Page 27 of Hollow

“He just likes the money monsters make.”

“Why do you tell the world you are a monster? This is why hunters come for you. You cannot just announce yourself to the world.”

Jack laughed loudly. “I mean, I sort of can. And I do. But no one takes it seriously. They think I’m cosplaying as a local legend.”

“Only you are the local legend.”

“Yeah, but no one believes in cryptids—not really.”

“The hunters who brought me here believed in your story enough to try to kill you.”

“Sure, but look how that turned out. Trust me, they’re not even on my radar.”

Dimitri found it oddly comforting how dismissive Jack was of the threats of human hunters. It wasn’t purely bravado either, considering how easily he dispatched of them. Part of Dimitri wanted to believe he’d remain safe in Jack’s company.

“Point is, no one really believes in monsters or spirits or demons, and those who do are usually labeled wackos, conspiracy fanatics.” Jack strutted ahead, flaunting his body under another streetlight. “So, as far as the world is concerned, I’m just a sexy cosplaying boy with an ambiguous sexuality.”

“Why ambiguous?”

“Ah, to piss off the gay boys who claim I’m queerbaiting and to let the monster girlies think they got a shot.”

Dimitri quirked a brow. “I think my English needs work. I understood the words but none of the meaning.”

“That’s right, you’re still so far behind on the times. We’re going to have to do a bigger crash course on social media. I guess history, too.” Jack hopped up with enthusiasm. “I’m gonna go grab my laptop when we get home and make like a whole spreadsheet on it.”

Dimitri merely stared without blinking, finding Jack’s enthusiasm delightful.

“Hmmm, oh, just so you know, a laptop is like a personal computer. Do you know what a computer is? It’s sort of this magical device, only instead of magic they use…um…science? No. Um, well, it’s made with computer chips. Wait, no. Um, well… Okay, I don’t know how they’re made, but I know how they work.”

Dimitri laughed. “I know what a computer is. The hunters would use it when researching cryptids, when communicating with the Hearst family.”

“Okay, okay. We’re going to have to make a list of the things you know and don’t,” Jack said. “Oh, I can get my markers, and we can make a color-coded list of things. How fun.”

Jack rushed ahead, filled with this overwhelming glee that spread to Dimitri. He followed Jack toward the woods, and the pair disappeared into the magical fog. All the while, Dimitri trailed behind Jack, listening to his random shouts of trivia he planned on teaching Dimitri.

There was so much about the world Dimitri didn’t understand, but he found himself a bit excited to learn more about it alongside Jack.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“May I ask what it is you do all day locked inside your room?” Dimitri asked.

Jack plopped onto the couch, eyeing Dimitri and Astaroth chatting.

“Mostly, I work on my goal to unleash the apocalypse and destroy the world,” Astaroth said rather casually. “I also play games on Steam.”

Dimitri tilted his head, ears perking up inquisitively. Jack adored when Dimitri’s pointed ears twitched.

“Video games,” Jack said, holding up his controller to answer that curiosity in Dimitri’s vibrant green eyes.

“But better because mine involve mods,” Astaroth explained. “I enjoy modding. Nothing is quite as entertaining as stepping foot into a god’s realm and spitting in their face by altering the mechanics of reality to bend to your whim.”

“What is modding?”

“Adding changes to a game,” Jack answered.

“No, it is so much more,” Astaroth continued. “It is staring at creation itself and defying the laws of the world. It is truly glorious.”

“Quite sinister,” Dimitri said, turning his attention toward Jack. “But are we just going to ignore the apocalypse comment?”