Chapter 67: Playgrounds
"I'm home," Asuka stated arriving back at her apartment. Hearing no one respond, she looked down at the floor. There still wasn't any shoes from the other two roommates.
"…" she said removing her heels. Getting them off, she picked them up and went to her room. Changing back to her home clothes, she went into the living room. The TV was turned off and the penguin was not there. Hearing a slight splash of water from the bathroom, the Second Child knew where Pen-Pen was and doing.
Heading toward the couch, she sat down and picked up the remote. Turning on the TV, she changed the channel from National Geographic to a cartoon show. Sitting Indian style, she grabbed a couch pillow. Holding onto it, she wondered when the two would get back. Several minutes passed by as the cartoon show kept her distracted enough from thinking about other things. Hearing a familiar sound of something unlocking, she turned her head to the entrance hallway.
"…" Asuka said hearing the front door open with heavy footsteps entering the apartment. The door closed followed by someone kicking shoes off then walking.
"Misato, is that you?" she asked squeezing the pillow a little more.
"Not quite, but she is here," Kaji said rounding the corner. The Second Child's mood turned around as she expressed a happy face.
"Kaji! What are you doing here?" she asked getting off the couch and going to where he was.
"Putting this friend to bed," he answered going toward Misato's room.
"…zzz…zzz…" the Major said on his back.
"It is rather late don't you think?" the female teen asked watching and following him.
"That it is," he agreed. He entered the hallway to both female's rooms and headed towards the Major's. Opening the door, he entered with the female pilot standing at the doorway. She watched him go to Misato's futon and lower her down.
"There we go," Kaji said putting Misato down and placing a blanket over her.
"…" the lavender haired female muttered then curled into a ball. She moved to face away from him. Smirking a little at her, he stood up.
"Maybe you should stay the night?" Asuka asked with her hands together behind her back. Watching him walk toward her, she backed up a little. Closing the door behind him, he gave a small smile.
"Appreciate the thought," the investigator said. He turned down the hallway and heading for the front door.
"But I would look silly going to work tomorrow in a suit."
"I wouldn't mind," the redhead stated following him. Reaching the front door, she watched Kaji put his shoes on. Once ready, he stood up and opened the front door. Stepping out, he turned to her and gave a tired smile.
"Take care of yourself and her Asuka. Night," he said before closing the door.
"Night," she said hearing the front door lock mechanism engaged.
Staring at it, her face slowly changed to a frown. She could smell the perfume that Misato was wearing on him. Turning around, she walked back to her guardian's room. Standing in front of it, she opened the door enough to see her. Staring down at the woman's balled up sleeping position, many thoughts were going through her head.
"…" the Second Child commented and narrowed her eyes. Ignoring what her thoughts were saying, she closed the door quietly. Walking away from the door, she headed back to the couch. Sitting back down, she brought her knees up. Placing the pillow between her thighs and chest, she hugged her thighs and rested her chin on the cushion.
"Kaji, you jerk," she said quietly and changed the channel.
Flipping through a couple, she stopped at a show that was a popular gossip topic at school. It featured the main character as a wealthy daughter in a kingdom. The current episode had a noble that the daughter was infatuated with. Always trying to find ways to address the other character's attention, nothing seemed to get to him. Despite all the attempts and failures, the daughter's butler supported her efforts. Asuka unconsciously held onto the pillow more looking at the butler intently.
"…" she said as she continued watching till sleep overtook her.
After walking a bit down and observing the stalls and people, The First Child thought that the male pilot's memory of everything was uncannily detailed. Not only that, the environment and surroundings felt realistic enough to forget that this was just a dream. Blinking, she remembered the small handbag hanging around her wrist. Looking inside, there were a couple of items as well as money.
"…" Rei said blinking then looking at the stalls around. Seeing one that served drinks, she walked over to it. Getting a bottle of iced tea, she paid the person behind it.
"My! That kimono looks lovely on you dear. Are you her by yourself or are you on a date with someone?" the elder attendant asked.
"…?" Ayanami responded in surprise. Blinking and realizing what the senior woman said to her, she felt embarrassed.
"T-Thank you…I am here by myself."
"Really? My goodness. I am surprised that some boy hasn't swoon on you already," the lady said smiling. "Be careful with the boys here my dear...they come in packs."
"I see," Ayanami said bowing. "Goodbye."
She saw the elder wave goodbye at her then she continued down the path. She didn't see when the lady opened her eyes, one of them was black and red. The First Child walked a bit before stopping to take a drink. Not thinking that the beverage would taste like anything, she tasted iced tea.
'This subconscious realm is…oddly real,' she thought staring at her drink before screwing the cap back on it.
Shaking off her thoughts, the vendor stands on the right side of the pathway ended. Looking at the open space, it was the first carnival ride she had seen up close. It was a merry-go-round. A few children were on it going around as the machine was sounding its music while spinning. Parents and people were standing around it watching as others were walking around it. Beyond the ride, there were three directions she could take.
Looking at the people around, all seemed to be having a fun time. Deciding to continue on the same direction and pathway, she walked pass the merry-go-round. Crossing over, the vendor stalls continued on the right side again. The volume of stuff and things to do in the carnival seemed to become more as she traveled further down the walkway. After walking what seemed like 10 minutes, the type of stalls changed.
Things from what they sold, what games were offered, activities done, and the color all shifted to a different theme. Remembering from the site board, she looked back to see that she missed the header. It stated a seasonal change to indicate the next section of the park. Walking a bit and looking around, she spotted someone sitting on a bench that looked familiar. Realizing who it was, she walked toward him with a neutral face. He was wearing the same clothes the last time she saw him. When in close proximity, he raised his head and stood up with a smile.
"Hey there Rei!" Shonj stated. "How have you been?"
"I have been well," she stated with a stoic expression and blinking. "How have you been?"
"I have been pretty good. Say…" he said walking around her. "That kimono looks really good on you."
"Thank you," Ayanami said without smiling.
"Did you come here by yourself?" he asked getting a nod from her.
"Wow. That's pretty impressive. I am surprised DI didn't get you or stop you."
"…?" Rei replied by tilting her head. "DI?"
"Yeah. Me and the others call him DI. He is the boogieman that haunts the entire carnival. But it only happens during a Red Moon," he said then pointed at the sky.
"We don't have to worry about him. It is a New Moon today."
"I see," she said looking up to the sky. Staring at the thin crescent moon in the sky, it looked ordinary. However, there seemed to be a faint red glow around it. The more she stared at it, the more unnerving it became. Her attention was diverted when Shonj took her hand.
"Hey come on. They got some killer takoyaki over there! Let's go get some," he said pulling her in tow.
"…" Rei said letting him pull her to the stand. Once there, he loosened his grip which she quickly pulled out from. Giving the attendant their order, they watched as the worker put on a small show in creating the small spherical dumplings. Getting their food, both went to a nearby bench. Sitting down, both tried what they got.
"Mmm-mmm! These are so good!" Shoji stated with a very pleased expression.
"They are…tasty," Ayanami said in surprise. She was still having a hard time of how her senses were responding to the environment around her. Her taste buds seemed to distinguish the flavors and ingredients put into the snack food.
"See I told you! Here try a regular," he said stabbing one with a toothpick and turning toward her. "Say ahh."
"…" she said staring at it. "It has fish in it, yes?"
"Well, technically octopus. It doesn't harm the flavor of it at all! Just adds to it."
"Thank you, but I don't like to eat anything with meat or fish."
"What? Really? You a vegan?" he asked seeing her nod.
"That is a bit of a shame," he said eating it. "You are missing out on a whole level of flavor and taste."
"That is suitable," the First Child said then looked in the other direction.
'I wonder if Ikari would be in another section of the park,' she thought. In viewing the background, she tried to remember if there was another section outside of the board site map see looked at.
"Whew. That was good," Shingi stated standing up. "Alright! Let's go have some fun! What do you say Rei?"
"…very well," she said getting up from the bench and throwing away the remaining snack food.
"Wow, your enthusiasm could motivate an army to battle," he said with a smirk. His expression dropped a little as hers remained the same neutral stoic face. Not even a comeback or sarcastic remark.
'Grrr, what is wrong with her? She seems more uncooperative than the last time in this realm…wait…I know! Maybe I can just retrace the places we went like in the previous time. That should ease up the mood!' he thought.
"Say Rei, let's go over—huh?" Shonj stated when he heard her footsteps go in the opposite direction.
Turning toward where she was going, it seemed like something at a stand attracted her. Hurrying up to follow, the blue haired teen stopped in front of watch vendor. From what he could see, all of the watches seemed like knock-offs of major brands and luxury ones. The seller was an older gentleman about their height in an orange jumpsuit. He smiled at the female teen.
"Hello again my dear. What can I do for you today?"
"…?" Ayanami stated blinking at the attendant. She thought he seemed familiar but couldn't remember where from.
"…hello…" she said with a nod then picked up a watch with a dark magenta face. "I am interested in this. How much?"
"That one?" he stated with a small smile and pointed at the price sign. "It is for this amount."
"I see," she stated and gathered the amount in her handbag. "Here is the amount."
"Thank you my dear. By the way young one," the elder man stated the small smile on his face. "How is the boy with the orange face version?"
"…" Ayanami answered holding onto the watch. Blinking and recalling what he said, she looked at the seller. A memory of an elevator came to mind making her eyes widen a little.
"Hey Rei, what did you buy?" Shonj stated getting next to her. "Hmm? A watch?"
"Yes…excuse me," she said then addressed the elder man. "Do you know the person you asked about?"
"Why yes. We have conducted business as well as finishing each other's thoughts," the older man with gray hair stated still smiling at her. Oddly, he moved only his eyes to the person standing next to her.
"Greetings again young lad."
"Hey there Gramps," the teen boy stated with a confident smile.
"…" Ayanami said watching the old man's actions and reactions with intensity.
"Can I interest you in my wares charlatan?" he asked. It caused the female pilot to blink and look at the blue-eyed Ikari with her eyes only.
"Charlatan? No, it's Shonj."
"Of course. My mistake sonny."
"I have a watch already gramps," he said holding out his phone. "So, not today."
"I guess not," the elder man said seeing the blue-hair teen silently walking away in his peripheral vision. A smirk registered on his face and engaged with the male teen a bit more. After a brief amount of time, both said parting words in which Shonj turned around.
'What the? Where did she go? She was right next to me when I was talking with-' he thought then turned to the tenant of the stall.
"Hey old-timer. Which way did my girl go?" he said narrowing his eyes at him.
"Hmm? I saw her go that way," he said with a small chuckle then coughing.
"What's so funny?"
"She is trying to find the one with eyes that match the color face of the watch she bought."
"Finding the one with the same color?" Shonj repeated confused. Suddenly, a light bulb in his head went off. "Oh no…damn it!"
The man in the orange jumpsuit gave a small smile watching the teen run off in the direction that the First Child went. He sat back down on his stool and contemplated how he ended up in this dream again. Hearing something behind him, he looked behind to recoil seeing another clone of the teen boy. It was all black and gave an impression that its skin was moving on its own. Giggling at him with malice, it fading out of existence.
In the middle of the abandon amusement park, Shinji and Rana walked pass several stands that were mostly empty and decaying. Both saw many insects and rodents running around and in them. All the creatures seemed to be in a frenzy as they were fighting one another. Some of the packs would go after one another with killing intent. Rana stepped a little closer to him as they continued walking and avoiding the killjoy and carcasses around them.
"Did all these bugs and rodents do the same thing back then?"
"From what I can recall, there were a few engaging that activity; however, I do not remember seeing this many," he replied calmly. Both continued to walk when there was a moan from one of the stalls. Looking toward it, a ghoul-like man was staring at them.
"GuEsTs…CoMe…HeRe," it said slowly and motioning both to come to him. Rana was about to whisper about avoiding the person when the male pilot walked forward. She caught up with him as they were heading toward the ghoul. Each held an unreadable expression when they stopped some feet away from the individual's stand. The undead person's eyes were red and black making her tense.
"Hello sir. Who are you?"
"An…AtTeNdAnT…fOr…RiDe," it answered with a slow blink and a low drone voice.
"What kind of ride?" Rana asked quietly and steeling herself.
"SoUl…EaTeR…I…cOnSuMe…NoW," the dead man said and started crawling out of the stand he was in.
Both teens didn't move and just blinked. When the ghoul was outside and standing, it blinked slowly. Strangely, it saw no fear on their faces as they looked back with the same unreadable expressions. Paying it no heed, it lunged at the girl. Both side stepped out of the way and tripped him.
Grunting after hitting the ground, it slowly got onto its knees when a severe blow to the back of the head came. Falling to the ground again, a gash appeared on the backside of its noggin. Blood slowly oozed out from the open wound. Slowly getting up again, the ghoul looked around to see both not standing near him. Growling from pain and irritation of no soul food, it turned around to see a shadow figure. As soon as it saw it, the figure disappeared into the shadow.
"Who is he exactly?" Rana whispered. Both she and the Third Child were hiding behind a rotting out ice cream kiosk. They were watching the ghoul through the stand's holes that were rotting with insects.
"…" he said blinking and narrowing his eyes. There was a memory but it was different from what was happening.
"Not someone I know, but it was in the park."
"Was it a homeless addict or something?"
"…no…" he said and slowly stood up. Despite Rana grabbing his sleeve, both came out of hiding. The ghoul saw something in his vision and saw the two. Feeling its brain and hunger burning, it lethargically ran toward them.
"It was a scarecrow-" Shinji said then was interrupted by the ground shaking violently.
As the turned person ran toward them, the earth ahead of it parted a bit. Both watched the creature get impaled from a large wooden spike shooting up from the ground. The large stake entered between its legs and pierced through its head. As blood was flowing out of the agonizing being, a perpendicular spike thrust out from the creature's torso. The ghoul's arms rose up and extend out from its sides as both ends of the spike pierced out of the dead person's writs.
Rusted chains snaked out from the opening in the ground and started going around the main spike. Once it reached the ghoul's legs, it began to wrap around it. After the chains passed the being's hands, the ends of it morphed into spikes. They shoved through the dead man's hands and feet. Becoming crucified, blood continuously flowed out from all the penetrated places as it slowly stopped struggling.
"-the last time I was here," the male pilot finished. He then looked to his right to find Rana standing beside him still tense.
"Something troubling you?"
"Yes, but I can't explain it," she stated then lightly grabbed his sleeve. "Was this a courtyard?"
"…I believe so. There were a couple of stages left still standing," he responded. Walking forward, she followed in step with him.
"I see a stage over there," Rana pointed. "Did you do anything there?"
"I…danced a little," the male pilot said stoically.
"Really?!" she asked a little excited. "Show me, show me. Please?"
"…" he said still feeling odd that none of the other voices were saying anything.
Blinking and looking at her, he slowly nodded his head unsure. The female voice smiled and pulled his arm. Crossing the courtyard to get to the stage, they saw that the platform had partially corroded away. Wood planks were exposed with mold and cracks. Decorative material had discolored and rotted away. The closer they got to it, a morbid and sinister vibe radiated from it. The sensation caused Rana to slow down and lose her smile. Both stood in front of it as they heard faint moans and sloshing sounds coming from the stage.
"I guess we can't go there with those sounds. Probably better to-!" she said then was startled. Shinji gently grabbed her wrist and lightly pulled her to the stairs.
Getting to the stage area, they heard the moans and sloshing movements become louder. The back end of the stage had blood stained and ripped curtains. There were holes in them; however, they couldn't see anything through them. Only darkness could be seen. Despite not able to see behind the curtains, there were shuffling footsteps along with moans and groins emitting from it.
Rana heard the sloshing sounds again and saw that blobs of gray matter were coming over the sides of the stage. Looking at him, he slowly moved his eyes only to look at her. The eeriness of the stage, the creatures, and Shinji's behavior made her bite her tongue in worry.
"Miss Rana?"
"Y-Yes?" she stated then heard a low rumble movement and speakers turning on. The sound of the needle touching a record player came as it started playing a waltz. Disordered melodies and harsh sounds came in and out as if the record had been warped and chipped intentionally.
"…may I have this dance?" he said turning toward her with a stoic expression.
"…" Rana said looking at him and blinking.
Nodding her head and turning toward him, both assumed dancing positions. Out of the corner of her eye, movement was seen on the stage floor and curtains. Ghouls were passing through the curtains and many globs of gray matter were slowly sloshing over the sides of the platform. Both creatures were heading toward their direction. Looking back at him, his gaze hadn't changed. No fear or uneasiness registered on his face.
As the ghouls and gray matters continued converging toward them, they began to dance. As soon as they landed their first step, the stage floor suddenly changed into a bloodbath. Each dance step felt like they were stepping on rotten flesh as decaying matter scented the air. The ghouls and blobs continued toward them when cat size maggots pushed themselves out of the flesh floor. They started slinking toward the dead humans and gray matter. Once in contact, the maggots started eating them as both tried fending them off. Sounds of squishes and sloshes mixed with the moans and wet crunch noises made the dance vile and morbid.
"…" she said feeling pale and wanting to hurl badly as she continued to waltz with him.
"…" he said with a stoic face and led her across the stage to where the curtains were.
Both avoided becoming a casualty from the slaughter, but they were sprayed and splashed with blood. Passing through the curtains, Rana let go of him. Turning around, she hurled onto the floor. Shinji quickly grabbed hold of her so that she didn't drop to the ground. Looking around the stage, there were many grotesque acts being conducted by the three types of creatures. All of them seemed to commence their acts more when a familiar voice giggled was heard from the loud speakers. Once he felt that she was done, he moved a hand to cover her eyes.
"Shinji! W-what are you doing?" she asked in surprise.
"You will likely repeat if you look down," he stated calmly leading her deeper to the back of the stage.
Looking back, goosebumps littered his body. A basketball sized maggot insert its eggs inside of a ghoul's open chest while eating its face. Where Rana expounded her stomach fluids was on top of the enlarged larva. Telling her that there were steps going down, both descended. Reaching the exit door, he let go of her and uncovered her eyes. Opening it, both exited.
"Rei! Rei!" Shonj shouted running passed the line of stalls.
'Damn it all, where did she go?' he thought irritated. He ran past someone with a pale blue kimono and face mask. Hitting the brakes, he turned toward the person to find she was walking in the opposite direction with long black hair. Clicking his teeth, he continued in the opposite direction. When he was out of sight, Rei removed the mask and wig.
"…" she said looking back with a stoic expression.
Ayanami continued walking where she was going. Observing and exploring the current section of the carnival, it had the look of winter. Everything had a theme color of white and blue. Even the tenants of stands were dressed in light weight winter clothing. A couple of the stalls personnel asked her if she was a carnival worker. Shaking her head, they explained that she looked like a yuki-onna.
'A snow witch?' she thought continuing to walk down a main walkway.
Reaching stairs, they descended down to a small field that had many activities going on. The area below was covered in white with many people moving around. Deciding to go down, she felt the temperature was slowly getting colder. Once the stairs stopped, she looked down to see snow. Reaching down to touch it, it felt cold in her hand.
"…?" she said tilting her head looking at the frozen flakes of water in her hand.
A cold breeze came that made her stand up and blink. Walking away from the stairs, she saw many people playing in the snow. A mixture of both participants and staff occupied a majority of the small field. As she walked, various areas of field felt dreadful and grave. Stopping at one spot, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on in.
'I do not see anything,' she thought scanning around. Only children and adults playing were seen around her. All the sudden, the cold breeze became freezing as if she just walked into a freezer. Holding her arms and shivering, a strong sense of dread washed over her causing cold sweat to develop on her back.
"S…I…S…T…E…R…?" a shallow feminine voice came from behind.
Slowly looking behind her, a pale blue woman stood behind her. Wearing a kimono as well, the female had icy blue irises and black sclera. Its black hair was wet and went down to its knees. The person's breath could be seen as it formed white clouds of mist that quickly turned to snow. Forcing her hands to go at her side, Rei faced the woman.
"I am not your sister."
"N…O…T…S…I…S…T…E…R…B…U…T…F…A…M…I…L…A…R" it said tilting its head and levitating. It slowly started hovering around her in a circle.
"Familiar?" the blue haired teen asked tilting her head a little.
"Y…O…U…S…E…E…K…A…L…O…S…T…O…N…E," the pale blue woman said hovering toward her after doing a complete circle around the teen.
"Rei! Hey Rei!" a familiar voice shouted from the top of the stairs. The snow woman stopped in front of her and looked with her eyes to the teen boy coming down the steps. It looked back at Rei and gave a small smile at her.
"S…I…S…T…E…R…H…E…I…S…O…F…I…N…T…E…R…E…S…T…I…W…A…N…T" she stated with her hair starting to float by itself.
"…" Ayanami stated. The coldness from the being dropped even more making it hard to breathe. The cold sweat from her back had turned to ice and stuck to her skin. Wincing in pain, she covered her mouth and took a deep breath to not freeze her lungs and fingers.
"If…you…want…you…may…take," the First Child whispered. The freezing environment suddenly became less intense. Blinking and looking at the snow woman, her eyes widened to see a clone of herself. However, the difference was that it kept the icy blue eyes.
"THANK…YOU…SISTER," the clone said mimicking Ayanami's voice.
Before Rei could react, the snow woman lifted her hand toward her and blasted a harsh gust of wind. The female pilot was blown off her feet as she landed several yards away and slid on the snow. A couple of children and adults saw what happened and rushed over to the fallen teen. Seeing her eyes closed and shivering, the adults immediately picked her up. A staffer rushed ahead to the medical tent.
Inside the tent, Rei was placed down on a soft table that was very warm. After feeling herself slowly stop shaking, she felt herself relaxing. Opening up her eyes slowly, she remembered who was next to her and who was coming down the stairs. Looking around in a small panic, there was a nurse nearby who put a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" the nurse asked looking at her with a small smile. "You took a nasty fall playing in the snow."
"I fell?" she asked feeling perplexed. The frozen sweat on her back had melted and dampened her kimono a little. It made her feel less edgy.
"Yes. A bunch of children were pointing at you saying yuki-onna. Then all the sudden, a strong gust of wind knocked you off your feet. People nearby said you were floating like a ghost before hitting the ground."
"…I see…" Rei stated looking back at the tent ceiling. "There was no one next to me then?"
"I am afraid not or people didn't see another person near you. Was there another person with you?"
"No. There wasn't."
"Okay. Just rest here for a little bit before continuing."
Nodding her head, Ayanami continued to lie down. Listening to the sounds around her, she could still hear the children and adults playing. The sounds of the breeze came and died down. All the sudden, she could hear Shonj's voice call her name. However, he stated it that if she were out there.
"…" she said looking over at the tent door being open.
Her eyes widen seeing the snow woman, disguised as her, look at Shonj run toward her. Stopping in front of her, he talked at her. Shivering all the sudden, the doppelganger embraced him which startled him. He then slowly embraced the snow woman placing his right hand on the back of her head. Rei blinked then saw something that caused her eyes to widen in fear.
"Rei!" Shonji said after ripping the snow woman's head off with his right hand. Dropping the head in the snow, crimson coated and froze in place around the dead person. The surrounding people did not notice what happened as they continued playing.
"Hey Rei! Where are you?" he called out again not caring about his blood spotted attire.
"…!?" Ayanami said breathing a little faster. Getting up slowly and gathering her handbag, she checked out with the nurse that let her go. Looking out of the tent opening, Shonj was still in the snow field looking around. All the sudden, he turned toward the tent and started jogging.
'…no…' she thought moving back into the tent.
Seeing that the nurse was tending another patient, she silently walked to the back of the tent. Looking for a place to hide, there was nothing other than small cabinets and warming tables. Feeling trapped, she turned to the tent opening and slowly walked backwards. Crunched gravel was heard from the entrance followed by someone slowing down from a jog. Glaring at the opening and feeling tense, she continued backing up until she tripped.
'I wonder if she came in here,' the teen boy thought. He entered the tent in which the staff member turned to him.
"Oh, hello there. Are you in need of assistance?" the nurse asked walking toward him.
"Hi. No, I am fine. I'm looking for my girl and wondered if she came through here."
"I have seen many faces so I might not remember a face."
"You couldn't have missed her if you saw her. Blue hair and red eyes. Looks like a snow witch."
"Oh, yes. She was in here earlier from slipping on snow, but she left just a bit ago."
"What? Really!? Which way?" Shonj asked seeing the nurse pointed in a direction opposite of where the female pilot was.
"…?" Rei said looking straight up at the black sky. Blinking several times and feeling cold again, she slowly sat up. In front of her was the tent she was just in. However, there was no opening or hole from when she tripped through it.
'…I don't understand…' she thought standing up very confused.
"Bah-ah-ah-ah," a goat stated relatively close by. Turning around, she saw that it was in a fenced in area and forging on some grass in the snow.
"…" the First Child commented staring at the goat with a stoic expression and blinking. It looked back at her while continuing to chew.
"BAH-HA-HAHAHA!" the animal laughed spontaneously with red-black eyes bulging out of its sockets. Its mouth stretched wide open immediately to cackle. The female pilot blinked startled.
"Bah-ah-ah," the goat said before going back to forging.
"…!?" Rei said holding her breath and slowly walked backwards. Turning around and seeing stairs up ahead going upward, she briskly walked toward them and climbed them.