Lance was stunned into silence for several seconds. He found the courage to speak. "Cody Hunter," he whispered menacingly, "Nice surprise." Cody laughed. "Is it though? Boy Lance, you’ll never appreciated the joy I felt when I located Nsync. I’ve wished to be a part of a sensational boy band for years. Nsync was a short cut to escape hard work and possibility of failure. Because I have a bass voice, I need your slot. I remembered the ring. Opportunity rearing its ugly green head. Wouldn’t it be a waste to pass up opportunity?" Angry tears stung Lance’s eyelids. "I was your friend, Cody. We had a great time. Traitor!" Lance recalled Anna’s first warning: change doesn’t always bring good intentions. She was referring to his new friend. He studied Cody’s features. He and Anna did share family resemblance. Cody ran his fingers through his wavy black hair. "Please, don’t call me Cody. Cody Hunter was my stage name, so to speak. My birth name is Malachi Zether. Doesn’t a name like that scream invincibility?" Malachi laughed cruelly. He is sure I don’t have a prayer of beating him. Watch me, Lance said under his breath. "That’s right," Malachi agreed, "You don’t have a prayer of beating me. Your mind belongs to me, Lance, therefore I can hear everything you say in your head and anticipate your battle moves prematurely." Lance clenched his fists till the knuckles grew white. "GIVE ME MY MIND BACK!"
Chris, Joey, J.C., and Justin hurriedly changed clothes backstage. They wanted to arrive at the hotel in time to wish Lance good luck. Justin spotted a clock. They were very unaware of how late it was. "Crud," he grumbled, "11:59 p.m. Lance is definitely on the beach by now with that evil monster, whoever he is." "I don’t know if you could classify the Mind Stealer as being human. Say whatever instead of whoever." "Don’t bother me with details." Chris put on his hat. "Did Anna and Cody go with Lance to help him fight the Mind Stealer?" J.C. splashed water on his face. "Let’s hope so. I’ve got a bad feeling about the whole fight. I’m sure it’s a set-up."
Anna paced the lounge restlessly. She wanted to spit on Malachi when she saw him glide into the lounge earlier, practically gloating. She deserved an Oscar rating her outstanding performance as Malachi/Cody’s friend rather than foe. Anna kicked the brown bag aside. A necklace fell out. She studied it closely. Her emotions roller-coastered from stupidity to alarm. "How could I be such a moron?!" She shouted to nobody in particular, "The amulet containing the contradicting charm is red, not amethyst. I switched the necklaces and gave Lance the wrong amulet!"
