16. So Long, Orson Eerie

SO LONG, ORSON EERIE 16 The hall monitors looked down. The sash was limp and lifeless. Sam bent to pick it up. His fingers grazed the fabric. "Ow!" he cried. "It's hot!" Lucy opened the glass box. She carefully pushed the sash inside without touching it. And like that, the battle was over.

Hundreds of faces stared at Sam, Lucy, and Antonio. Parents, teachers, students, and townspeople had all seen them defeat mad scientist Orson Eerie. Mr. Nekobi approached. He patted Sam on the shoulder, then turned to the crowd. "I hope you enjoyed tonight's haunted house, all the incredibly realistic special effects, and your three amazing guides!" No one seemed to know what to say. Everyone was stunned.

An unexpected sound broke the silence: applause. Jasper had refused to set foot on school grounds for months, but he was there now! And he was clapping for the hall monitors. Soon, everyone clapped. Principal Winik stepped forward. "That was VERY bizarre— but I do believe this haunted house was the best Eerie Day haunted house EVER! Please... another round of applause for Mr. Nekobi's special effects and for your guides!"

Mr. Nekobi and the hall monitors stood together. Sam waved awkwardly to his mom. Finally, the crowd headed home. Sam saw Principal Winik speaking to Jasper. Jasper was smiling and nodding. Sam guessed Jasper might soon be a full-time teacher at Eerie Elementary. "I'll take my box," Mr. Nekobi said. "It's all yours!" Antonio replied, smiling. He handed it over.

"Congratulations, hall monitors. You've done what I could never do. You've defeated Orson Eerie once and for all," Mr. Nekobi said. "Let's head inside and put this box somewhere safe." The three friends followed Mr. Nekobi inside. The school's walls, the lockers, and the ceiling all seemed brighter. It was as if the school had been sick, but now it was healthy again. "And that's that," Mr. Nekobi said. He placed the box inside the trophy cabinet.

Mr. Nekobi looked at Sam. Sam sensed there were many things the old man wanted to tell him. But instead, Mr. Nekobi smiled softly and turned. He walked slowly down the long hall— then disappeared around the corner. Gone. With Orson Eerie finally defeated, the hall monitors' work was done. Sam shared a look with Antonio and Lucy. He felt like he should say something— but what? "So, um... The past year has been, well..." Lucy scrunched up her forehead. "Scary? Weird? Strange? Fun?" Antonio laughed. "How about... all of the above?"