This Stranger in the Mirror A Neon Genesis Evangelion fanfic story Written by Alain Gravel http://www.geocities.com/rakna01/ Based on characters created by and copyright GAINAX Started on April 5th 2001 ======================================================================= THIS STRANGER IN THE MIRROR CHAPTER 1 - Cracks in the Ice Horaki Hikari stared in disbelief at the building standing before her. Again, she compared the address to the one she had noted, to come to the conclusion that there was no mistake to be made: this was the right place. She had heard the rumors, but had always believed that they had been exagerated. She could understand now the reluctance everyone seemed to share about coming here. The building was in such a poor condition that she had trouble believing someone lived there. The first thing Hikari discovered upon entering the place was that the elevators were no longer working. After her initial disapointement at being forced to use the stairs, Hikari decided that it was probably a good thing. Using an elevator here might not have been safe. Besides, this was a perfect opportunity to burn some of the calories of the hot fudge sundae she had indulged herself with earlier. But the call of chocolate had been so irresistible! As she walked up the stairs, Hikari couldn't help but shiver. This place looked so dead. Aside from the noise from construction nearby, there was no sound in this place, except for the sound of her steps. It was like entering a temple... or a tomb. Finally, Hikari reached the fourth floor. She quickly located the apartment 404. Her mind boggled, however, at the sight of all the mail that was piling up in the door mailbox. She gasped as she picked up an envelop lying on the floor to see that it dated from two years ago. Obviously, she couldn't leave Rei's printouts there, or they would probably be ignored. An attempt to use the door buzzer revealing that it was no longer functionning, Hikari tried to knock on the door. "Rei? Are you there?" She knocked again, to find the door opening slightly opening. Obviously, it hadn't been well closed and even less locked. For a moment, Hikari found herself facing a dilemna. Entering someone's place without permission was considered rude. But she had to deliver Rei's printouts and putting them inside seemed like the only possibility. Eventually, Hikari's duties as class representative won over her sense of morality and she entered the apartment. Hikari gasped as she saw the state of Rei's apartment. It wasn't nearly as bad as the building, but nearly. She had expected the home of someone as focussed on efficiency as Rei to be at least clean. It wasn't the case, however, judging by the dust and dirt lying all around. From her position at the entrance, Hikari grimly noted a pile of empty ramen cup on Rei's little kitchennette. Beyond that, however, she couldn't see much, due to the poor illumination of the room. She could guess the shape of a bed, but that was pretty much it. Trying to use the light switch ended up being a futile attempt; either it didn't work or the lightbulbs had all died. For a moment, Hikari tought of leaving Rei's printouts on the nearest flat object and go away, but an overzealous sense of duty, as well as a sort of morbid curiousity prevented from doing so. Reluclantly, Hikari removed her shoes. She hated the thought of dirtying her white socks on the dirty floor, but she had been given a more or less traditionnal upbrigning, unlike many other post Second Impact children, and it would have been rude for her to walk into someone apartment with her shoes on. Of course, part of her tried to ignored the fact that it had been rude in the first place to enter the apartment. Hikari shivered as she walked further into the apartment. It was so bare! And that blood on the bed! Not to mention those bloodied bandaged lying all around. Despite that it seemed dried, Hikari couldn't help but feel a certain fear rising withing her. Was that blood Rei's? If so, when had she been injured? Was that... was that why she hadn't been to school today? What if she were to find her... dead? For a moment, Hikari tried to laugh at her own stupidity. It was well known that all EVA pilots were under constant surveilance and protection. She had often noticed herself men dressed in black following them when she was hagning with Asuka. It was doubtful anyone dangerous could approach any of the EVA pilots. But this place was so isolated... Perhaps... Hikari shook her head and tried to laugh at her foolish fears when suddenly, she noticed a faint sound. Something like a whimper. Coming from the bathroom. Hikari didn't know what to do. To go and take a look... it could mean an intrusion in Rei's private life that went further than just enter her home unannounced. If the sound came from Rei in the first place. Hikari went white as her mind conjured up a few scenarios, a few of them very unpleasant. But... what if Rei was alone... and in trouble... Despite her reason mercilessly urging her to leave and just forget everything, Hikari listened to her heart and walked into the bathroom. She just couldn't walk away from someone who could be in trouble. "Oh Kami-sama!" She had expected a lot of things. She hadn't expected to see Rei lying in foetal position ad the bottom of her shower, crying and shivering under the cold water. - - - [ ] MISATO discusses with RITSUKO. Rei is declared alright. Possible consequence from stress. [ ] HIKARI waited at MISATO's. Discuss things with her. Explains about the knife and Rei's words. Raises the possibility of CHILD ABUSE (when she's just cloned, although raised really badly) and that Rei might be suicidal (not really). [ ] MISATO, ASUKA and SHINJI outtraged and wants to do SOMETHING. [ ] Misato points out that Rei is legally under GENDO's care. Considering his position, their options are limited. They opt for: 1- Having someone each night with her, 2- Try to show her what a normal teenage girl life is. [ ] Hikari comes to Rei's apartment, with a bag. "Hi, Rei, do you mind if I sleep here tonight?" - - - Author's notes: This is an idea that came to me after reading a Ranma fic called "Genma's Daughter", by Deborah Smith. It suddenly hit me as one of the ideas used there might actually apply in the NGE context and mainly to bring a solution to one eternal challenge that always seem to haunt me when I write NGE fanfics: turn Rei into an ordinary girl. Or something close anyway. Hopefully, it has as much potential as I'm hoping. Unfortunately, I won't be able to write more. While I managed to handle "Tokyo-3 Baby-sitters", this concept is on another level entirely. I mean, three girls trying to show Rei how to be a girl. I don't think I have the upbrigning to manage that. But I know that there are very talented female writers out there... female writers who just might be interested to accept this challenge. I hope someone does. I'd like to see where this story will go from here...