Page 20 of Hollow

“Perhaps you are right,” Dimitri finally spoke, pressing a sharp nail to the black glass screen of the phone. “Let me declare myself to the world.”

“Wait, seriously?” Jack quirked an eyebrow.

“You make existing seem carefree.” Dimitri gave a soft, small smile. “For so long, existing seemed like a chore, an obligation. I would wish to see this pleasant side of life.”

“Well, let me just say, you will not find much joy online,” Jack said. “People are jerks. But if you manage to get through all the dick bags and find your community, you’ll meet some awesome people.”

“I believe I already have.”

A warmth filled Jack’s chest, and he believed if his heart still beat, then it would most certainly be thumping loudly at this moment.

“You’re too kind,” Jack said, unable to meet Dimitri’s gaze. “All right, how about we make a short intro video. That way, the comments can do the heavy lifting, and we can think up more for your lore later.”

“Okay, but I do not wish to speak,” Dimitri added. “Is there a way I can silently participate?”

“Oh, most definitely.” Jack’s eyes lit up, almost quite literally with the tiniest of sparks at the core of the shadow orbs. “Just follow my lead.”

Dimitri nodded.

Jack turned on his camera and hit record. “Howdy ho, my creepy crawlies. It’s your boy, Jack Whoa Lantern, and you will not believe what’s been going on. No one asked, but the last few weeks have been wild here in Sleepy Hollow.”

Jack kept the camera zoomed in close to his animated pumpkin head that mimicked his mouth as he spoke.

“Usually, humans aren’t so bold, but believe it or not, a few tried to unalive me.” Jack’s mouth turned into a tight, worried line.

In the corner of his eye, he saw Dimitri tense up, shocked by how much truth he spilled into his video.

“They failed, obviously,” Jack said, tilting the phone slightly to reveal his chest. “I’m a beast in more ways than just the sheets.”

“Do not speak of valor. It had nothing to do with the victory. You merely won because mortals fail at all things they attempt,” Astaroth shouted between hearty bites of his meal. “Their incompetence knows no bounds.”

Jack kept the camera on himself, but his audience had grown accustomed to Astaroth’s off-screen commentary. In years past, he wasted hours editing out the demon dog’s insults, only to find that after one crude line about hating humanity got Jack his first video to hit a million viewers. That was when he realized people liked snarky hate with zero apologies. It made giving zero fucks a bit easier, even if most of it was still for show.

“Side note,” Jack said, pulling the camera even closer somehow. “I met another monster. He’ll be joining me here in Sleepy Hollow.”

Jack expanded the screen to catch his full upper body.

“And no, before you even ask, he is not headless or head giving…” Jack winked. “That I’m aware of.”

He pulled Dimitri into the frame, relishing how the uneasy Leshy stared in this very assertive manner. Despite his nerves, he managed to come across as domineering. Perhaps it was the faded glow of his green eyes. Maybe it had to do with the jagged points of his antlers. Honestly, it was probably his expressionless face coupled with the sharp jawline and broad build.

Hell, all of that kept Jack’s attention while he filmed, and every other minute of the day.

“He’s spent the last few centuries in Hell, so he’s a bit behind on the times.” Jack let the camera sit on Dimitri, making a mental note to add a sound to the video later to enhance the awkward silence. “But my goal is to catch him up.”

Jack let the camera catch a full view of Dimitri’s bare abdomen, and the very hairy happy trail leading to places he could only dream of exploring.

“So, be sure to comment what you think my devil daddy needs to do now that he’s out of Hell.”

Jack turned the camera, focusing on Dimitri’s face and sharp antlers, before stopping the recording, saving the video draft, and putting his phone away.

“I was not in Hell,” Dimitri said with a quizzical expression. “Not literally, at least. You may require elaboration on such details.”

“Oh, part of my lore is that I’m from Hell,” Jack explained. “It’s just easier for people if they think we’re all from the same place.”

“We?” Dimitri raised a brow.

“Monsters. Cryptids. Fiendish beasts.” Jack grinned. “If it ain’t real in their mind, it’s too confusing.”