Chapter Three
Nothing but rubble. That was all that was left of NERV. The only thing around was litter, debris, and corpses of the people that Shinji had spoken to not too long ago. They'd never speak again. The hardest part for Shinji was finding Misato Katsuragi's dead body. He screamed in the most absolute horror and he embraced her cold body close to his own. He was crying again... but Asuka could feel sympathy for it. Even she shed a few tears for Misato. Shinji could hear Misato's last words in his mind.
"Now that was a grown-up kiss."
"We'll do the rest when you come back."
Shinji couldn't bear it... Misato was dead. His guardian was dead. He gently lay her body back down, caressing her cheek gently. He looked down at her for a moment more. "Rest in peace, Misato." he said sadly. There was a moment of silence, and Shinji rose to his feet once more. Asuka placed a hand on Shinji's shoulder to comfort him. "She took care of us, and now she's gone. I refuse to believe it... I can't believe it. I'd give anything just to have her back again. I wish I could take revenge for her." Shinji felt as if he were about to break down. Asuka gently rubbed his back. She knew it was rough for him. He was closer to Misato than she was. Shinji stood above Misato for a few more minutes, before he raised his head. "Come on, Asuka... we have to go." he said. He turned and walked away quickly, before he began to cry again. Asuka stuck close to him, comforting him with words as they quickly made their way through the destroyed headquarters. Shinji began to run, breaking away from Asuka. She tried so hard to keep up, but couldn't. She had never fully recovered from her injuries. Shinji collapsed just outside.
"Everyone's gone! They're all dead! All of our classmates, all of our teachers, all of our friends. Misato's gone, Father's gone, Ayanami's gone... they're all gone!" he screamed like a banshee and he pounded his fists into the ground repeatedly, until he saw bloody imprints. He finally stopped, then looked back to Asuka. "What can we do, Asuka? We're all alone! What can we do? We're not going to make it! We're not!" he shouted. "Shinji! Calm down. We can't just do nothing. We have to try to make a new life. We have to find other survivors. There has to be at least one!" she said. Shinji still shouted and screamed. He was hysterical. He was scared. "Oh Shinji, shut the hell up." Asuka yelled as she slapped Shinji across the face. He finally shut his yapping, and he just sat there, holding his cheek. "Snap out of it, Shinji. Stop acting like a spoiled little brat. Either you can sit here and die, or you can come with me. I'm not going to give up so easily." she said, and she stormed off in the area of central Tokyo 3, near the Train Station and shopping district. She was sure she'd find someone there. Shinji was quick to follow her. He didn't want to be alone. Asuka trampled onward, a smile on her face as she heard Shinji's footsteps behind her. She wanted him to come along. She didn't want to be alone either.
End Chapter Three