Page 36 of Hollow

“You will need to lead,” Dimitri said. “I have no idea where I am going.”

“Oh, yeah, of course.” Jack laughed, steering them away from the wrong direction and heading toward the festival.

Despite how crowded the event was, Dimitri seemed much calmer this time around than during Halloween. He kept himself pressed closely to Jack as they wandered through the event, but his attention flitted in every direction.

Dimitri’s glowing green eyes held a twinkle that could only be conceived as pure awe. Behind his calm demeanor, Jack watched as Dimitri’s eyes flitted about, soaking in the sights. Giant inflatable Christmas-themed props. String lights in every conceivable color, some sparkling, others flashing, and many spelling out words of joy or designed to in a wintery image.

As white fluff fluttered through the air, Dimitri crinkled his nose and gave the phony snow a wicked look.

“Deceitful.”

“Or cute,” Jack said with a smile. “Some people like a little snow with their Christmas.”

“It is not Christmas for weeks.”

“Still, we don’t always get snow anymore until January hits,” Jack explained. “Or if we do, it rarely sticks.”

“Because you all butcher nature,” Dimitri countered. “She withholds her joy, waiting for the season of humanity to pass.”

“That’s ominous.” Jack playfully shuddered. “Think she’ll beat out Astaroth when it comes to destroying the world?”

“Maybe,” Dimitri said, eyes still lost on the many bright wonders illuminating the crowded streets. “But nature will not destroy the world, merely the pests once they stop serving their purpose.”

Jack found that curious, wondering how much of this Dimitri knew for certain or merely speculated. Did he speak to Nature herself? He was a spirit of the forest. Surely, that came with special insight.

“Who knows,” Dimitri said, tightening his grip as he walked alongside Jack. “Perhaps in a century or two, we can place a bet on who will destroy the world first. Nature in a fit of fury, humanity in a fit of stupidity, or the demon dog in a fit of boredom.”

Jack nearly laughed at that, then choked back the noise at the simple realization of Dimitri’s words. A century or two. Sure, it wasn’t a promise or a guarantee, but it was something. Dimitri was considering their future. A confusing future for sure. A whim of words muttered as his mind was distracted by the many sights. Still, Jack clung to those words, to the idea of more years with Dimitri around. As friends, as lovers, as something more. He didn’t know. He wasn’t certain if he wanted to know just yet. Something about the prospect of the unknown—oh, how the unknown held so many possibilities, and Jack could swim in that wonder with utter delight.

“You should finish your costume.” A small child ran up to them, poking Dimitri in the leg.

“Excuse me?”

“Your costume.” The little kid pointed at Dimitri, then at Jack. “You didn’t finish dressing up.”

“I am not dressed up,” Dimitri growled at the little kid, though his subtle intimidation did nothing to lessen the sparkle in the kid’s eyes.

“Yes, you are.” The kid pointed to Dimitri’s tiny antlers. “They look authentic, but too small. A little cheap.”

The kid pulled out a pair of plastic light-up antlers and put them on. “See. My costume is better.”

“It is not a competition.”

“Well, not dressed like that,” Jack joined in, teasing Dimitri.

“My mom brought extra red noses,” the kid said. “You could be an okay Rudolph.”

“I am not the red-nosed reindeer,” Dimitri snarled.

“I don’t know, you did find your way through the fog of the forest pretty darn well.” Jack immediately stifled his laughter as Dimitri glowered in response.

“You’re also wearing the wrong green for elves. It needs to be brighter. Happier,” the kid said, pointing to the dark forest green jacket Dimitri had on. “The ears look good enough. Maybe that one is the wrong size, though.”

Dimitri’s pointed ears twitched. “They are not the wrong size. My ears are perfectly sized!”

“Why are you a reindeer and an elf? Makes no sense.”

The small child continued rambling much to Dimitri’s dismay, all while Jack fought to maintain his composure. It was a losing battle, and he loved every second of it.