Far East Branch Headquarters - Veteran's Floor

"A monster… she's a monster!"

"She's a fiend… a sin against humanity."

"We should destroy her while we have the chance."

"Yurushite… kudasai…"

He should have destroyed her. She deserved it. She knew.

Words echoed in an endless cacophony ringing through her head. The voices of the researchers. The voices of the doctors. The voices of her containment guard. She could feel their hateful eyes boring into her. Every face of every person she had ever killed.

She had to kill them. They needed to die. They had been the evil ones. They had been wrong… hadn't they?

For what they did to her. For the way that she was treated. For the years of torture and abuse. Their fate was a kind one… wasn't it?

That's what she had believed. What she had told herself to ease the pain. To lessen the crushing weight of her many, many sins… But now, a new voice was beginning to arise. A darker voice. Something twisted and sinister. What if they were right? Had she been the evil one? Had she deserved it all along? Was she truly less than human? Her existence was for but one purpose. Her life… her body… her soul… they had never belonged to her, had they? Should she have accepted her fate as she was destined?

As the dark thoughts swirled, the voices began to change. They became more familiar, shifting into ones she knew all too well.

She heard Hiroyuki's voice, as he trembled in terror before her.

"Please… please, stop this…"

She heard Soma's voice as he lashed out in rage.

"I'm not a monster! I'm nothing like you! Nothing!"

She heard Ichiro's, his wavering voice threatening to break.

"Anyway… that was it. I lost my mother just before the changing of the seasons."

The end of summer.

She could see them standing in front of her. Hiroyuki stood before her, looking no different than she had ever known him. His gentle smile brought warmth to her heart. Soma stood beside him; his lips curled into sarcastic smirk. Ichiro stood beside his father gazing upon her with loving eyes…

Then, they began to change. Their faces twisted and morphed. Hiroyuki's smile fell and his body deteriorated. The color drained from his already pale skin and his eyes sunk into his head. His body shriveled and shrank, wilting from starvation.

"You did this to me! You evil, evil child…"

Yuki… I'm sorry. I tried…

"My son should have ended you."

I know… I know…

Soma's smirk turned into a menacing scowl. She flinched away from his glowering eyes.

"You're a monster! We are not the same. I'm nothing like you!"

S-Soma…

To the doctor's side, Ichiro glared as well. She could almost feel the wrathful aura radiating around him. His lips twisted into a snarl and his eyes were filled with uncontained hatred. Stepping forward, he began to approach her.

"It was you. You did this. You took her from us!"

I-I didn't mean to! I-

"Haven't caused enough suffering?! Do you enjoy people's pain?!"

No! Of course not! Ichi, I would never-

"Fida wasn't enough for you, was it? No… you wanted Misato too! Your own mother wasn't enough, so you killed mine?!"

NO!

She clapped her hands over her ears, trying to drown out their voices, so laced with poison.

"You should have left this world."

I tried…

"Leave this place."

I can't!

"Why do you still live?"

I don't know! I don't want -

Her words caught in throat as a new figure appeared beside them. Ghostly skin and golden eyes adorned her smiling face. She watched in abject horror as her loved ones turned. Soma smiled warmly at her as Ichiro embraced her. Even the doctor spared her a loving pat on the head. They were happy with her. They loved her. Why wouldn't they? Shio hadn't harmed anyone, while Neo had killed countless. Shio brought nothing but joy, while all Neo brought was pain. She was the light to her darkness. Shio was a kind, loving soul… she was a killer.

She is light.

"Please stop…"

You are darkness

Stop it! Go away!

You are the Dark Child…

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

. . .

Forgotten Carrier

The following days had been unpleasant ones for the First Unit. Following their return from their 'date', Neo's behavioral patterns began to drastically change. Her routines and habits remained consistent, as she resumed spending time with her companion in his room. The difference lay in her demeanor and mannerisms. While she was physically present, her mind was always wandering. She was rarely, if ever, paying full attention, and she had ceased engaging in any conversation. What words she did say were few, and she interacted very little with her comrades aside from following orders. It was almost as though Reaper had returned to them, only this time, she was far worse.

Reaper obeyed, but she had little sentience of her own. Neo however, was very aware. To see their once willful, vibrant New Type choosing to behave in such a manner raised a great deal of alarm to those around her. It was becoming painfully evident to all of her teammates that something was very, very wrong.

By day she roamed the Far East, slaughtering as directed and returning to the Veteran's quarters upon her return. When she wasn't holed up in Ichiro's bedroom, she could occasionally be found in transit to or from the Mess Hall. Even Gunter had begun to notice her unusual behavior.

Approaching her for a third date, he found himself both stunned and slightly hurt as Neo simply strode passed him as though he weren't even there. The blatant rejection uncharacteristically brutal, even for the volatile New Type, and he was certain that he must have done something. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what and any and all attempts at doing so ended with the same result.

By nightfall, she grew even worse as even her nighttime habits had started to change. Whereas the young woman would usually wrap around her companion, sleeping soundly in his arms, now she shied away from him. She slept near the edge of the bed, trying to place as much distance between the two of them as possible. Perplexed, Ichiro made multiple attempts to get to the bottom of this new behavior. But prodding her only served to push her further away both literally and metaphorically.

With no space left to shift, Neo eventually left the bed entirely, sleeping on the couch in the middle of the room.

It was there she remained, spending her nights in physical solitude and leaving her dumbfounded companion to watch her from his bedside. And when her nightmares returned, his concern slowly grew into unease. He wanted nothing more than to hold and soothe her as he always had, but he couldn't risk pushing her away further. He could do nothing but gaze upon her trembling form as she tossed and turned, muttering incoherently at things unseen.

And when her twisted dreams reached their boiling point, both Ichiro and Soma alike felt their unease escalate into full-blown panic.

In the dead of night, Neo had erupted in her sleep, screaming in utter anguish and tumbling to the floor. The sudden shock nearly frightened her guardian out of his skin and he had nearly fallen to the ground himself, clambering from his bed to reach her. And Hamasaki wasn't the only one awoken from a sound sleep.

Her shriek had carried through the closed door and into the hallway, the soundwaves reaching Soma's sensitive ears a few doors down. He could feel his own heartbeat pounding in his chest as he leapt from his bed. And as he charged through the corridor, he only hoped that his worst fears hadn't been realized.

The veteran had been wary of Neo's mental state ever since their previous hunt together. After finishing her meal, Shio and Soma had gone to find their other ravenous woman and her companion. But upon their arrival, they found the two deep in conversation and felt it best not to interrupt them. They spoke in Japanese, so their topic of discussion was a mystery. They knew not of what they spoke… only that it ended with Neo sobbing uncontrollably.

As he slid open the door, he saw that suspicions had been very well-placed. He found Neo on the floor, writhing and shouting, with her panicked guardian trying desperately to wake her. Crossing the room in seconds, he had reached her side and offered his assistance, trying to still her for both their safety and her own… and doing so was no easy task. In her unhindered sleeping state she was a clawed bundle of thrashing limbs, her fiendish strength threatening to do serious damage.

In the end, their endeavor proved to be disastrous, as waking the New Type only made her even worse.

She awoke with a start, nearly clawing both of their faces as she flailed about. She looked utterly petrified as she looked wildly around the room trying to reorient herself to her surroundings. And the moment she laid eyes on both them, she came undone. Neither of them could stop her as she burst into tears and fled from the room, nearly tackling the other veterans that had gathered outside of the open door.

Sakuya and Lenka were included among the confused God Eaters who had been awakened by their screaming companion. They backed away to allow her passage and avoid being trampled before watching her bolt towards the stairs. Upon her exit, both of her friends were left in an awkward stunned silence as the rest of their floor's members looked to them for an explanation. In addition to finding an excuse for Soma's presence in the veteran's bedroom, they were left with the task of explaining why their New Type had been lying on the veteran's floor screeching in the first place.

Following that incident, Neo completely disappeared. Not only had she returned to her own bedroom, but she was now avoiding both men entirely. The only members of the First Unit who spent any time with her were the women and their Aragami companion. And even then, her presence was scarce. The few times Shio did see her, she was extremely upset. She could see the pain threatening to spill over every time their eyes met.

And that evasive behavior continued even as the four of them walked slowly passed the damaged bridge. With new orders, Neo had accompanied the First Unit's ladies on their first mission as a group.

The all-female squadron had spent the better of half of the last hour slaughtering sparking Fallen Zygotes and icy Fallen Cocoon Maidens. Their mission thus far had been uneventful, with the women saying little to one another as they went about their work. Alisa extracted the cores while Sakuya kept an eye out for their primary target. A short distance away from them, the others spoke quietly amongst themselves.

"…Neo?"

"Hm?"

"Tell me. Did I do something wrong?"

Neo shook her head, keeping her eyes facing forward.

"No, Shio. You did nothing wrong."

"Are you sure? You were really upset before."

"Not with you, Shio. Never with you."

Neo meant every word. She truly had no ill will towards the Aragami child. How could she? It wasn't her fault that she was everything she couldn't be. Shio didn't deserve to be punished for her existence, and the New Type would never even think about it. She knew all too well how it felt.

"… Neo?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you still angry with Soma?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I was never angry with him, Shio. He just… made me realize -"

Both heads turned as the sound of gunfire echoed through the air. Sakuya had found their target. Gipping their God Arcs, Neo and Shio moved to join their teammates.

A metal clang rang out as Alisa leapt forward. She landed in front of her Vice Commander, shield deployed, and protected her from the incoming assault. Safe from electrocution, the New Type lowered her shield… and from behind it she could see a large golden mass barreling towards them.

The women separated, leaping in opposite directions to avoid the shimmering bowling ball. Unfolding, it threw its fists toward the two with such force that it spun between them as they narrowly escaped. Continuing its assault it leapt into the air, firing a massive sphere in Alisa's direction. Her blonde head disappeared once more behind her shield, rocking from the force of the blow.

Gunshots echoed through the open air signaling the arrival of their teammates. Coming in from the flank, Shio and Neo entered into the fray. Their synchronized divine bullets flew side by side, colliding with their unsuspecting target. The bullets struck its sensitive arms, startling it and knocking it off balance. With their target toppled, the women closed in.

Alisa swung in a downward arc, bringing her Long Blade across the Kongu's arms where the divine energy still burned against its skin. Doubling up, her strike shattered the cells in its limb. Shio switched forms and leapt forward, swinging her smaller blade along the pipes running down its plume.

Enraged, the Kongou flailed, its body sparking dangerously in the center of them.

"Move back!"

Alisa and Shio responded, hopping away from the monster as currents danced across its skin. And as the trio disengaged and retreated, another quickly took their place. Neo hurled herself into the air and descending from the sky landed right on top of the electrified creature. Reaching downward, she clasped her hand around one of its trailing plumes, grunting as the Kongou discharged its lightning. Her body twitched as the current coursed through every limb, her scarf radiating with electricity.

With its attack ineffective, the monster roared and started climbing to its feet. Disinterested, the New Type rose with it, riding its back like an oversized mount. And as her moving platform stabilized she rose to her feet, placing the barrel of her rifle against the monster's back.

A bellowing rumble tore through the are as Neo unloaded the remainder of her bullets into its sensitive organ and unbound its cells. The monster lurched forward, stumbling and sending the woman riding it tumbling to the ground.

"Ugh…"

She shook her head, trying to get her bearings as she rose to her feet.

"Neo, look out!"

Alisa's shout sobered her. Spinning, she lifted her shield to receive the incoming blow. Mistiming her deployment, she was airborne within moments as the Kongou's massive fist drove into her. She could feel the cracking of bone as she soared, and could hear the tell-tale snap as she slammed into the hard ground.

From the center, the Kongou changed its target, having successfully removed its primary nuisance. It barreled toward Shio, fist raised high into the air. The ground at their feet splintered under the force of the blow as the little girl danced to the side, avoiding its strike. As she turned, she lifted her sword, slicing it across its back leg. Irritated, it turned and swung again, to a similar result as she tore along its arm. Her quick, nimble counterstrikes were quickly proving frustrating.

Lifting onto its hind legs, the ape-like creature stretched to the sky, hands clenched into tight fists. Shio giggled gleefully as it fell easily into her trap. With its belly exposed, it left itself vulnerable and two Gunners were prepared to take full advantage. The attack was interrupted as a wave of bullets collided with its midsection, sending it tumbling backwards into a nearby structure.

In the distance, Neo groaned softly against the ground as she lifted slowly from the ground. Beneath her bruised skin, she could feel her body shifting as it tried steadily to right itself. Her lips pulled into a scowl as she wrapped her arm around her aching ribcage, the lining starting to repair itself ever so slowly. She hated skeletal injuries. They took longer to heal that surface damage like bleeding and lacerations. Without assistance it would take some time to correct the displacement.

Her violet head rose to watch her teammates as they closed in on their target. After hitting the wall, it fell flat on its stomach, its head bobbing slowly from side to side. Dazed and confused, it was primed for a finishing strike. Shifting her weapon, Alisa leapt into the as Sakuya fired beneath her, unbinding the cells on the exhausted creature's head. Ebony jaws tore into its damaged flesh as she descended, the blade driving into its neck and ripping out the core. Their target was down.

But none of the women were ready to celebrate just yet. They turned their attention to their injured teammate who surprisingly, was already on her feet. Her steps were uneven and from the way she was holding her side, Sakuya could tell that her ribs were damaged. Loading her recovery bullets, the medical gunner fired. The bullets struck the New Type, accelerating the healing process. As the pain ebbed away, Neo nodded gratefully at her Vice Commander, having turned her hour of restoration into a matter of minutes.

"You alight, Neo?"

Her blue eye drifted to her blonde friend, who was eyeing her with concern.

"Fine."

"…Are you sure?"

"Yes… Thank you."

Neo paused for a moment before answering, noticing the piercing gaze from her fellow New Type. She wasn't asking about her injury, she could tell. She was asking about a deeper, more serious problem, unseen to the other members of her team.

"It's really something…"

Their Vice Commander's voice gave them pause, turning their attention. Standing near the cliffside, Sakuya looked out over the ocean. Her wistful gaze was fixated on a large dome-like structure, the solution to humanity's extinction. The pair approached her, stopping by her side. Alisa nodded in affirmation as Neo watched the waves crash against the rock below.

"Aegis Island, the key to the project and mankind's last hope for survival. We could finally be safe there." Sakuya's voice sounded hopeful.

Alisa nodded her head in solemn agreement. They were so close she could almost reach out and touch it. They just needed more resources, more cores, more time. Then perhaps, they could finally rest. By her side, Neo's gaze had shifted, gazing intently at the covered dome…and a short distance away, their other remaining member had turned her focus as well. Her pale body radiated with a cerulean hue. Standing eerily still at the cliff's peak she looked almost ethereal.

"Shio… Are you all right? Shio!" Sakuya turned, her voice wavering with concern as she noticed the small child approaching the rock's edge.

"What is that?! Are you okay?!" Alisa startled, her attention shifting at the sound of her commander's panic-stricken voice. Looking upward, she saw the object of her concern. Shio was standing on the edge of the cliff looking over the horizon, her eyes fixed pointedly on Aegis Island.

"It's calling me…" Her voice sounded hollow, as though she were in a trance. "It's singing to me. Hungry… Must feed. Must Devour. Such wondrous food."

Countless questions rose in their minds as they watched the child gaze longingly towards what they hoped would be humanity's salvation. What was happening? When did Shio sneak off? What was she doing up there?

But all questions went unanswered as their young companion moved closer towards the edge. And their worry quickly turned to horror as their friend leapt from the cliff, plunging downwards to the waters below.

"Shio!"

Sakuya rushed forward, looking over the edge of the cliff. Her eyes swept the waves, searching for any sign of her pearly white skin. Beside her, Alisa moved to take action as well… but she paused when realized that her companion wasn't following.

"Come on, we have to go find… Neo?"

Her words fell softly on the wind as her friend stared forward. Her eyes were fixed on the covered dome, her attention focused solely on the distant island. Her unblinking gaze was unflinching even as Alisa carefully approached her. Something was very wrong.

"…Neo."

Increasing her volume, Alisa called her name again, growing concerned as she received no response. Neo didn't move a muscle at the sound of her voice, her eyes staring forward. It was as though the New Type hadn't heard her at all. Her lips pulled into a frown as she watched, uncertain of what to make of the situation before her.

It didn't take long for her their commotion to draw attention. Sakuya backed away from the cliffside, turning her eyes to the pair behind her. Her brows knitted together as her gaze fell to Neo, who stood unmoving. She gave no indication of sentience, her body rigid and still with no sign of changing… and when she finally did, their uncertainty quickly turned into panic.

Neo's feet slowly began to move as she took a single step forward. Then another, as she approached the edge of the cliff. In a similar fashion, they watched for the second time as their teammate made to leap to a watery grave.

But Alisa had no intention of losing two comrades on this day. Rushing forward, she grabbed Neo's hand, halting her progress and entrapping both of them as her mind left her.

She could see Ichiro's eyes, filled with sorrow and despair, as he described his mother's death.

She could feel her body trembling as she devoured an Aragami core.

She could feel the gripping clench of despair as guilt threatened to consume her very soul.

She could hear a voice… a loud, sinister voice calling out to her. It was beckoning her, urging her forward… begging for release.

"Alisa!"

"Wha…"

The New Type stumbled backwards, vigorously shaking her head as the fog lifted. In front of her, Neo turned around, her hand still clenched tightly within her own. The light had returned to her eyes… but her expression was dark. Her mouth pulled into a tight line as she looked over the two of them. When she spoke, the hollow ring in her voice made their hair stand on end.

"We'll find her."

"Huh? Neo -"

Alisa's words fell on deaf ears. She offered no words nor explanation as she turned on her heel and strode towards the damaged bridge. Sakuya stared after her retreating form looking dumbfounded. The New Type had been acting strangely for some time now, so she wasn't entirely surprised at her sudden change in demeanor. What bothered her was the unsettling feeling behind her gaze. A sense of overwhelming dread gripped her heart as she met Neo's eyes. What on earth had gotten into her?

. . .

Far East Branch Headquarters - Sakaki's Office

Following Shio's leap of faith, the remaining three members returned to give their report. Time was of the essence for every minute that Shio was gone was a greater chance that she wouldn't be found. In the office, Sakuya tried her best to explain the situation to a perplexed Sakaki. He could deduce from their recollection that the First Unit had lost their Aragami child yet again, although this time through no fault of their own. But that wasn't the source of his concern.

"Just to be sure, she plunged into the ocean and disappeared from sight, yes?"

"I'm so sorry, Doctor." Sakuya hung her head, ashamed at having lost their charge for the second time.

"No apologies. Your safety is most important. I'm glad to see you well." Sakaki's eyes drifted pointedly to the violet-haired woman sitting silently on his couch." You're positive on the location? North end of the derelict carrier, looking towards Aegis."

"Positive. The poor girl… what do you think happened? Is she gonna be okay?"

"I hope. But I can't say anything for sure now."

"Yes… Yes, of course… Thank you, Doctor. " Alisa nodded her head solemnly.

"Be prepared. I may call upon you to head up a search for young Shio. In the meantime, I'll keep you updated if I find anything. Please get some rest."

"Of course, doctor."

With a respectful nod, Sakuya took her leave. Her eyes fell over Neo for a brief moment as she walked by, eyeing her carefully. She still had no clarification for her recent episode nor could she shake the queasy feeling that something wasn't right. Their New Type had always been an erratic person, and her mood swings quite wild, but she had never seen her quite like this. She made a mental note to speak with her about it at her next opportunity.

Disappearing behind the door, she left Alisa to stare silently after her. After a few moments of watching the door, she shifted her eyes to her fellow New Type, still sitting rigidly on the couch. Her mind had returned to her at least, but she remained deep in thought, saying nothing throughout the entire conversation. She had been this way since leaving the Carrier and disturbed didn't even begin to describe her feeling… especially after what she had seen.

"Neo…"

"Save it."

Alisa balked slightly at her snappy response. She hadn't even given her the opportunity to start her question. Of course, Neo probably knew what she was going to ask. She just hadn't been prepared for her to shut her down so quickly. Deciding it best not to press her further in this state. Instead, she simply watched her as she slowly stood, turning her attention to the door. She had predicted that Neo would flee and made no move to stop her. Instead, she called after her, halting her movement.

"I stand by it. No matter what happens, you will have an ally in me."

Her friend didn't turn around nor did she respond… but she could tell from the way her shoulder's sagged what she was thinking. She could almost see the bitter smile on her lips and empty, hollowed look in her eyes. As she exited into the hallway, Alisa sighed. She was still listening. That was a good sign.

. . .

Neo stalked quietly down the hallway towards the lift. Night had fallen and there was no way that they were searching for Shio under the cover of night. But that didn't slow her resolve. She would find Shio. She had to find to Shio. She didn't have a choice. Her eyes fell to the ground as she walked, her face darkening in her solitude. Her mind continued to wander, as she fell victim once again to the voices in her dreams. It seemed that even now, in the land of the living, they haunted her.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone…

Leave -

Her thoughts shattered and the voice disappeared as she felt an unexpected pressure against her shoulder. With a violent hiss, she leapt backward, her fingers twitching readily for the incoming threat. Her teeth clenched as her eyes glowered forward, offering her fiercest glare to the two men standing in front of her.

"The hell's wrong with you?" The irritable voice of her childhood pen pal caught her attention, lowering her guard.

It figured that she would run into the two of them at a time like this. They were far from who she wanted to see, but they posed no threat to her. Soma and Ichiro stood before her, wearing irritated and worried expressions respectively. This was the first time that either one of them had seen her since the bedroom incident and her greeting hadn't been the most pleasant. Concerned, Ichiro let his arm fall as his eyes drifted over her form. What had her so paranoid?

"Whoa… Neo, are you alright?"

"Nothing. Fine."

Raising from her crouched position, she rose to her full height, which was considerably shorter than both of them, and fixed her gaze. While her threatening aura had ebbed away, her scowl did not and it didn't look like she had any intention of changing it. Attempting to maneuver around them, Neo made her way toward the elevator the pair had just exited. She was in no mood to socialize with either one of them… least of all her guardian. She didn't want to face him. She couldn't face him. Not after what she had done. She would avoid him as before, keeping a safe distance and sparing him her sinful presence.

But Ichiro was having none of it. Stepping to the side, he blocked her escape, leveling his own irritated gaze back at her.

"You're a nothing-fine liar. What the hell is going on with you?"

"I just told you."

"Neo -"

Growing impatient, Soma intervened. Having been interrupted from his rest to discover yet another team member missing had driven him over the edge. His patience was at its limit and while he was greatly concerned about the stubborn woman before them, he was also fed up.

"We don't have time for this." His voice came out as a low rumble, far harsher than he had intended.

Neo didn't recoil at his tone… but her expression darkened even further.

"Soma's right. We have to find Shio."

Neo practically spat out the words as she moved to pass them again, only to find her exit route cut off once more. She could feel her frustration resurfacing and her temper rising. Ichiro's however, was rising as well.

"And we will."

"Good. Then we have nothing more to discuss."

Using her small size to her advantage, she maneuvered around him and stormed towards the doors. Her irritation was reaching fever pitch as guilt and frustration washed over her like ocean waves. Her vision was beginning to fade. She had to get away from them. She had to keep them safe. She had to…

"Neo!"

Her exit was halted for a third time by a hand closed tightly around her wrist.

"Let it go."

"I can't do that."

"Why?"

"Worrying about you is literally my job."

"…Let go, Ichiro."

"Neo, please…"

"Now."

"I'm concerned that you might be -"

"Unhand me!"

Her rage-filled voice echoed through the hall as she whirled towards him, startling her guardian at the sheer intensity. Even Soma moved back a step, his concerns about their missing person temporarily forgotten. He had never heard Neo bellow in such a manner before, least of all at her most trusted companion.

But it wasn't the volume or ferocity that disturbed him… it was her presence. In that moment, something had shifted deep within her aura that he couldn't fully understand. Her expression was nearly murderous as she glared daggers at him. And in her eyes he saw only malice.

She didn't look or sound like herself. It was as though Neo had vanished in that instant, leaving something different in her place. Something dangerous. Something malevolent.

Ichiro noticed it too. Soma watched as his face scrolled through a myriad of different emotions. The first was surprise, obviously stunned that she would lash out so violently against him. The second was sadness that he assumed stemmed from her avoidance of him. The third was calm realization, followed closely by acceptance.

In that moment, he was happy that her guardian had stopped her. He wanted to know what was wrong with her too. And Soma was fully prepared to assist him should she turn violent. But then, Hamasaki surprised him… by letting her go.

His arm fell limply to his side as the New Type took off, vanishing down the stairwell, the lift forgotten. In her wake she left the two veterans, one flabbergasted, the other eerily silent. Soma hadn't the slightest clue what had transpired between them. Only that his teammate looked utterly defeated. But one thing was painfully clear.

Something was very wrong with Neo.