4. Fecess Reasoning

RECESS REASONING 4 Sam, Lucy, and Antonio huddled together on the tetherball court at recess. They were far away from the other students. They needed to talk serious business. "The school has never attacked in such a risky way. And it's never given up so easily," Sam said as he hit the tetherball. "Why now?" "Orson must be starving!" Antonio said. He smacked the ball back.

Lucy dodged the fast swinging ball, then hit it toward Antonio. "If the school is that hungry," Lucy said, "a big attack is definitely coming." That sent a chill down Sam's spine. He hit the ball HARD as the bell rang. Then he followed his friends back to class. Sam was terrified. Orson Eerie was no longer hiding his hunger! That made the monstrous school even more dangerous... The afternoon seemed to drag on forever. RING! At last, the final bell rang. Sam and his friends stepped outside. The fourth and fifth graders had begun building the hayride. Some kids moved huge bales of hay. Others set up decorations. Two students drove a small tractor that pulled a wooden wagon.

"Principal Winik asked me to stay until they finish building the hayride," Sam said. "We'll stay, too," Lucy offered. "Happy to help!" Antonio added. Sam laughed. "I can handle this, guys. It'll be a cinch!" But soon after his friends left, Sam wished they had stayed. He studied the hayride nervously, searching for any sign of Orson Eerie. But all seemed quiet.

By the time the fourth and fifth graders finished the hayride, the sun was setting. Sam waited to make sure no one stayed behind. Then he set out. He was walking across the soccer field when he heard a loud creaking. He looked over at the school. Two jack-o'- lanterns flickered in the windows like eyes. The school is watching me, Sam thought. I'm getting out of here— now! The shortest route was through the hayride's path. Straw crunched beneath Sam's feet. Bales of hay towered over him. Wind whipped down the path. Sam jammed his hands into his pockets and walked faster. But soon, he came upon the tractor and wagon. They blocked the path.

That's weird, Sam thought. The students put the tractor and wagon away... His stomach felt tight. He turned back the way he'd come. I'd rather take the long way than pass those creepy things. KA-KLANK! Sam looked behind him. The wagon had unhitched itself from the tractor. Its wheels were starting to turn! A wagon can't move without a tractor and without someone driving that tractor! he thought. The wagon was alive! And it was coming for Sam!