Meanwhile, Oogie, unable to find Lock, Shock, and Barrel, was forced to stop searching. The social worker, who had left by that time (she waited for hours, Oogie forgot about her), left a note on the door.
‘Mr. Boogie, your failure to present the children has forced me to report you to my superiors. Having worked with Lock, Shock, and Barrel for a while now I understand how hard they are to control (I don’t know how you stand it), however it is my duty to make sure they are being properly being taken care of. You have to the end of the week to present them.’
Oogie: (to himself) What am I going to do? Where would those three have gone?
Then Oogie thought, ‘Of course! To another holiday. But if they went to another holiday I can’t just go and get them (Oogie can’t fit through the doors).’ Oogie was going to need help to find them, but who? He was not going to ask Jack. But not many others would help him, and even Jack would only help because he wouldn’t want Lock, Shock, and Barrel loose in the other holidays. No, no one would help him except maybe…No, Oogie thought, I can’t ask her.
When Lock, Shock, and Barrel reentered the house, they found the Beldam waiting for them. Again she looked different, taller and paler. The fingers of her right hand tapped endlessly against the wall. Her smile was wide as if laughing at an inside joke.
Beldam: I see you’ve come back.
Shock: Where did you think we’d go?
Beldam: You said you wanted to go home, but I’m glad you changed your mind.
Lock: We haven’t changed our minds, now cut the crap lady, where’s the key?
Beldam: Key? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Barrel: You’re kidding right?
Beldam: (innocently) If you want to leave you’re free to go, but I was rather hoping you’d stay. Wouldn’t you like to stay? Barrel you could ride your bike. And Shock, wouldn’t you like to try on the clothes I made for you? And I was thinking of making snake and spider stew for lunch. Isn’t that your favorite?
L, S, & B looked away from the Beldam. They didn’t know what to say, they wanted those things very much, but after seeing the missing forest they didn’t trust her anymore. However, they couldn’t exactly leave. They were stuck. That’s when Shock noticed something. Peeking out of the Beldam’s blouse was a chain. That got Shock thinking, what if the key’s around her neck? It made sense, and that gave Shock an idea of how they could get out of there. But first She was going to have to get away from the Beldam long enough to tell Lock and Barrel.
Shock: (with a fake smile) I suppose that does sound like fun. We could stay a bit longer.
Barrel: But I thought…
Shock: Come on, let’s go and play.
Shock then dragged the very confused Lock and Barrel to her room. She checked the hallway to make sure that they hadn’t been followed then closed the door.
Lock: What the heck Shock?
Barrel: Yeah, one minute you beg us to leave, the next you drag us back.
Shock: Guys, listen to me. I think I know how to get out of here.
Barrel: How?
Shock: You know the key the cat was talking about? I think I know where it is. The Beldam had a chain tucked under her shirt. I’d bet anything that’s where it is.
Lock: Makes sense, but how are we going to get it if it’s around her neck?
Barrel: Maybe we could wait until she falls asleep and take it.
Shock: I suppose, but does the Beldam sleep?
Lock: And this place is huge and we don’t know where her room is.
Barrel: It was just a suggestion.
Shock: Well, I have a different idea. You know that pick pocketing trick where you bump into someone and steal their wallet?
Lock: Oh yeah. And the one where you shake their hand and steal their watch.
Barrel: What about it?
Shock: I was thinking, one of us could maybe…well…one of us could give her a hug or something and take the chain.
Lock: Sounds like a plan to me. I volunteer Barrel for the job.
Barrel: Why do I have to do it? What about Shock? It was her idea.
Shock: But I’m not good at that trick. She’d realize what I was doing. Why don’t you do it Lock? You’re best at stealing.
Barrel: Yeah Lock, why don’t you do it?
Lock did not like the way this was going.
Lock: I don’t hug.
Barrel: How about we vote on it? All in favor of Lock doing it say ‘aye’.
Shock & Barrel: Aye!
Lock: I object!
Barrel: Sorry Lock, You’ve been outvoted.
Lock: Can’t we draw straws on it?
Barrel: (mockingly) Come on Lock, just one little hug…
Shock: But you have to make it seem natural.
Lock: I DON’T HUG.
Barrel: There’s a first time for everything.
Shock: Would you rather stay here forever?
Lock would have continued arguing, but he knew a lost cause when he saw it. But he supposed there were perks to this plan, he got more time with his room and they were staying for lunch. As promised, the Beldam had made snake and spider stew. She made it even better than Oogie. They were almost tempted to stay just for the food, but they forced themselves to stay focused. I helped that, as at breakfast, she had placed the boxes next to their plates. Shock noticed the Beldam never ate, but rather watched as they ate. It bothered her the way she watched them though she tried to maintain her content façade.
It came close to time. They were almost finished with their food. She heard Lock begin his complements. Like most devils Lock could be quite charming when he wanted to be. Shock could barely hear them, she was too nervous. What if the key wasn’t there? What if the Beldam caught them before they could escape? Shock had not yet seen the Beldam angry, but she could guess it wouldn’t be pretty. Then the moment of truth. She glanced away as Lock put his arms around the Beldam.
Beldam: So, does this mean you’ve decided to stay here with me?
Lock: Actually, I think we’ll be leaving now.
Lock held up a key. L, S, & B ran to the door. While Lock fumbled with the key Shock looked over her shoulder. She had expected the Beldam to be chasing them, but instead she walked slowly, smiling her strange smile. Shock felt a pit rise in her stomach.
Barrel: Open it already!
Lock: It won’t turn!
Beldam: Looking for this?
They all looked in horror at the Beldam who held up the real key. It was Shock’s nightmare as she stared at the simple black, skeleton key, with the button shaped handle. Shock felt the tears run down her face as the Beldam chuckled.
Beldam: Thought you could run away from me did you?
.................................................................................
Oh no! A cliff hanger! Will Lock, Shock, and Barrel ever escape?
