Comic Con - Auggie Anderson's Day off

Auggie's fingers quickly flew over his Braille keyboard. A lopsided grin danced across his face. His head shifted slightly as his ears picked up the gait of Annie Walker followed by the scent of grapefruit.

"What are you smiling about Anderson?" She questioned with a grin of her own.

"I just confirmed my reservation for Comic Con this weekend in San Diego." He said, pure joy wavering through his voice.

Annie raised an eyebrow. "Comic Con?"

Mock disbelieve crossed Auggie's face. "You mean to tell me that you have never heard of Comic Con?"

"I didn't say that, Auggie." She laughed. "I guess I should have figured with you being a huge dork at all."

"Yeah, yeah, rub it in Walker."

Annie smiled to herself.

"And because of that comment, I don't think I'm going to bring you back a souvenir."

"Aw, I'm hurt."

Auggie could just pick up the slightest trace of sadness in her remark. "But, if you're good this weekend and don't into any trouble, maybe I'll reconsider."

"Okay." Annie said, a smile back on her face. "When do you leave?"

"Right now." He said excitedly as he turned off his equipment and began packing up his things. "Care to see me off?" He said, slight grin on his face.

"Why not?" Annie replied as he latched onto her arm, just above the elbow. Together they exited the DPD and the building.

Auggie's flight landed in San Diego around 10pm west coast time. There had been some bad weather that delayed the flight on the east coast. Like always, Auggie had friends everywhere. He was picked up at the airport by one of his good buddies from basic.

"Auggie, my man, it's been too long!"

"Tyler!" Auggie replied as the two hugged and got into the car.

"So, how stoked are you to be here at Comic Con?"

"Beyond man." He laughed. "It has been a long, long time since I've been."

Although Auggie wouldn't be able to enjoy the sights of the international event, he was wondering how it would turn out being experience through sound. Though he didn't like being blind, he felt that sometimes eyesight took away from the truth of the matter. Sight could be a distraction.

Auggie was soon settled into his hotel room and just as quickly as he checked in, he was out on the streets, ready to get his geek on. Anticipation, nerves, and excitement bubbled inside him. Though he was handsome, charming, and a smooth talker, he was a geek at heart. The fact that he was going to be in the same building with some of the greatest minds to think up comics, T.V. shows and such, it was amazing.

Though the convention was closed for the day, the two friends had a wonderful evning catching up and sharing old stories.

The next day, the two friends, with ease, made it through the front doors and were soon immersed in the essence of Comic Con. It was like watching kids in a candy shop. They browsed the various booths, tables, and stands. They picked up freebies to their hearts content and had a quick bite to eat.

"Tell me Tyler, what are some of the panels this year?"

Tyler fidgeted with a brochure and took a quick glance. "Hm, it looks like 'Breaking Bad', 'Doctor Who', 'Walking Dead', 'Marvel Cinematic', and 'Game of Thrones' to name a few. There's also quite a few special guests and famous people for signing autographs."

Auggie mused the information over in his head. In a dream world, he would be able to see everything in one day. But he was only able to stay for the weekend. Seeing that he wasn't able to get his start until today, Saturday, he had to pick and choose wisely.

"Okay," He said finally, "We have to go to the 'Doctor Who' and 'Walking Dead' panels for sure. As for the special speakers, is Terry Moore on the list?"

Tyler was quiet for a moment. Auggie heard his friend's finger as he ran down the page over the list of names. "Ah ha! Yes, yes he is."

A smile lit Auggie's face. "Good. He is top priority."

"Anyone else you want to see?"

"I think this is a good start for now."

As the day drew on, the two friends made it to a majority of the panels. Auggie's favorite was 'Doctor Who'. Tyler's was 'Game of Thrones'. When the panels were over, they browsed the autograph section. A majority of the guests were small named actors. But Auggie had no doubt that they relished the opportunity to be at Comic Con. Auggie knew he, himself did. Finding a few people that he was interested in getting their autographs, they stood in line and waited.

Finally, the day came to a close. Auggie had just one day left and he had to see Terry Moore. Tomorrow would hopefully be the day. If he didn't, the blind man was for sure, to be crushed.

The two friends repeated the same routine as they did yesterday. Browsed the tables, saw a few more panels and stood in line for autographs. "Anything on Terry Moore?" Auggie asked, slight desperation in his voice.

"No man." Tyler said. His fingers brushed against the thin paper as he searched for an answer for his friend. The silence grew and Auggie's anticipation swelled. "Auggie," Tyler began. At that moment, Auggie's heart sank.

"Yes?" he said quietly.

"It looks like we just missed him."

"Damnit!" He swore quietly. Then, his head perked up and a smile danced across his face. "Well, I guess we'll just have to go and find him."

"Auggie!" Tyler exclaimed! "How are we to do that?"

A sly, smile perked up the blind man's lips. "Oh, I have my ways." And he left it at that.

The thing with the blind, they were able to use their ears quite well. A sighted person would be amazed at the things blind people heard. It was almost a superpower. So, when Auggie caught wind of where Terry Moore was going to be, he was ecstatic and said as much to Tyler.

The two comrades waited till it was near closing time and wound their way through the maze of people and to where Auggie heard Terry was going to be.

"I don't know about this Auggie. What if we get caught."

"If we get caught, we can pull the handicap card." he said. Though it pained him to pull that card, and he would feel guilty for using it later, he really, really wanted to meet Terry.

"Okay man." Tyler said doubtfully.

A few minutes later, the two stood a small distance away from the magic curtain that hid the wonders of Comic Con. Auggie had caught wind of where Terry would be having a meeting with a few of the other artists.

"Is there anyone in sight?" Auggie asked.

"No."

"Good, lets move." Auggie said as Tyler led him to the certain. Silence filled the two as Auggie listened with all his might. He could just make out a conversation. By the tone, it appeared to be coming to an end.

"Now!" Auggie said as Tyler led the way through the curtain. Auggie had been holding his breath and finally released it when a sudden gasp was heard. "Sorry to burst in on you, but I really, really wanted to meet you!" The blind man said excitedly.

A slight silence filled the room. Auggie had the sinking feeling they were not in the right place or they had interrupted a meeting. Finally, someone spoke.

"Why, that's all right." The man laughed. "I'm always delighted to meet an enthusiastic fan."

Auggie sighed in relief as he held out his hand in the general direction of the voice. "My name is August Anderson, Auggie for short."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Auggie, I'm Terry Moore." A slight pause. "Now tell me, how did you find me?"

"I have super hearing." He said with a laugh as he pointed to his ears.

"Really, that's incredible!" The artist explained.

Auggie smiled in return.

"So what can I do for you Auggie?"

"I would really love to have you autograph this!" He said as he produced an original issue of an Echo comic from his messenger bag."

"I'd be delighted. Is there anything else I can do for you?" He questioned as he signed the paper.

"Well," Auggie began. He had had this idea running through his head that he thought was awesome. But now that he was asked to present his idea, he was a bit shy.

"Oh, come on, I promise I wont laugh." The man chuckled.

"Okay." Auggie finally started as he told the man his idea.

Auggie's plane landed in D.C. A small smile lit his face as he thought of his weekend. It was one of the best he had had in awhile. He couldn't wait to tell Annie about it, and show her the things he had gotten her. But he was most excited to see the result of the request he had asked of Terry. He also couldn't wait to show it to Annie.

One Month Later

"Oh Walker." Auggie called from his office. A manilla envelope was sitting on his desk. This was it, this was what he had been waiting for since Comic Con.

Annie waltzed in and noted the expression on Auggie's face.

"What are you so happy about?" She asked with suspicion.

"Oh you remember how I told you of my adventures at Comic Con, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I left one part out. The most exciting part." He paused. "Here, open it!"

Auggie handed the envelope to Annie and waiting in anticipation as she opened the thing.

"Oh my God." She finally said as her eyes scanned over the pages. "Auggie, what is this?"

"Well, I thought it would be cool if you and Echo were in the same comic together seeing as you are pretty much like a superhero."

"Auggie." She said.

Before he knew it, Auggie felt slender hands on his shoulders and warm lips on his cheeks as Annie kissed him.

"Thank you!" She said in his ear.