Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Where Darkness Falls ❯ Amber's Smile ( Chapter 13 )

I came by Aaron's house today. He was really mad that I came there in the day, but I hadn't heard anything from him in four days - I couldn't help it! I thought he was going to hit me but… but instead we… well, you know. After we were done, he told me that he wanted to see me tonight, and to make sure no one sees me leave the house - and to bring the ring with me. But I can't find it! I know it's around here somewhere. Iknow Ihad it when I was watching TV with Dad last night, because I was playing with it while we watchedAmerican Runner. Oh well, I'll find it before I leave, I guess, and I'm sure Aaron won't mind if I don't bring it tonight.

There's always tomorrow, right?

There were no more entries in the journal.

"There's always tomorrow," Misato whispered, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the ring the girl had so casually ignored. "Not always, Amber… not always."

She set the journal down with great care, sadness constricting her throat as she slowly slipped the ring onto her littlest finger. Glancing around the room, her eyes fell on something she had not seen before - a small, Mickey Mouse shaped TV with a DVD player sitting on top, located just inside the girl's closet. Both were plugged in, and much to Misato's surprise, came right on when she pushed the Power button.

"Another message, Amber?" Misato whispered to herself.

Kneeling in front of the small screen, she hit Play.

Headlights illuminated a park bench at night, the faint glare of light on glass clearly displaying that the view was taken from a police cruiser's surveillance camera. Amber Donnellyand Aaron Fletcher moved into the frame and sat down on the bench, Amber's right hand settling tentatively on Fletcher's knee as she offered him a hesitant smile. The couple leaned in, kissing deeply for several moments before Fletcher pulled back and whispered something into Amber's ear.

"You sure, Aaron?" asked Amber nervously, her voice sounding tinny and far away.

Fletcher nodded. "It'll be okay," he said, rising to his feet and shrugging as he started to walk away, "but…If you don't want to,I'll understand"

"Wait!"

Facing the camera, Fletcher's broad smile was clearly visible as Amber gave a reply too soft for the camera's mic to pick up. The camera showed the big man turn and scoop the girl into his arms, lifting her effortlessly into the air and carrying her off screen. There was no more visual data, but it did not take a genius to figure out what was happening. First there was the sound of a car door opening, then closing, followed by the soft rustling of fabric, several inarticulate gasps, grunts, and whimpers, and finally… a softly moaned `Oh Aaron…!'

And then… silence as the image on the screen froze.

Misato pushed Eject with a shaking finger, wishing she could forget the note of pain-tainted ecstasy in the girl's final cry… but instead of opening, the DVD player whirred, and another image sprang into existence on the screen.

Thefront of Brookhaven Hospital could be seen through the front of the police cruiser's windshield. It was late at night again, and Fletcher looked agitated as he looked up and down the deserted streets before turning to Amber and slapping her across the face.

"Don't say a word," he warned, shaking with rage as the girl quickly nodded, her eyes wide with fear.

Out of the darkness, moving like a slinking, skulking stray dog came a man in a black suit and dark glasses. "You Fletcher?" the man asked in smooth, slightly accented English, his eyes darting everywhere behind his sunglasses.

"Yeah, I-"

"Nakamura," the man cut in, "Section Two."

"Pleased to meet you," Fletcher said, sounding wholly unconvincing.

"How much has this girl seen and why have you given her the code?"Nakamura demanded.

"Safe keeping you moron!" snapped Fletcher."You just worry about your end of the deal - and watch your damn mouth… loose lips sink ships, or don't they teach you Japs that in grade school?"

"Aaron what's going on?" Amberasked timidly, shrinking back as men both rounded on her.

"Give me the ring," Fletcher said hotly, "now, you little bitch - I don't have time to play your fucking games!"

Amber looked absolutely crushed. "Aaron, I… I don't have it! I told you I-"

"I said now!"

Nakamura smiled thinly as the big man slapped the girla second time. "Misplaced it, have you?" He drawled. "Well, the Commander won't be pleased. Best be sure you find it, Fletcher-san… ne?"

"Screw you," Fletcher snarled. "I'll have his damn package for him when he gets here - now get the fuck out of my face! …I've gotta take care of something."

Nakamura gave a shallow bow. "Of course," he said silkily, turning on his heel and striding off into the night.

Amber bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Aaron," she said brokenly, "I'll go home and find it, I swear! Just… Aaron… don't look at me like that… ok? Please…?"

Fletcher turned away from the camera, stepping between it and Amber, his huge frame entirely blocking the girl from view. Slowly, his massive hands came up, disappearing from the camera's line of sight.

He said nothing.

"Aa-aron… you're… you're hurting me! Aar-ERK!!"

From the camera's angle, Amber's feet could be seen swinging desperately from side to side several inches off the ground as harsh rasping sounds filled the air. Her small, still-childish fingers scrabbled for purchase on Fletcher's heavily muscled biceps, moving all over his arms and shoulders before clutching uselessly at his face.

After several minutes, the sounds grew weaker and weaker… and finally, the frantically dancing fingers slowed, then stopped, falling away as a last, rattling sob echoed through the night. Silence stole over the scene, broken only by a soft dripping sound as a trickle of urine ran down the girl's right leg and pattered onto the concrete.

As the camera stopped recording, a face could be seen peering through the bushes on the far side of the frame. Frozen in slack-jawed, horrified fascination… Shinji Ikari stared at the gruesome tableau before him, his already-haunted eyes now absolutely glazed with disgust, sorrow, weariness, and just the faintest hint… of understanding.

Numb, Misato sat and stared at the image, her head spinning with shock and pain at what she had just witnessed. God in Heaven, she thought faintly, pulling the ring off her finger and examining it closely, you died for this. You thought you had found love… but all you'd found was a sick, twisted man who's only interest was to hide this stupid bauble somewhere no one could find it. She swallowed with some difficulty, squinting as she noticed a faintly visible string of letters and numbers etched into the ring's tiny band.

"All for this…"

It must have been Fletcher's car, she realized, that had run the Commander off the road. Probably driven by Nakamura… though what the two were hoping to gain from the man's death, she was not positive.

Probably thought they could get the money without having to live up to their half of the deal, she reasoned, Nakamura certainly seemed the type - I knew him back in Tokyo-3. God… Tokyo-3. Even with the angels, that place is ten times - no, a HUNDRED times better than this nightmare.

Misato ran a hand through her hair. "Amber," she whispered, "I couldn't save you… but if it's any consolation, I DID avenge you. I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to know you before… before this place. You didn't deserve this… you were a good girl."

There's nothing more I can offer right now, Misato told herself, slipping the ring back on to her finger and rising to her feet as the TV suddenly went dark. Shinji… Ritsuko… Maya… they're still alive, and we're leaving here together, damn it!

She thought back to the day she met Shinji, and the time they had subsequently spent together. How many mistakes did she make? Not allowing Shinji to grow up, reprimanding him without any real justification, having Asuka move in, the indifferent attitude she developed, her inaction to the whole situation and the fact she barely took her responsibilities as a guardian seriously… so many errors in judgement - and she had thought it would be so easy to care for him.

Misato sighed. It is not easy knowing that you could have made a difference. If she had actually been clearer with Shinji about her feelings and actually been more responsible, she knew - without question - that the outcome would have been different. Misato was hardly a mother, but wasn't that what she was trying to set herself up as? Just how much misery did she cause with her selfishness and irresponsibility?

The woman shook her head and decided then and there that the very second she found Shinji she was going to tell him how she felt and that she was sorry about not being open with him. Then she would apologize for all the suffering she had caused him in the name of revenge, and get down on her knees and BEG him to forgive her.

And if he says yes, Misato thought, turning away from the TV and heading out of the room, maybe I'll even try to get to know Rei. I've never made much of an attempt to be anything more than a co-worker… maybe all she needs is a friend. And Asuka… She paused, taking a deep breath as she gently closed Amber's door, If she wakes up - WHEN she wakes up, I mean - I'll give her the choice of living with us or finding her own place. If she says no… well… I guess I can live with that, but no matter what she chooses, she's getting an apology too.

"It's time to change," she whispered firmly, heading off down the hallway, "No matter what, I won't hurt any of them any more."

This, she realized, was all because of her irresponsibility and blatant disregard for what other people wanted. She kept on telling them what she THOUGHT they should want instead of trying to find out their hopes and dreams. All this time, she had put up so many walls to keep herself from being hurt… and yet, how much hurt had she caused as a result?

Yes, she decided, opening the door at the end of the hallway to find yet another stairway, it was definitely time for all this to stop…

**

Misato crept carefully into the huge, dark room she had found at the bottom of the stairs. Her rifle was clutched firmly in her hands, and her eyes darted everywhere, trying to cover all the angles. She moved cautiously, because she was positive that she had heard raised voices through the thick, metal door… but she could not see anything in the darkness.

Place is like a freezer, she thought, shivering slightly as she glanced around at the tall poles running from the floor to the ceiling. What is something like this doing here? Oh wait… I guess that's a stupid question, isn't it? I mean… I'm in HELL, right? Why should anything be normal?

She glanced at the far side of the room, where a row of what looked suspiciously like the types of doors one might find in a morgue dominated the entire wall.

Super, she thought darkly, wishing the poles did not block QUITE so much of her line of sight.

Stepping around one of the beams, she caught her breath. "Ritsuko…?"

The blonde was lying on her back in the centre of the room, her shotgun several feet away from her limp, open hand. The middle of her forehead was red and swollen, as if something large had slammed into it - possibly more than once.

There was no one else in sight.

"Ritsuko!"

Hurrying forward, intent on her friend, Misato never saw the blow coming.

"Raaahhh!!!"

"Hunh!"

Something big and heavy hammered into Misato's side, numbing her right arm and sending the rifle to the floor in a clatter of metal on concrete.

"Your ass is mine, you fucking SLUT!!"

Misato cried out in pain as her back slammed into one of the support beams, the momentum of the charge knocking all the breath from her as a triumphant howl rang out in the big room.

"Yeah! Fucking hurts doesn't it!" a man's voice shouted with glee, "Well getting a shotgun blast in the chest ain't no goddamned walk in the park either - but I learned my lesson. I'm not taking anymore chances with you. Say goodnight."

Dazed, disoriented, and in terrible pain, Misato could only think of one thing.

Escape.

Without thinking, she dropped to the floor and rolled to her left, a huge boom echoing over her head as something solid banged into the pole precisely where her head had been a moment before.

"You're not going ANYWHERE!" the man (Fletcher! It's FLETCHER!!) roared. "Payback's a bitch, and she wants to give you a guided tour of painville - population: you!"

Misato scrambled to her feet and staggered behind one of the poles as another boom dominated the room. "F-fucker," she gasped, "you killed her - you killed that poor little girl!!"

"Shit happens," Fletcher shot back, clicking off another round with his Python, "stupid little whore should have brought the damn ring - then none of this would have happened!"

"She trusted you," Misato shouted, diving to the next closest pole in an attempt to get closer to Ritusko's prone form. "She LOVED YOU!!"

The reply made her blood run cold.

"Her mistake." There was a moment of quiet, then Fletcher whispered, "She should have just brought me the stupid ring… it didn't have to be this way."

Misato eased her handgun from its holster. "You actually cared for her," she said softly, risking a glance around the pole - and nearly losing her head as a bullet crashed into the beam.

"Yeah, she was a good kid," Fletcher agreed, "but my family is what I'm in this for. We had some fun… I taught her a few things - that was it. This was always about Charlie…" abruptly, his voice took on a softer tone, "God he loved her. He would always ask `when's Amber coming to-` you know what? Just shut up and die! This is none of your fucking business anyway!"

Misato flinched as two more rounds slammed into the beam. She knew telling Fletcher that she had seen Amber was pointless… he wouldn't believe her, and even if he did, it wouldn't matter. In his eyes, Amber was dead. Period.

And if he had his way, Misato would be joining her soon.

"I have the ring!" she shouted, hoping Fletcher did not decide to finish Ritsuko while she was defenceless. "I'll give it to you if you-"

"How about I just pry it off your dead finger?"

Misato gasped as Fletcher's voice whispered less than a foot from her ear. She dove forward, crying out in pain as the man reached out to grab her, catching a handful of her long hair and yanking it out by the roots.

"Ooo a souvenir," Fletcher laughed, striding after the woman as she staggered and fell. "You know, for all the shit you've put me through, I should make this hurt - a lot. But I'm tired, so I'll just blow your fucking brains ok, alright? Alright."

Misato whipped her gun around and fired… but Fletcher was too close. His right hand shot out, slapping the weapon away as the hammer fell.

"A for effort!" the man said, grinning wickedly, "I like your spirit."

"GUHH!!"

Misato grunted, the pistol flying from her hand as Fletcher's fist pounded into her abdomen. Stars flashed in front of her eyes and she fell back, her head rebounding off one of the metal doors on the wall. N…no… she thought, her hazy mind filling with fear as Fletcher dropped his gun and wrapped his huge hands around her throat, lifting her from the floor. A-Amber… I guess… I guess I didn't avenge you… a-after all…

"Now that's more like it," Fletcher sighed, tightening his hold on Misato's throat as the woman choked and tried to lash out at him. "That's right," he whispered, the madness in his eyes now unmistakable as he leaned in close to the woman, "give me all you got… try to get that air going. Not working, is it? Man, it must suck to die this way… all those things you didn't get done… all those plans you'll never see through to completion… all those people you're letting down - like your friend over there." Misato's eyes widened and she redoubled her efforts as Fletcher laughed. "Now, I'm not usually into forcing women into shit, you know? I usually figure, hey, if they want something, they'll ask for it… like Amber, actually, but your friend over there is looking mighty tempting, Major - you ARE a major, right? Well Major, I think I might have a little fun with her before I snap her pretty little neck - what do you think of that?"

Misato was beyond hearing. No more, she thought dimly, wondering who was making those horrible choking sounds, I won't let you hurt me, or anyone any MORE!! Do you understand!?! Amber, if you can hear me… this is the most I can do for you…

Fletcher grunted as Misato's hand shot out and grabbed the handle on the small door to their right, yanking it open and slamming it into the side of his head. "Heh," he chuckled, blinking as a trickle of blood ran into his eye, "nice try…"

Keeping her throat tightly in one hand, Fletcher grabbed her arm and slammed it against the metal door, grinning as the woman let out a mewling whimper.

"Now wha-"

With the last of her strength, Misato pistoned her left hand forward and drove her cross pendant into Fletcher's eye.

"AHHH!!!" Fletcher howled with rage, clutching his face with both hands and letting Misato slip to the floor. "My eye!!" he screamed, "You put out my fucking EYE!!!"

Misato, lacking the strength to stand, started to crawl towards her gun. Just… a little… further… she thought, coughing harshly as she drew deep, sweet lungfuls of air.

"I don't THINK SO!!"

Pain exploded in her back as Fletcher's boot came crashing down on her spine.

"Die!" the man hollered. "Die! DIE! DIEDIEDIEDIEDIE!!!"

Again and again, the boot came down, battering Misato's back, thighs, shoulders and buttocks, somehow finding her no matter how she tried to roll or crawl away. Then, her movement was brought to a halt as Fletcher's boot settled against the back of her neck.

For a long moment, only the sound of their ragged, harsh breathing could be heard… until Fletcher grated, "Enjoy Hell."

Misato groaned desperately as the boot was lifted, knowing that the killing blow was less than a second away… but she did not apologize any more. I gave it all I had, you guys, she thought, closing her eyes and picturing her friends with a tired smile, I really… really did. You believe me, don't y-

A terrible screeching sound pierced the air, rattling the entire room.

"What the… NO!! NO GET OFF ME!!!"

Misato opened her eyes, lifting her battered head as Fletcher began screaming.

"GET THE FUCK OFF MEEEEE!!!"

From one of the little doors in the wall… a mass of dull gray, leathery arms was sprouting like a tenacious weed, writhing all over as they blindly sought sustenance. Two of them, Misato noticed belatedly, had wrapped around Fletcher's waist, and were slowly pulling him towards the dark opening.

"Get off me!" Fletcher roared, pulling ineffectually at the arms. "Get the fuck off me you motherfucker!!"

Still gasping for breath, Misato staggered to her feet.

"Help me!!"

She flinched as Fletcher called out to her… but after a moment of silence she simply limped over to Ritsuko and began shaking her awake.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH!!" Fletcher raged. "I'll kill you! I'll fucking KILL YOU!!!"

Misato managed to get the still-groggy head of Project E to her feet, slinging her arm over her shoulder and starting towards the door. "Enjoy Hell."

"AHHH!!! FUCK Y-"

Misato tried to move faster as Fletcher's scream was cut off by a sickening, mind-numbing crunch. It sounded, Misato decided, like an entire truckload of eggs getting sucked into a jet engine. Pure, utter annihilation.

"M-Misato!" Ritsuko coughed as they neared the exit. "Look!!"

Risking a glance over her shoulder, but avoiding looking at the door Fletcher had just been drawn through, Misato caught a fleeting glimpse of a girl in a high-school uniform. She was clean and fresh and glowing, as if she had just stepped out of the shower, and her hair was tied back in a ponytail with a simple, red bow. She caught Misato's eye… and a soft smile spread over her pretty features, taking the operations director's breath away with its simplicity and honest, uninhibited gratitude.

The girl raised her hand in a brief wave… and disappeared as if she had never been.

"Come on," Ritsuko urged, "Maya's with me, but we got separated when Fletcher jumped me and shoved me in here… we have to find her!"

"R-right," Misato managed, pulling her eyes away from where the girl had been.

Goodbye, Amber, she thought sadly. God rest your soul…

Together, she and Ritsuko hurried out of the room.

**

Maya, it turned out, was hiding in the very next room, clutching a rusted butcher knife - which very nearly found its way into Ritsuko's chest as the tech cried, "Oh, Sempai!!" and ran to greet her superior.

"Watch it with that thing!" Ritsuko shouted, catching the younger woman's wrist and forcing the knife downward before it could gut her.

"S-sorry," Maya panted, "I... when we ran in that… that man, I just panicked. Major!" she gasped as she beheld Misato's bruised features. "What… happened?"

"Payback's a bitch," Misato whispered enigmatically, "and I guess she has a sense of humour."

Maya and Ritsuko exchanged a glance as the operations director knelt on the floor and tried to catch her breath.

"We ummm… thought we could help if we came in with you," Ritsuko said after a moment's hesitation, "you shouldn't have left without us, Misato."

"Sorry," Misato apologized, "I just… I thought I'd have found him by now. I just - I KNEW he was in he-"

"We're close to wherever Shinji is…" Ritsuko interjected softly. "Definitely…" When Misato looked at her questioningly, Ritsuko elaborated.

"Listen, everyone here has had some connection to Shinji. Misato, you were his guardian and his commanding officer… I was the chairperson of the project Shinji became a part of… Maya was a colleague of Shinji's, and the Commander was his father and the commander of NERV…"

"Amber was a girl Shinji befriended," Misato nodded, "and Fletcher… well…" reluctantly, she explained what had happened to Amber and what she had seen on those DVD in her room.

"Could all this have something to do with Shinji?" asked Maya.

"Could be," Misato conceded, "I mean, Alicia definitely has some involvement in this - look at how often she talks about Shinji and all the things we did to him? Yeah, this is ALL about him… somehow. I just don't know how, yet."

"Well," Ritsuko said quietly, "I guess it's about time we found that out, isn't it?"

All three women nodded in agreement, moving without another word to the end of the hall and pushing open the door… to nowhere.

TBC