Page 21 of Hollow

“But we are real.”

“Again, not in their mind, and it’s important to keep the worldbuilding consistent for humans. They get pissy if the lore isn’t loreing and the way they bitch when something gets retconned,” Jack explained, realizing Dimitri probably didn’t understand much of what he blurted. “Trust me, I learned this when my videos got popular with the book girlies, gays, and theys.”

Dimitri seemed confused in the most adorable way.

“You wouldn’t believe how much those bookish nerds love a sexy thirst trap.” Jack posed playfully as if he were still on camera, yet he knew full well the only eyes on him were Dimitri’s. “Trust me, if they can mount it, they’ll most certainly try to ride it. Reading makes folks bold.”

“There are entire communities dedicated to the research of books?”

“Not exactly.” Jack smirked, awed that out of everything he said, Dimitri’s singular takeaway involved simply reading the day away.

There was something so cute about how Dimitri processed what Jack said. It made Jack want to share more of the world, overwhelm his new friend, and feed him knowledge on every absurd thing ever, just so he could watch his cute reaction. But Jack held back, knowing as much as he liked to see the scrunch in Dimitri’s brow, he wanted to take his time introducing him to the world he’d missed out on.

“I’m going to have to give you a tour of my library. Tons of classics, for sure, but you wouldn’t believe the stuff humans read now. Might make the devil himself blush.”

Dimitri eyed Jack curiously, which made the bold monster blush a bit beneath his pumpkin head. Oh, how Jack found himself grateful Dimitri couldn’t see him pining.

CHAPTER SIX

Dimitri’s eyes widened as he scrolled through Jack’s phone.

@DarkBookGurl666: Dear Daddy I need a Deer Daddy

@Username77723405: 10 pt buckshot

@KingGael: More like back shots

@Username77723405: Sign me up

@PumpkinGurl69: I’ve seen the way you arch bish. I know that deer boy is cracking you open.

@JackFanEdits: Jack’s gonna Whoa all right. Can’t wait to see the stag man wreck your pumpkin face carving a hole with his

@BezBaddieFan: Jack’s face since he uploaded this:

@AaronLong: The eyes are weird. Maybe adjust the filter.

@MiaMommy: What filter? I want

@TedRed37: There contacts dumb a s s !

@PumpkinSpicy: Please get out your Santa costume this year and be that big bad reinDEERs ho ho ho

@Username889230: Sit on my face!

@GaheyyGagged: The way I’d let you both rail me.

@DylanKR: Eiffel towered by monsters!!! FR. Need this in my life.

The final comment Dimitri read before handing over the phone involved a picture of a tiny cartoon person suffocating by pressing their face into giant chest muscles. The cartoon had the name “me” over its head, while the chest had the name “Deer Daddy” written out.

“Humans are very odd.” Dimitri handed Jack his phone. The pair sat together on a bench outside. “I had no idea how bold they have become.”

His detainment in the Hearst estate didn’t often involve talking with many humans. Usually, he received curt commands and simply did as he was told. Rarely did anything spark an actual conversation, and if by some miracle it did, no one spoke like this.

“Humans are definitely braver behind a screen,” Jack explained. “Half of these people wouldn’t say any of this in person. Especially the haters. They’re usually just pencil-dicked incels jealous other people are actually enjoying their lives.”

“No one seemed hateful. Perhaps disturbingly detailed on what they wish for me to do to them, to you, and everyone else on earth.”