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

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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...

    Source: geocities.com/rakna01/idea

               ( geocities.com/rakna01)