The impostor's arrival had been anticipated. The aroma of the dog treat, despite being tucked in a pocket of Jared's favorite red and white windbreaker, produced an eager, drooling sheepdog by the time the impostor crossed the space from the back door to the doghouse.
"Thank god it's you," Jared barked and sent dog saliva flying through the air. "You've had your fun, but you can't expect to keep me a dog while you try to lead my life."
"I'm glad you're happy to see me, boy," the impostor said.
Jared growled from frustration and tried again with more barking. "I'm not happy to see you," he said. "I just want you to fix this."
"I don't think so," the impostor said, deciding now was the time to produce the treat. The aroma became stronger and less easy to push aside when the impostor fished the treat from the pocket of his wind-resistant jacket. Overhead, dark clouds moved at a rapid pace across a darkening sky.
"I listened to the man on the box with the pictures and sound," the impostor started to impart information while making sure the sheepdog's attention remained divided between his words and the treat in his hands.
"Box?" Jared barked. "You mean the TV set?"
"Yes, I watched the man on the TV set," the impostor said with a creepy attempt at a reassuring smile. "He said it's going to rain tonight."
Jared's quick scan of the doghouse with its open arch of a doorway caused him to produce a low whimper. "Please, you've got to do something," he barked, not wanting to spend another moment in sheepdog form, let alone a storm-tossed night.
"I don't got to do something," the impostor disagreed.
Jared, so far resisting the aroma of the treat, disagreed with sharp barks. "You can't pull this off," he argued. "Someone will realize you're a fake. Kevin will see through you."
"On the contrary, Kevin believes I am the real you," the impostor replied, thinking of the ease of deceiving the younger human male. "I am getting better at being human, and you will have to get better at being dog."
The wind increased and rustled the leaves in the oak and other tall trees in the yard. "So, if you're still planning to get back your body, give it up," the impostor said. "I've put the Scrabble game and those letter tiles on the top shelf of the closet. I've combed this yard and removed every stick I could find, in case you're plotting to leave a cry for help in the dirt."
Jared whimpered.
"I am you now," the impostor explained. "I can anticipate your every move."
Jared growled low in frustration.
"Sit, boy, and I will give you your treat," the impostor said.
"No," Jared barked and refused.
The impostor sniffed the treat. "Smells yummy," he said. "Will feel so good in your tummy. Yum, yum."
Jared thought the impostor looked ridiculous, but he did want the treat. He salivated like... well, like a dog, as the tempting aroma continued to entice him.
"Sit, boy," the impostor repeated with a firm tone laden with human authority that appealed to Jared's new subservient desire to please. Even as he tried to convince himself he didn't want it, his hind legs launched a sit. He looked up at his former human body and tried not to wiggle with excitement.
"Good, boy," the impostor said and flipped the treat through the air.
Jared caught it mid-air and snapped down on the delicious treat that sent doggy dopamine surging through his canine system. The first raindrops sent the impostor scurrying back to the warm, dry house.
Jared felt rotten, like a guy who cheated with a junk food splurge for a third time while trying to stick to a healthy diet, as he chewed the treat. The appetizing morsel lost its appeal and turned to tasteless chalk.
The rain began to pour harder and he wedged himself as deeply in the open doghouse as he could manage. He wasn't sure if raindrops or tears moistened the fringe of hair in front of his eyes, but inside he definitely cried as he contemplated the indifference of the impostor to his plight.