger and it works just enough to not have her scream at him,

'' No you regret the way it ended. Leaving felt right to you and it will again at some point. That's just who you are. ''

'' I will never leave you again, trust me. ''

'' Why should I? You don't trust me either. '' Her voice is bitter, her eyes narrowed. Erik cups a cheek gently,

'' I trust you. '' She slaps his hand away and pushes him again,

'' No you don't! Because if you did you would have been there that morning! If you'd trust me you would believe me when I tell you that I love you, that I don't mind your face, that I don't mind your preference! If you really would trust me you wouldn't always again try to protect me from yourself because you would know that I'd smack you stupid should you really do something I don't want! You saw me fighting, you know I could kill you at any moment no matter what situation! '' Erik fails to answer, too stunned to react other than stare at her with pain in his eyes. Kathrine huffs a dry laugh,

'' But you ran. You don't believe me. You're trying to protect me from yourself. You don't trust me… We can try this again because I won't give you up. But if you want this to work, you'll have to get help. ''

'' You mean a psychiatrist. ''

'' I can take you along to my Doc. He probably won't treat you but a colleague of his will. You are not doomed to feel like this, Erik. You have the chance to become better. It's your choice whether you want to go that path or not. But as long as you don't, we won't ever be really fine. My next appointment is in two days. Make your choice. '' The words echo in his mind. The very words he spat at her as he captured the Scholar and threatened to kill him if she won't stay with him. Perhaps professional help might repair him.

'' I will. '' Erik tenderly takes her face in his hands and kisses her. The feeling of being so close to his beloved after all that time, the sweet sensation of her lips on his, it's even better than he remembers. If seeking professional help really is the only way for them to be happy, he will do it. Kathrine pulls back and titles her head down to hide her face from him. He grimaces in guilt, she seems tired,

'' Kathrine…- ''

'' Let's just not do that right now. '' She mutters and moves away from his embrace. He turns as she walks past him, his eyes narrowing,

'' Kathrine... I love you. '' She stops the same way she did as he first sang those words to her. In their shared home after he almost killed the scholar and forced her to stay with him for all eternity. This time she doesn't turn to face him though, this time she merely stares at the ground in front of her, her body slumped,

'' Yeah. '' He watches as she walks into the bedroom area to enter her closet. Erik doesn't look if she closes the door to change into more decent cloths or not. Instead his feet move towards the kitchen. He is briefly familiar with most items by now. The electric kettle to make tea, the microwave to heat frozen food or hot chocolate, the oven she rarely uses because she fears she might set fire to the kitchen and the fridge. He fills the electric kettle with water and pushes the button at the bottom. The water quickly begins to boil in the apparatus and Erik fills it into two mugs he fetches from the cabinets. Kathrine's favorite tea is the sweet strawberry one.

Before he can finish the tea, Kathrine moves to the front door,

'' Be back in a few. '' Erik quickly rushes to her side,

'' Where are you going? ''

'' Just somewhere. '' She brushes his hand off her shoulder. Erik feels jealousy burning in him. She couldn't. She wouldn't. Would she?

'' Are you seeing someone? '' Kathrine raises an eyebrow at him but her voice remains tired,

'' Are you my dad now? ''

'' Will you return or spend the night away…'' Suddenly the slightly stubborn, daring stance that built up in her completely disappears and her eyes become blank,

'' You think I'll have sex. ''

'' I am not entirely excluding it. '' Kathrine then looks at him as if he insulted her,

'' You're joking…''

'' Surely my presence will not stop your from your whoring any longer. Now that your worry for my possible death in your apartment has vanished there is nothing keeping you from another stranger's bed. '' The hand collides with his cheek before he even has the chance to comprehend what is going on. The power behind Kathrine's slap has his whole head rucking to the side and by the time he somewhat caught himself, Kathrine stormed out of the apartment and slams the door behind her hard enough to have him flinching. She could have beaten him but she chose to slap him. He insulted her. Yet he cannot stop thinking that she is tricking him. That right now she's going to meet Omar again. Erik's eyes narrow.


Kat managed to regain her composure by the time she reaches the pub. Stephan texted her in the time she was with Erik in the bathroom, he wants to show her something important. Kat can already imagine what it's going to be. He was waiting for an answer about his application for weeks now. So as they meet, he hugs her excitedly and pulls her into the alley next to the pub for a little quiet and peace. Something Kat is enjoying extremely at the moment. She tries to brush the thought of Erik off but that he was assuming she'd meet someone for sex after she told him she's not enjoying it any longer breaks her already broken heart a bit more. Her head is pulsing dangerously, announcing a blackout if she's not quickly doing something against that.

Seeing a gay friend is the best cure for her current dangerous mood. Because he picks her up and twirls her,

'' I'm in! I was accepted! Can you believe that babe! They took me! Oh this is wonderful! '' Kat laughs and wraps her arms around his neck tightly,

'' I'm so happy for you! You gotta make sure I'll get free stuff though or I'll hate you forever! '' He laughs,

'' Oh you're getting everything you want beautiful. They wouldn't have accepted me if it wasn't for your brilliant writing! '' He leans in and kisses her. Just a touch of their lips that you do if you're extremely happy. Kat returns the smooth wholeheartedly, finally some of the tension and the darkness disappears. She feels like she can breathe again.

Until, suddenly, Stephan is ripped away from her and pushed against the wall across her roughly.

'' What the- ?! '' The man standing in front of her is no one else but the Phantom of the Opera, fully dressed in his shitty Opera attire and he's standing between her and her gay friend. Kat steps closer and grabs a fistful of his coat,

'' Erik! '' Erik tries to attack the other man, his eyes filled with rage and every muscle in his body tensed. The darkness and the numbing pressure returns and it's worse than before. She can't take this much longer.

'' You will never lay a finger on her again! '' Erik growls but Kathrine puts herself between him and Stephen. Her friend looks terrified,

'' What's going on!? '' Kat pushes Erik back,

'' Erik leave him alone! -Steph, run! Get away! ''

'' I'll call the bobbies! ''

'' No! Just go! '' He looks at her another moment but rushes then back to the street. Kat feels dizzy, this is not good, she's going to enter her episode soon if nothing happens. She needs a miracle. Fuck, everything inside her is burning. She grabs her head, tries to breathe calmly but then Erik grabs her on her wrist,

'' I tried. I tried to wait patiently for your return. I tried not to let anger cloud my vision but I will not tolerate anyone touching you ever again! You are mine! No one else can have you! ''

'' He's gay you jackass! '' That stops Erik in his motions. Kat is loosing herself. She needs to call help asap. But Erik is being the number one priority of all her bundled rage so she pushes him hard,

'' You fucking moron! You still don't trust me! I told you I need you with me! And you think I'm going to fuck the next best bloke I spot?! I bloody told you I still love you! I told you that and you…-! '' She has to stop and slaps her hand against her forehead,

'' No, actually I'm the biggest idiot. Because I actually thought you'd have the fucking patience to wait in my shitty flat for 1 fucking bloody hour! I thought I'd come home and find you calm and collected because you know I'd never cheat on you! But of course you didn't even consider to trust me! No, you rather spy after me again and attack the most obvious gay since Elton John just because he touched me! '' All she wanted was to find him at home. All she needed was that. Just that. Nothing else. He could have been mad at her, he could have given her the silent treatment. Just as long as he would have been there. Her heart is howling in her chest, her head is pounding, she feels sick. Everything around her spins. He was convinced she'd cheat on him. He was convinced she would try to shag someone while he's waiting for her.

'' Surely my presence will not keep you from your whoring any longer.''

No. No he didn't wait. He didn't because he didn't trust her. He never trusted her. Everything she's done, everything she has given up and forgotten and forgiven him and he didn't even trust her enough to wait for her to come back. 20 minutes. She was 20 minutes gone. That means he never waited. He never sat back. It wasn't the time alone that allowed thoughts of doubt to come up. Because he followed her the moment she left the building.

''...there is nothing keeping you from another stranger's bed. ''

Suddenly there's a heavy weight pressing down on her chest and she's not able to breathe. Tears well up in her eyes as she opens her mouth to try to stay in control. She's suffocating. Her hand moves to her throat, she can't breathe.

'' Kathrine? '' Erik steps closer but she barely pays attention to him. All she can focus on is the rising panic and the sound of her wildly beating heart in her ears. Her muscles are cramping, her head feels as if somebody shattered a bottle on it and the glass is digging deep into her skull. Then her legs give out and she crashes to the ground, the ragged breathing nothing more than high-pitched gasps.

'' Kathrine! '' Erik's voice is the last thing she hears before everything around her becomes black.


Kat wakes up in her bed. Her head is still pounding, her first instinct is to throw up beside her bed but she can hold it back. Erik is sitting next to the bed on a chair from the kitchen. Seeing him makes it worse. The tingling in her body changing into a stabbing. She feels her muscles flexing. Suddenly she realizes she hasn't taken her meds in 3 days now. Kat tries to tell Erik that he has to call help and get her the meds but he's already speaking up,

'' You suddenly lost consciousness… The doctor, Tony, said that reason for this was a mental break-down. I… believe this was my fault. '' Kat bites her lip and turns her back to him as she feels tears in her eyes. Erik makes no move to stop her, or to turn her back around. He was supposed to stop the pain. He was supposed to keep her soul from breaking. He was supposed to love and trust her. But he didn't. He just made her more miserable. As he left her he did and he didn't stop since then. And for the first time in her life, after being abused by doctors and being lied at and betrayed… for the first time she wants to die. It makes her sick but the thought of suicide suddenly sounds very comforting to her. She could cut her wrists or hang herself. She could put a bullet right between her eyes or take too many pills. It would be so easy and it would end it and it would make the people she loves miserable but she wouldn't even notice. Because she would be gone. Erik couldn't hurt her anymore… and she wouldn't want to forgive him. Kat bites her tongue hard and closes her eyes tightly, a silent attempt to stop the tears from welling up. She wants to give him another chance. And then another. And another. Perhaps he will trust her if she just gives him more chances. Just a few more. Just a handful. She feels sick at herself. How could she fall this low.

'' I cannot let you go. I tried to leave many times within the past 4 hours. I tried give you free… but I can't. I will never be capable to let you go. I cannot. Will not. I love you too much. '' He just won't shut up. The first tear then forces its way out of her eye. If Erik notices that her body begins to twitch every time Kat forces down a sob, he doesn't let her know. She can hear him struggling for words but for a while he's not saying anything. At some point he sighs,

'' Kathrine I am so sorry… I am sorry that I betray you every time you choose to trust me again. I'm sorry I assumed you would sleep with another man. I never had any reason to doubt you and yet I did. I am ashamed of myself. ''

Shut up.

'' I accused you of whoring, nothing excuses that. ''

Shut up…! Shut up…!

'' I understand if you cannot forgive me. But please, you have to believe me when I tell you that I'm sorry- ''

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut up!Shut-

'' -up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! ''


He winces as Kathrine suddenly covers her ears as she begins to scream the same two words over and over again. His eyes widen as he watches her crouching in a fetal position, her whole body shaking dangerously.

'' Kathrine? ''

'' Shutupshutupshutupshutupshutup! '' He looks around, his throat tightening in panic. What is he supposed to do? How can he help her? Finally his eyes stop on Kathrine's phone. He knows how to make phone calls. That means he can call somebody. But Tony might not be the right person for this right now. No, Kathrine is not in any physical trouble. This is about her mental illness. And Erik knows of only one person who really is informed about all of this. And by god, this will be the hardest call he has and will ever make.

'' Are you okay? Did something happen? '' The Scholar's voice is worried. Erik moved to the living room, watches Kathrine shake and rocking on the bed, muttering and clawing at the pillows.

'' Monsieur Williams. Kathrine- ''

''What- How did you get Kat's phone?! Where is she?! ''

'' I am in need of your assistance. Kathrine had a… She collapsed after we had an argument and I fear that she might be… I cannot say for sure how to describe it but she is trashing wildly and muttering. Her mood is changing in extremes. I have not experienced one of her Episodes yet but I am almost certain that this is what she is fighting right now. '' There's only a small pause,

'' I'm on my way. ''