Page 16 of Hollow

“Cooking is better without an audience, don’t let any of those cooking shows trick you into thinking otherwise.”

Dimitri nodded, then turned and stared out a window silently.

Jack grimaced. “You can watch TV or something. You don’t just have to stand there doing nothing.”

“I am observing the trees.” Dimitri pointed outside. “They are singing silent stories.”

“I mean, as long as you’re not bored.”

“Never.” Dimitri tilted his head, appearing to listen intently to the magical trees.

Whatever, Jack would take it. He went to work cooking, setting the table, and making everything look as pretty as possible. Jack rarely went for elegance when plating, but he wanted this to be a special meal. After he got everything ready, Jack invited Dimitri to join him.

“This is too beautiful to eat.”

“Well, let’s just hope it tastes as good as it looks.” Jack laughed. “Go ahead, take a bite.”

Dimitri eyed the dish, searching for the perfect spot, then cut a small piece off the edge of his slice of lasagna. He did so in such a way that it didn’t disturb the rest of his food, then he took a small bite, seeming to savor every flavor.

“Mmmmm.” Dimitri closed his eyes as he chewed, truly enveloped by the sensations.

Jack wondered how long it’d been since Dimitri had had a real meal, something made with love—and a hint of frustration for the damn directions. It didn’t escape his mind that the Hearst probably treated Dimitri poorly when they kept him locked up.

“You gotta try the garlic bread.” Jack lifted the breadbasket, placing it close to Dimitri.

“Oh my.” Dimitri took a small bite, then almost immediately chomped down on half the slice of his garlic bread. “This is amazing. Nikolai will be so envious when he learns of what bread is capable of becoming.”

“You have no idea,” Jack said. “I’ll have to take you to my favorite bakery sometime.”

“I would like that,” Dimitri said between bites of garlic bread, already onto his third piece with a fourth on his plate.

“Now, dip it into the sauce.”

Dimitri followed Jack’s suggestion and practically melted as the bread hit his tongue.

“Heavenly.”

Jack took great pleasure in watching Dimitri enjoy his meal. And sure, Jack felt awkward lifting his pumpkin mask up to take bites of his food, but he made do. It wasn’t the act of wearing the pumpkin itself. No, Jack always wore his pumpkin mask, even when completely alone. He’d trained himself centuries back to never risk being caught without the mask, the comfort, the safety.

What Jack hated was the fact that he had to reveal his chin, even only a bit, in order to take a bite of food. His hideous face would certainly churn anyone’s stomach if they saw the full extent of his broken flesh. He only hoped these tiny glimpses didn’t ruin Dimitri’s appetite.

But in truth, a strange warmth washed over Jack as he watched Dimitri. This reaction wasn’t what he anticipated. Dimitri didn’t stare. He didn’t steal secret glances. Most of all, he didn’t avoid eye contact either. Somehow, Dimitri simply existed in this moment, enjoying his meal and Jack’s company, completely unfazed by the small horrors available every time Jack raised his mask to grab a bite.

“I have to wonder, how do you see through this pumpkin?” Dimitri asked, pointing to the shadowy eyes of the pumpkin. “At first, I assumed you had carved small eye slots. But seeing you raise the pumpkin to eat, I see there are no openings at all.”

“Oh, my vision works through the shadows,” Jack explained. “Anything the shadows sense, so do I.”

“All shadows?”

“Just the ones connected to the Nuckelavee. Though his spirit can extend to all forms of darkness, so I suppose in a sense, I could see through all shadows.”

“Not just see, though. You said sense. Can you smell and hear through your shadows as well?”

“And feel and taste through them too.” Jack grinned. “It’s sort of automatic, but also on a secondary wavelength. If I need to, I can disconnect from those extensions. But that’s only if I’m having a total sensory overload.”

“I see. There is much I did not know of the Nuckelavee.” Dimitri stared at Jack; his glowing green eyes held this haunting aura. “I assumed you were the Nuckelavee, but you speak of it as if it is a separate entity.”

“I mean, sort of. We’re one now, but we weren’t always,” Jack said with a chuckle. “It’s complicated. I’ll have to give you the full story sometime.”