Zach has arranged with the Oklahoma MacDonald’s to put sleeping powder in one of their meals that the crooks pick up every day…

The two crooks opened the packages and began to eat. Zach’s stomach growled with hunger, even though he knew the food had been doctored. Can’t let myself eat any of that stuff! he thought. Hurry up and fall over, Kingy, dear!

Rat, being smaller, was the first to feel the effects of the drug. “Man, am I sleepy! I’ll be glad when this job’s over.”

The king gave a shout and rose out of his chair. “This slop’s been drugged! Why you…” The word was choked off as he fell across the table on top of an already sleeping Rat.

Zach dropped the shovel and ran to the table. He pulled out the small knife Angari had given him the night before and quickly cut the cord holding the pouch. Without actually touching the pouch, he removed it from the king’s neck. Instantly Angari was there and they were lifting above the Barrier Wood.

“Hold on tight!” shouted Angari. “This is going to be fast!”

They flew at tremendous speed to a point just above the River Brook gate. Zach felt the pouch swinging and heard a vicious scream coming from it.

“Don’t touch the pouch if you can help it!” Angari called to Zach. But Zach saw a small flame begin to burn in the bottom of the leather bag and knew the amulet would fall out if he did not grab it.

“I have to Angari!” He clasped the pouch with his left hand and felt a searing heat. Gritting his teeth, he kept it closed, but could not hold back a cry of pain. “Help me, Angari!”

Suddenly they were back in the park by Zach’s house. Angari took the pouch from Zach and wrapped it in his tunic. Immediately the burning stopped and the screaming ceased. “The demon has been rendered impotent for a time.” Angari examined Zach’s hand. It was raw and bleeding where the amulet had touched it and on the back the jackal’s head was outlined in red welts. “We cannot tend to this yet, Zach, but I have a balm that will take away the pain.” He produced it and smeared some on Zach’s palm. The pain changed from unbearable to a dull ache. “Now, we have to find a volcano, and quickly. Do you know where to go?”