13. Pump the Brakes!

PUMP THE BRAKES! 13 In an instant, the entire tour group was racing toward the exit. It was a stampede. "This way!" Antonio cried, as he flung open the door. The group raced outside to safety. Then— KLANG! The door LEAPT from Antonio's hand and snapped shut. He tugged— but it wouldn't budge.

"Come on! We can escape out the main exit," Sam cried, pulling his friends down another hallway. The pumpkin charged after the hall monitors. Sam raced down the long halls. If they could just stay ahead of the monstrous pumpkin... But WHAM! BAM! The huge pumpkin slammed into Lucy and Antonio. They were knocked to the side. Sam wanted to run back to them. But he couldn't because the pumpkin was still barreling toward him!

Finally, Sam threw himself into the exit doors. He felt his sash tremble. Orson was growing weaker. Weak enough that KLANG! The doors opened! Sam stumbled down the school steps. He saw people watching. Everyone could see what was happening! The monstrous pumpkin bounced down the steps after Sam. Sam scurried backward. "You won't win, Orson."

"Creating more hall monitors was clever, Sam Graves," Orson said. "But without Lucy and Antonio, you cannot overpower me. You are strong— but not strong enough! Mr. Nekobi was a better hall monitor than you!" A thought sprang into Sam's head. Mr. Nekobi's sash! Sam reached into his bag and yanked out the box Mr. Nekobi had given him that morning.

The pumpkin flinched. It rolled to a stop. "What is that?" Orson asked. Sam opened the box and grabbed the old sash. It felt warm in his hands. There was power in its threads. Sam could feel it making him stronger! The monster's glowing eyes flashed with anger. Then its huge mouth opened wide. Sam felt Orson's hot breath on his face. He closed his eyes and braced for the bite!