8. Into the Darkness

8 INTO THE DARKNESS As soon as the bell rang for recess, Sam went looking for Mr. Nekobi. He spotted him outside the janitor's closet. Sam watched Mr. Nekobi open the closet door. Mr. Nekobi looked both ways down the hall, like he was afraid he was being watched. Then, very slowly, the old man reached into the dark closet. He grabbed hold of a dim, swinging light bulb. Mr. Nekobi tugged twice on the light bulb.

BRUMMMMMMM! There was a low rumbling noise as the rear wall of the closet began to move. A secret door! Sam thought. Mr. Nekobi stepped through. Sam swallowed. Sweat was pouring off his brow. He needed to know the truth about Eerie Elementary. This was his chance. Sam darted across the hall. He closed the closet door behind him. Then he leapt through the secret doorway.

Sam found himself in a large room with punching bags, pieces of old lockers, and school chairs with three legs. The room was dark. It smelled wet. "Sam Graves," Mr. Nekobi said. "I've been waiting for—" Sam cut him off. "What happened last night? And how is everything back to normal today? I know I didn't imagine all that stuff!" Mr. Nekobi said, "You imagined nothing. Place your hand against the wall, Sam, and focus." Sam frowned. "You're nuts."

"Do you want to know the truth or not?" Mr. Nekobi said. Sam sighed, then placed his palm against the cool brick wall. The room grew quiet. Then, he heard it: the soft sound of air blowing. And he felt it: The wall was gently swaying. It was the school. The school was breathing.

Sam backed away from the wall." Wh-what's happening?" he stuttered. Mr. Nekobi walked toward Sam. As his face passed through the shadows, he looked almost inhuman. "Eerie Elementary is... alive," Mr. Nekobi said. Sam shook his head. "That can't be. That's impossible!" Mr. Nekobi continued, "This school is a living, breathing thing. It is a beast. A monster. And there is only one person who can keep its students safe." "Who?" Sam asked softly. Mr. Nekobi stooped down until he was face-to-face with Sam. "You, Sam Graves— the hall monitor."