Taylor and Amy settled into their seats near the middle of the screening room, the perfect vantage point for catching every detail of the upcoming anime premieres. The lights dimmed, and the buzz of excitement around them grew as fans whispered about what might be revealed.

Amy nudged Taylor. “Think they’ll show the new One Piece episode or the next Demon Slayer arc?”

“If they do, I’ll probably faint,” Taylor whispered back, grinning. “But I’d bet it’s something new. They love to surprise us.”

The host walked onto the stage, decked out in a flashy cosplay, holding a microphone. “Welcome, everyone, to the premiere screenings of some of the hottest upcoming anime of the season!” The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

As the host started introducing the first trailer, Amy leaned back, letting the excitement wash over her. This was everything they’d been hoping for—a day packed with panels, cosplay contests, endless food, and now the main event. She and Taylor shared a quick fist bump, both brimming with excitement.

But just as the lights dimmed further and the screen lit up, something unexpected happened.

The host, who had been smiling and waving, suddenly faltered, clutching his stomach. He staggered slightly, looking dazed, as if he’d lost his balance. A murmur rippled through the crowd as people started whispering, wondering if this was part of the act.

“Is…is he okay?” Amy muttered, furrowing her brows.

Taylor shrugged, but a sliver of concern crept into his expression.

The host’s expression twisted, his eyes widening in horror as a guttural growl escaped his throat. He raised his head, and to everyone’s shock, his skin appeared mottled, sickly, and…wrong. His eyes, which had been bright and enthusiastic only moments ago, were now clouded, hollow.

“Oh no,” Taylor whispered, instinctively pulling Amy closer. “Is this…is this some kind of horror gag?”

It wasn’t.

The First Attack

With a sudden lunge, the host leapt off the stage, diving into the audience with terrifying speed. Screams echoed through the room as people scrambled to get away. Some tried to rush toward the exits, but the doors were jammed with the panicked crowd.

Amy gripped Taylor’s arm tightly, her mind racing. “What…what’s happening?!”

“I don’t know, but we need to get out of here. Now!” Taylor hissed, pulling her toward the aisle.

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But before they could move, another person, just a few seats away, began convulsing, twitching and groaning as they, too, transformed. Their hands clawed at the air, reaching out for the people around them with a strange, unnatural hunger in their eyes.

More screams filled the room as panic spread, and in the chaos, more attendees began to turn. People Taylor and Amy had just been chatting with, fans in costumes they recognized, were now shuffling and growling, their movements jerky and unnatural.

“We need a way out,” Taylor said, his voice shaking as he scanned the room. The exits were blocked, and the horde of zombies was growing with every passing second.

Making a Quick Plan

Amy’s mind raced. “The side exit! Over there!” she pointed, spotting a small, lesser-known door to the side of the screen, usually reserved for staff. They’d noticed it earlier when they entered and figured it might be an escape if things got too crowded.

They ducked down, weaving through the seats and dodging panicked fans who were either frozen in fear or rushing for any exit they could find. The twins stuck close, using the shadows cast by the dim lights to stay unnoticed by the zombies.

As they neared the side door, they were almost free when a hand shot out, grabbing Taylor’s shoulder. He whirled around, his heart pounding, only to come face-to-face with a zombie dressed as Naruto. The zombified fan’s headband was askew, his eyes vacant, as he let out a guttural growl and lunged at them.

“Taylor!” Amy yelled, reaching for him.

Thinking fast, Taylor yanked one of his fake swords from its sheath and used it to push the zombie back, the force knocking the undead Naruto to the floor just long enough for them to slip past.

“Go, go, go!” Taylor shouted, and together, they burst through the side door, slamming it shut behind them.

Escape to the Hallway

They found themselves in a narrow hallway, empty except for the distant sounds of more screams. The whole convention was being overrun. Taylor looked at Amy, both of them panting, trying to process the insanity unfolding around them.

“What…what was that?” Amy stammered, her voice shaking. “Did everyone…turn into…?”

“Zombies,” Taylor finished, his expression dark. “This can’t be real, but…” He swallowed, hearing the faint sounds of shuffling and groaning from beyond the door they’d just escaped.

Amy clenched her fists, her face pale. “Taylor…what if Maya’s mall is like this? What if she’s dealing with…with this, too?”

Taylor’s face softened, but he shook his head. “One crisis at a time. We need to survive this and get out of here. Then we can find out about Maya.”

Amy nodded, pushing her fear for their sister aside. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Alright. Let’s get moving.”

As they hurried down the hallway, the distant sounds of screaming echoed through the convention center, sending chills down their spines. Just as they reached the end of the hallway, a familiar figure stepped into view—a zombie dressed as Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen, eyes eerily lifeless yet faintly glowing in the dim emergency lights.

Taylor and Amy froze, their hearts pounding as the Gojo zombie lurched toward them, reaching out with rotting hands.

“Time to fight,” Taylor muttered, raising his fake sword.

Amy gripped her prop katana tightly, her gaze steely. “Let’s show this zombie what real fans can do.”

They dodged the zombie’s first attack, quickly realizing that this hallway wouldn’t give them enough room to fight effectively. Taylor swung his sword, managing to push the Gojo zombie back just enough to clear a path.

“Come on!” he shouted, grabbing Amy’s hand. Together, they dashed past the Gojo zombie, bursting through the exit at the end of the hallway and into the main convention lobby.

But instead of finding safety, they were met with a scene that was even more horrifying.