9. Hero

9 HERO? In a strange, hidden room, this man was telling Sam that the school was alive? And that he was supposed to keep everyone safe? He couldn't believe it. "I, too, was a hall monitor," said Mr. Nekobi. "Eerie Elementary's first hall monitor. And since then, I have been here to fight the school and protect the students. But now I am old and weak. And the school knows it. The school knows that now is the time to strike. It is planning something big."

Sam collapsed in a chair. There were goose bumps all over his body. "But how can the school be alive? I don't understand." "The source of the school's power is a mystery," Mr. Nekobi said. "But I know this: It is evil. It feeds on students, and it has not fed in a long time. It is hungry...." Sam's heart was pounding. Mr. Nekobi continued, "As hall monitor,

you have the ability to sense the school— to see and feel and hear what others cannot. But you must be careful, because the school can sense you, too. It has attacked you twice already. It knows you are its enemy." Sam gulped. Mr. Nekobi said softly, "You must be our hero now, Sam Graves." Do I have it in me? Sam wondered.

Sam thought about the quicksand and the tree and the lockers. What if that had happened to Lucy or Antonio? The school could have eaten them! And if the school is planning something big, then my friends are in danger... Sam turned to Mr. Nekobi and said, "Okay. I'll do what I must." Mr. Nekobi smiled. "Good." "So now what?" asked Sam. "Now you begin your training," said Mr. Nekobi. He yanked on a filthy white sheet, uncovering what looked to be a large metal monster. Then he walked back out through the secret door, leaving Sam all alone— or so he thought.