Page 41 of Hollow

“Yes,” Dimitri replied sheepishly.

“Doubt anyone’s going to care.” Jack waved a hand at the half-empty parking lot. “Malls are mostly dead. Anyone working inside isn’t paid enough to give a shit, anyone bored enough to roam the hollow halls of decaying stores doesn’t have time to care either.”

“You make it sound harrowing.”

“That’s half the fun.” Jack winked.

Dimitri followed Jack into the mall, sticking closely to him, but it seemed Jack was right. They only crossed paths with a handful of people, half of whom were too preoccupied to notice them, and the other half only cared enough to gawk for a moment before returning to their tasks.

Being a monster in the modern era proved quite easy.

“Howdy ho, my creepy crawlies. It’s your boy, Jack Whoa Lantern,” Jack said into his phone as he recorded himself walking toward a large fountain in the center of the mall. “We’re out here at the Westfield mall, and we’re going to do a little Christmas shopping. Today’s game is to see who can buy the other the best gift with fifty bucks.”

Jack held up two crisp fifty-dollar bills, then handed one over to Dimitri.

“Place your bets,” Jack said into the camera. “Of course, you’re all bound to bet on me. Jack Whoa Lantern rarely falters. That said, I wouldn’t count Deer Daddy out just yet.”

Dimitri pulled Jack aside, cupping a hand around the side of Jack’s pumpkin almost as if he planned to whisper in his ear—an ear hidden by the enchanted mask.

“I do not like that name,” Dimitri hissed.

Jack chuckled, then paused the video.

“Do you have another in mind?”

“No, but perhaps we can hold off on the name…”

“We need a name otherwise, they’re going to keep coming up with their own,” Jack said. “Plus, I like Deer Daddy.”

“I am not a deer or a father.”

“You can be my daddy.” Jack winked.

Dimitri’s entire face burned red at the prospect.

“We can keep the name for now, but I reserve the right to change it,” Dimitri said, feeling quite flushed.

“Rebranding’s a bitch, but thankfully I’m the H-B-I-C.”

Dimitri scrunched his face, never fully understanding anything Jack said.

“Okay, so the goal will be to record yourself and the things you see while doing a little holiday shopping.”

“What am I supposed to buy?”

“A gift for me.”

“What do you want?”

“Something thoughtful.”

“Okay, like what?”

“Something you put thought into.”

“But it is for you, correct?” Dimitri asked, quite perplexed. “Should you not be the one to think of what you want and tell me?”

“It’ll mean more if you get me something you think I’ll like.”