Zak woke up the next morning to an oddly quiet house. Not quiet like when Doyle and Van Rook were gone, but a soft hushed mumble he didn't understand that they obviously didn't want him to hear. Zak slid on his slippers and made his way down stairs. He moved almost silently. He leaned close to the door that they were on the other side of.

"It's not possible," said Van Rook.

"But if what the kid said is true," said Doyle.

"You give him too much credit. It was probably a dream."

"I saw the glass shards. He wasn't even cut. If he punched that glass most of it would be outside. But all of it was in his bedroom. Something did attack him."

"And did you actually see it?"

"I saw a footprint outback that looks like the Saturday's fuzzy pet."

"This… is most unfortunate. We'll have to move. Before they can strike again."

Zak was leaning into the door so much it swung open and he landed at their feet. Van Rook picked him up by the back of his collar. Zak gave a sheepish smile.

"So…, uh…, how'd you sleep?" asked Zak.

"Quite soundly till you're idiotic uncle," he said pointing at Doyle, "Woke me up saying that you were attacked by some beast."

"I was!"

"Well that much is obvious. But the hand of Tsul 'Kalu?" he said pulling it out. It again, just like a bird claw. But When Van Rook put it close to Zak's face it opened up slowly. Van Rook jumped in surprise.

"Crazy right?" said Doyle more saying than asking. He had a small grimace of a smile appearing on his face. He didn't seem to know weather to be amused or frightened that Van Rook jumped like that. Zak settled with nervous laughter. It was funny to see Van Rook on his butt. But it wasn't funny to see that "thing" reacting to his presence. He squirmed slightly.

"Come on old man," said Doyle pulling Van Rook to his feet. Van Rook put his hand on Zak's shoulder.

"We'll be going to our outpost in the Himalayan mountain range. Get a vacation form from your school. We'll be gone for a while."

Even though Zak didn't want like the circumstances, he was glad to able to travel with his uncles. He had a wide and carefree smile on his face.

"I'll go get dressed!" he said running up the stairs. He went into his room and pulled out a small black suitcase. He pulled out his sleeveless black turtlenecks and packed them with black cargo pants and socks. He even grabbed a few belts. Black and silver. He also grabbed bandanas and his mercenary mask. He dressed himself in a thin black long-sleeved shirt. He put on black jeans and a silvery belt. He wore black shoes with matching socks. He brought the suitcase down and handed it to Doyle. He slipped on his white backpack.

"Need a lift Zak?" asked Doyle.

"No. You told Tony the taxi guy to drive me this week," he said walking outside. Tony was one of those people you could not keep a secret from. He was also someone who would not tell secrets. He often ordered extremely exotic fruits from them. So he gave Zak rides to school. Because Doyle didn't trust school buses. Said that it was hell on wheels. But that made Zak actually want to ride one. But Tony was good company. He walked outside to see a red and black taxi.

"Hey Tony," said Zak.

"Hey! Zak-ster! The Zak-inator! White star!" he yelled. Zak smiled.

"Shut up," he said getting into the cab. He placed his bag at his feet.

"I thought you liked being called White star," said Tony.

"No. But you always call me that."

"That's because you have the perfect white star on your forehead," he said poking his forehead as he pulled out of their long driveway.

"Came from genetics," said Zak grabbing the very end of the longest part of his white hair between his index finger and thumb.

"From strangers," said Tony.

"Well, yeah. I only know I met my mom because she brought me into this world. But Doyle and Rook were the ones who've raised me. Well, I guess you too."

"Me?"

"Yeah. When Doyle and Van Rook aren't around, you're the only person who ever takes time out of their day to come check up on me," said Zak. He could feel his face get slightly warmer. Tony laughed.

"Aw, wittle Zakie twying to be a big boy?" he asked in a baby voice. Zak's face went from slightly flushed to a brilliant scarlet.

"Shut up!"

When they finally pulled up to the school Zak stepped out. His face hot with embarrassment. His backpack in hand he walked into the school. People parted away from him as he walked down the hall toward the office. People acted as if he had his own imaginary bubble. Except for one person. A girl.

"Zak!" yelled a familiar voice. Zak turned his head to see Wadi running up to him.

"What do you want?"

"The hand."

"I don't have it."

"Liar."

"I don't have it. It's creepy," he said walking into the principal's office.

"Yes?" said the secretary.

"I need a vacation form."

She reached into her desk and pulled out a yellow form.

"Get it signed by all of your teachers."

"Yes sir."

He left to see Wadi waiting. He glanced around. People weren't looking directly at them but they were sneaking glances.

"Give it back."

"I can't give back what I don't have," which was true. His uncles had it, not him.

"Fine. But you have to help me find it."

"Why I didn't lose it!"

"Because I don't want to be blamed for something I didn't do!"

"And if you did do it?"

"I'd take responsibility for it with a laugh obviously."

Zak felt strange with her acting like that. Admitting you did a criminal act punishable by law with a laugh? She was crazier than Argost. He wanted to say that aloud but he knew better than to say that to a regular customer for his family. Because the regulars knew about Argost. Zak walked to class. Wadi followed. He refused to put his mind so he would think they were walking together. She was the one following him. And that was her business.

That's all for now. Review.