They both heard the door open and close downstairs. They didn't remain in suspense for long.
"Kev, do you have the dog in the house?" The impostor called out in the voice of Kevin's older brother. "You know Mom hates him being in the house."
Kev and Jared listened to the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs. The steps got louder as the impostor walked the hallway and stopped outside Kevin's room. He rapped twice at the door, but opened it without waiting for a response.
He found Kevin on the bed, a laptop computer placed on the covers in front of him, with the furry sheepdog sprawled on the covers at the foot of the bed.
The impostor frowned at the dog, but then offered a pleasant face to his brother. "What are you doing, Kev?"
Kev looked him in the eye. "I'm still researching ways to protect you from that Wepwawet guy."
The impostor produced some strained laughter. "Oh, that. I don't think we have to worry about him."
"Everything I'm learning about him suggests he's a bad character," Kevin said, while the entire time Jared played dumb at the foot of the bed.
The impostor stepped closer and took the laptop into his hands. "I'm feeling fine," he said firmly. "I think if that what's-his-name was going to work some voodoo on me, we would know it by now."
Without his own computer, Kevin knew he would be at a disadvantage in helping Jared. "Can't I just..."
The impostor cut him off. "Sorry, but I need the laptop to do some homework."
Jared barked once from the foot of the bed, but it prompted a different response than expected. The impostor tucked the laptop under an arm and grabbed the dog's collar. "That reminds me," he said with a disapproving look. "Do you want to get us into trouble with Mom?"
"No," Kevin answered, "but..."
"I'll just take Shaggy back outside for you," the impostor said.
Jared resisted the pull on the collar, but the impostor spoke in an authoritative tone. "Shaggy, come," he said, taking steps toward the door.
Despite a reluctance on the part of his human self, Jared found his new doggie instincts and urges gaining the upper hand and allowing him no leeway in disobeying commands from his human masters. Kevin watched in surprise as the dog fell into line and obediently followed the impostor out the door.
The impostor remained silent until he had fastened Jared to the lead anchored in the ground near the doghouse. "Did you notice how easily you obeyed me?" The impostor asked when he broke his silence.
Jared whimpered, and the impostor continued. "I'm performing without difficulty as a human being," he said. "I am just trusting my human instincts."
Jared whimpered again. "I demand you give me my body back," he barked.
The impostor laughed. "Demand is it?"
Jared lost some of his confidence as his former body frowned down at him. "It's mine," he barked in argument.
"Not any longer," the impostor said. "Your days of demanding anything from anyone are over. Soon, the best you'll be able to do is beg and grovel at my feet for one of those tasty dog treats."
Arf! Arf! "That will be the day!"
The impostor smiled and said a single word. "Sit!"
To his dismay, Jared found his sheepdog form complying immediately.
"Good dog."
Jared whined.
"Let's part friends," the impostor said. "Shake!"
He extended his hand and grinned as the sheepdog raised a paw. The impostor pumped the paw and then let the sheepdog drop its foreleg back to the ground.
"See what I mean?"
Jared barked in protest, but he was immediately silenced when the impostor said "Hush!"
The panicked look in the sheepdog's eyes told the impostor all he needed to know. "So, I believe we understand each other?" The impostor said slowly, as if addressing a child. "I'm the master, and you're the dog. Is that clear?"
Jared whimpered and refused to submit.
The impostor didn't fret. He had saved his most effective demonstration for last. "Speak," he commanded.
No! Jared fought against it, but the dog's instincts won and he produced an obedient, if lame, Arf! Arf!
"That's better," the impostor said.
When he left, the message sank deeper into Jared's brain. The one who held the leash held all the cards. He slumped on the ground and tried to rest. He had one hope. Kevin might still find a way to help him.