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Wray looked at his watch impatiently. Why was Bobbie so late today?
The location for this con was so out of the way and in a terrible part of town.
He wasn't worried about her, she was always fine.
He was worried about himself. Wray really wanted to get outta here.
The con had another day left but he was only scheduled for Saturday and had a flight out tonight.
He sent her a quick text. 'Where are you?'
It didn't take her long to respond. 'Relax. I'll be there soon.'
'I have to leave for my flight SOON.' He sent back.
'You didn't check your email.'
'Your flight was rescheduled and your on the red eye back.'
He sighed. Of course he was.
He didn't send back what he wanted to say.
'What time?'
'1'
He sighed again and laughed.
'I guess I do have time to wait then.'
He had already checked out and he didn't want to hang around near the con.
It was fairly cold out and already getting dark.
But he still didn't need to be at the airport for a few more hours.
He could just go anyways. It would be better then staying here.
His stomach growled.
Maybe some dinner first. There were several restaurants in walking distance and he could leave from any of them straight to the airport.
It was busy enough around the con he shouldn't have to worry about being hasled by anyone but fans.
He text Bobbie again. 'I'm getting dinner. We can meet at the airport.'
She sent him a thumbs up, along with a peach, a eggplant and water droplets.
He quickly closed his messenger before he could think about who she was with right now.
He recalled seeing a little diner that looked pretty good on the way in. He couldn't remember exactly where it was but it couldn't be that far away.
Since the fall weather was cool and damp it gave him an excuse to pull his hoody up, obscuring his face slightly. He hoped he wouldn't be recognized on his way out. He really didn't want to be stopped tonight.
Wray started off down the sidewalk in the direction of the restaurant.
He stepped around a group of cosplayers, none of them said anything to him and he relaxed a little.
Several blocks later he wondered if he had gone the right way. The sun had dropped below the buildings, streetlamps turned on with a hum.
The occasional couple would pass. Some in hoodys of various sci-fi properties, some in partial costume and still some in full cosplay.
No one seemed to be out alone tonight except him.
The little bit of sky he could see was a dark blue and getting darker by the minute. The wind funneling through the buildings turned bitterly cold.
Maybe he should turn around. Or get a cab here.
Up ahead he saw the visage of a horrific looking character standing in the middle of the sidewalk, perfectly silhouetted by a streetlamp.
The costume looked vaguely familiar. He knew he had seen different versions and art at cons recently. Must be a new thing he didn't know about.
Probably an anime.
This cosplayer had a very realistic looking machete in their hand. It looked like there was blood dripping from it. Very creepy affect, he wondered how they did it.
The costume itself looked very well put together and comfortable. Sometimes you just know someone is secretly dying in their cosplay when you look at them.
The torn mechanics jumpsuit covered in bits and bobs strapped around the body gave their silhouette more volume. The baby dolls head on the shoulders was a nice touch.
Reminded him of the pictures of that pyramid head that would go out on foggy nights and just stand in the street.
A chill ran down his spine. This person wasn't very big but the intimidation factor was at a ten.
He had been walking towards them admiring the dedication and now he found his feet stopping almost on their own.
He swallowed hard and found his mouth dry. This wasn't an actual thing, he told himself.
Just walk past them.
He had stopped maybe thirty feet from them. Whatever was on their machete had left a little puddle on the sidewalk.
It was a very dark liquid.
He hadn't seen anyone pass him for a bit now and was suddenly aware of his solitude.
Wray chanced a glance behind him and noticed an empty street.
The sun had fully set now and he couldn't help but think he might be in trouble.
He couldn't make his feet move. He also didn't want to turn his back to this person.
The cosplayer just stood there. A gasmask with painted sharp teeth obscuring their face.
Wray finally got his feet to move and took a step back. And another, and another.
He thought maybe he was over reacting. There was probably someone filming and this would end up on the internet somewhere.
The cosplayer started sprinting at him and all thoughts left his mind, replaced with the need to RUN.
He didn't even realize at first that he left his suitcase behind as he bolted back down the way he came, his hood falling back from the burst of wind his flight created.
How had he gotten so far away from the convention center?
Wray could here the cosplayer behind him, their feet pounding hard against the pavement.
He didn't dare glance back.
Every shop and office was closed, all the windows dark and grated gates covered most entrances. He saw a open convenience store and pushed himself harder towards the light.
He slammed hard into the door and pulled it open.
It was warm inside.
His pace slowed but he didn't stop.
"Help!"
He looked around and didn't see anyone.
He ran through the aisle searching.
"Help me!"
It was empty. He heard the door open and looked up at the rounded mirror in the corner of the store. The cosplayer was strolling leisurely through the aisles.
They started knocking things off shelves with their machete.
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and started dialing 911. He hoped this person would give up once they saw him calling the cops.
If he could see them in the mirror then they could see him.
He saw the bathroom door close by and bolted for it.
The phone kept ringing.
He made it to the door in three bounds and grabbed the knob.
It was locked. He heard someone say 'occupied'.
Might be the cashier.
The cosplayer was between him and the front door, a voice came over his phone.
"911 please hold"
Of course.
He saw the emergency exit door and rushed through it, he hoped there was an alarm on it.
The door opened with a bang as it hit the wall.
He started left and saw it was a dead end, he over corrected when he turned and slid on something slick in the alleyway.
When he met the ground his phone tumbled from his hand and slid under a dumpster.
"Fuck." He cursed under his breath.
His feet didn't want to get back under him.
They slipped several times before he finally found his footing.
He bolted down the alley just as the door slammed open behind him with another loud bang against the wall.
He looked over his shoulder and saw the cosplayer start running after him again.
The end of the alley came to a T and he turned right and realized he didn't know where he was going.
He thought he'd hit the street but there was just more alleyway.
A foggy alleyway.
When did that start?
He felt his legs starting to give out on him. His adrenaline could only last so long.
The alley opened up to what looked like a park.
Wray didn't recall seeing a park but he also hadn't explored around the convention center.
He ran into the trees and realized he might be better off since he couldn't really hide in the empty street.
This park was not cared for at all. The trees were wild looking and the under brush was thick and tugged at his clothes.
He tripped several times over twisted roots and hidden holes.
He could hear the cosplayer but he had successfully lost sight of them.
He dove into some thick bushes and tried not to breath.
He covered his mouth with his hands.
His heart was racing so fast he was afraid it would give him away, or stop completely from fear.
In the darkness he could hear the cosplayer walking past him. He hoped the gas mask would make it hard for them to see him.
This park was dark but there was enough ambient light from the city that he could kind of see.
Although the light was a lot more red then it was on the street.
They seemed to miss him and disappeared into the trees.
Wray took in a deep breath and tried not to pass out.
He stayed there breathing carefully and listening for a long time.
His body felt exhausted.
It felt like hours before he dared move.
He was terrified but he hadn't heard any movement since the cosplayer passed him.
He needed to get back to the convention center and call the cops.
He cautiously stood and took a few steps in the direction he assumed was where he came from.
This was crazy. This night was crazy.
And stupid.
He kept walking, stopping every few steps to listen.
Still no sound.
Wray thought this would be a small park but these trees went on forever.
A warm light appeared between some trees ahead, it looked like a fire.
He heard what sounded like low voices talking. He quickened his steps, he needed to warn them about the crazed cosplayer.
Plus there was safety in numbers.