Wake up: you're alive, Shinji(Open Dodeka)
The cloud of emptiness began to lift from the boy's mind. There was no reason to sleep anymore: Luck had it that he would be given the ability to breathe again. Or could he even call it luck? Was he even in his own world anymore? It wouldn't surprise him if this state of supposed consciousness was just his mind playing tricks on him. But of course, did he even have a mind left to use when he was in a state of pure nothingness? Probably not. How could a being who did not exist anymore even bother to think? His eyes fluttered open. Slow at first, only to blink several times afterwards. He then sat up from the warm cot he found himself lying upon. A large mirror stood at his wall, to which he looked at curiously. If he was still 'dead', how could he move or see his own reflection? How could he ponder over those he left behind forever on that cold October night?
"When you die, that's it. You never come back as your body decays and the rest of you leaves for a black void." Shinji wasn't stupid enough as to believe that there was some kind of god figure. Of course, that might change entirely once he learns more about the place he was now stuck within. A pity that his words were all too ironic. "So...why am I still alive? Or am I some kind of ghost, like in those lame horror movies?" What a stupid conclusion, Shinjiro. You of all people know better than to think something along those lines. Whatever reason he was still alive, he was up and kicking. But he had to find out what this place was, and where the others were. ...If they were here at all, that is.
He walked outside of the first house of the horns, only to find himself surrounded by ancient buildings. The area seemed abandoned and yet recently occupied. Would he find any of his friends here? If he did, Shinjiro might just have to thank them for taking care of Ken (Akihiko in particular). Despite these warm thoughts, he seemed aloof to those who crossed his path. He did dress a bit like a hobo, after all. What the hell did he expect? Normally, he expected others to leave him be, but Shinjiro wouldn't mind an explanation or two. The only issue was how he might go about and ask complete strangers. With a sigh, he looked down just in time to bump smack into the next person heading in the direction opposite him. Offering a hand, he sighed before saying. "Hey, you alright?" Well, that was considerate. Normally he wasn't at all like this. Was it that he was lost in his thoughts? Yeah, we'll go with that.
