Cosplay

By James Ninness

Robert is attending San Diego Comic Con for the first time. Scripts in hand, Robert dreams of becoming a writer. With the help of his well-to-do boyfriend, Ed, Robert plans on meeting everyone and anyone who can help him break into the industry. Unfortunately for Robert, an ancient serial killer is also attending the convention with big plans - plans that include Robert...

Robert's stories focus on serial killers over the last couple hundred years, detailing some of the most disturbing murders in grisly fashion. When bodies begin popping up, slashed and tattered in alleys around the show, Robert finds himself in the middle of something far more macabre than he could have imagined.

When Robert meets his favorite writer, someone who plays in the same murderous sandbox as Robert, his suspicions pique. When a mysterious stranger in an unsettling costume begins watching Robert, his terror grows.

Eventually, Robert learns that everyone wears a mask - everyone. But is this a lesson he can learn before it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Ninness
• Release date: Sep 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301078608

James Ninness

James Ninness is a writer of fiction. Though he primarily writes comic books and short stories, he does dabble in film and television as well. Most recently James released the Macabre Rising series, featuring six horror stories: Cosplay, Know Jack, Like It Or Not, Self Less, Snipe Hunt and Stages. James created and developed six properties through Keyleaf Comics, including MYTHOI, Sim-I, DUST, The Heaven's, Drace Grey and The Undergrounds. James has also written a few short films, including AMIRA which took home the Gold Medal for Musical Excellence in a Short Performance Film from the Park City Film Music Festival in 2011. After getting his degree in English: Creative Writing from Cal State University Long Beach in 2007, James moved to San Diego where he currently resides with his wife, daughters and dogs.

Book preview

COSPLAY

by

James Ninness

Edited by

Marcel Losada

Cover Art by

Brett Simmons

Book Design by

Shannon Forrey

Special Thanks to Mat Nastos

Published by James Ninness at Smashwords.

jamesninness.com

Copyright © 2012 James Ninness

ISBN: 9781301078608

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San Diego in July was as beautiful as Robert had hoped. He stepped out of the airport terminal and allowed the warm summer air to blow the stench of a long day away.

His flight from Long Island had been a disaster. Robert’s two-hour layover in Philadelphia mutated into a disgusting four-hour detainment onboard the plane as it sat unmoving on the runway. He should have arrived in San Diego well before sundown, but instead he found himself engulfed in night as it was well past eight.

Comic Con International was one of the most anticipated geek culture events in the world. Robert had never been, but he typically spent the middle of July glued to his computer, watching the coverage on G4TV or Newsarama. Up to now he had lacked the money to afford a trip to the West Coast for, what most of his family considered, a silly trip for children, but he was finally there, quivering with excitement.

Robby!

Robert’s boyfriend was waiting in front of a taxi parked on the street. Ed was pale and dwarfish, he seemed to be disfigured but without any particular reason for such a reaction as there were no noticeable deformities upon him. Ed’s smile was not particularly attractive, to be honest, it was a bit unnerving. Robert had remained perplexed since the day they had met at Ed’s simultaneously shy and bold composure, as if he were made of oil and vinegar, unable to mix himself into one presence.

Robert dropped his bags and hugged Ed. Ed held him firm around the waist, squeezing Robert so tight that for a moment, Robert thought he might tear in half.

I’m so sorry about your flight, Ed’s voice was thick like syrup but nowhere near as smooth, like chunks of gravel bouncing around a bass drum.

Robert pulled away and kissed Ed on the cheek, It happens. I’m here now.

Ed smiled up at Robert who was at least a head taller than him, True. You are. And what a time we’ll have.

Ed grabbed Robert’s bags and shuffled them towards the taxi. The driver took them and loaded them into the trunk while Ed held open the door for