Chapter 6: Here I Am

Chapter 6:
Here I Am

 

MARI HAD FOLLOWED Asuka and Six to Shinji’s school, but she was pushed back by the invisible membrane at its gates. She wasn’t among those who would take part in Shinji’s idyllic dreamworld.

Little Mari was the pilot of the U.S. Eva Wolfpack, which had been destroyed when it consumed an excess amount of life-form data. She was now sulking her way home, one hand holding Azuchi’s leash, the other holding the hand of a female security officer. They were close to the LRT station when she suddenly stopped.

“Mari?” the officer asked, thinking perhaps that the girl had yet to give up on going to school.

Azuchi, too, looked at Mari. Then the dog jumped back and began barking in surprise.

Mari’s eyes were wide open, her pupils strangely dilated as she stared into the distance. She turned to the southeastern sky and started howling.