Meap Me in St. Louis

Chapter 5: Conflict Begins

MACKENZIE

Sean, Shanna, and I enter the convention center right at nine o'clock. There are so many unusual costumes, hairdos, and makeup styles that I have no idea what to make of it. Stands are set up all around depicting artwork from various fandoms, with people standing next to them and chatting about them, along with a couple of photo stations that I'm almost sure I'll be posing at soon. There's a concession stand near the entrance with water jugs and snack containers. Looking around the convention makes Shanna squeal and jump in excitement. I just want to go back to my hotel room and sleep.

Shortly after we enter, I feel a light tapping on my ankle. I look down to find the little cartoon alien tugging at my pantyhose. We locked the hotel door and all the windows, so how he got here is beyond me.

"I told you to stay in the room!" I hiss. He just looks at me with those big eyes. Part of me feels sorry for being so hard on what looks like a poor, helpless creature, but the logical part of my brain is telling me not to fall for his cuteness. I quickly pick him up, stuff him into my backpack, and zip it shut before anybody sees him.

We walk up to a stand created around the show we're cosplaying for, where another guy and another girl dressed similarly to us have planted themselves. They see the twins and instantly start beaming, embracing each other. "Oh my gosh! It's really you!" the girl says.

"It's so nice to finally meet you guys in person!" Shanna replies. I guess they've only known each other online until now. They release each other, and Shanna introduces them to me. "Mackenzie, these are our friends Claire and Adrian. Guys, this is Mackenzie."

I politely wave, secretly wishing I could teleport away. "Nice to meet you."

Shanna and Claire enter a conversation about one of the most recent episodes of the show, which I zone out of. The alien begins shuffling around in my backpack, in some instances kicking my back. This is problematic for me, as last year I was in a car accident that really roughed up my spine. I'm lucky to not have any paralysis, but this fucking asshole just might lead me there. "Cut it out!" I hiss, slapping my backpack. This does stop the alien, but attracts the attention of Shanna, Sean, Claire, and Adrian.

"Sorry," I say, coming up with a lie on the spot. "I have some toys in my backpack that they brought with them, and sometimes they turn on and move around."

Not my best cover-up, but it's enough to keep Claire and Adrian from asking further questions. "Well, be careful not to lose them. This center has a long history of toys and accessories going missing," Adrian warns. They go back to their conversation, and not five seconds later, it happens again. I punch the bag much harder this time.

"Mackenzie? You sure you're okay?" Claire asks, worried.

I put on a fake smile, grab Sean and Shanna's shoulders, and say, "Give us a minute, please." The other two nod and turn away from us, and I drag the twins out through the nearest non-emergency exit. We walk behind the hotel, where no one can see us.

"What's going on?" Sean asks.

"That stupid alien won't stop moving around!" I hiss, taking off my backpack and setting it on the ground so that my back can have some rest.

Shanna opens her mouth, then shuts it. A frightened look appears on her face, and she shakily points behind me. "Uh... guys?" she stammers, trembling.

I turn around and am met face-to-face with two cartoony robots hovering in the air. I've encountered plenty of weird shit throughout my 17 years of living, most of it way crazier than this, and yet I still flinch and gasp. The two robots lock their gaze onto the alien, who has somehow crawled out of my backpack and is wandering about. Given that they also look like drawn characters, they are definitely related to the alien.